Page 210 of My Ruthless Husband

“No, Damian. I’m done.”

“I’m not!” He growls. “I will never divorce you.”

I wipe my tears, nodding quietly. “That’s okay, like I said.”

He jerks forward suddenly, his hand wrapping around my nape, pulling me roughly against him. “It’s not okay for me,” he says, his voice raw with emotion.

I nod, finally understanding. “I’m just like your habit. It’s tough to break, but you’ll get used to it.” The words cut me as they leave my mouth, and I can no longer hold back the flood of tears that fall freely now. There’s no point in trying to stop them.

“I’ll never let you go, angel.” He cradles my face in his hands.

“You don’t have me to let go of now.” I close my eyes, the words sharper than knives, each one more painful than the last. “Would you leave?” I ask, my voice trembling. “Please.”

The silence stretches for what feels like forever before I feel his lips gently press against my forehead. Like it’s a goodbye. I don’t open my eyes. His kiss lingers for a moment before he pulls away.

The second the door closes behind him, I crumble. My knees give out beneath me, and I collapse to the floor, violent sobs wracking my body. I let it all out—every last shred of pain, every ounce of the love that has been suffocating me.

It’s truly over.

???

The morning air is sharp as I step out of the cottage. The narrow streets are bathed in the soft glow of the sun as I walk, clutching my coat tighter.

My swollen eyes hurt from all the crying and lack of sleep.

It’s just been a day since Damian barged into my life once again, and yet, the image of him standing in my doorway still clings to me like the smell of smoke after a fire.

I push the thought away. I can’t afford to think of him now. I’ve spent too long building this new life for myself. Too long hiding in this cottage, hoping that one day I could forget the man who somehow still has pieces of my soul, even after everything.

When I reach the flower shop, I take a deep breath. The tiny bell above the door rings as I step inside and quickly immerse myself in work.

It’s an hour after I arrived when the tiny bell rings again. I turn around to greet the customer but lose my smile the moment I see Damian.

My heart stutters in my chest, but I whirl back, giving him my back and continue arranging the flowers, pretending I don’t feel the way his gaze presses against my back.

I thought after yesterday, he’d stay away for good. That I wouldn’t have to face him again. But here he is, and I don’t know what to make of it. Once again, he’s managed to catch me off guard.

“River.” His voice is soft.

I keep my focus on the flowers. “I’m busy,” I reply, not meeting his eyes, not allowing myself to show even an ounce of weakness.

Silence. For the briefest of moments, I wonder if he’s actually going to walk away. But no.

I hear his footsteps behind me, growing closer with each passing second. I can feel his breath on my skin, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

“Please, look at me, angel.” His voice is so soft, barely audible, but still cutting through the calm of the shop like a knife. And he’s sayingpleaseagain. It sends a shiver through me.

I turn, but my eyes never meet his. “You’re wasting your time,” I say, the words harsher than I intended. But I can’t stop them. I won’t let him think for a second that I care anymore.

But still, he doesn’t leave. He keeps standing there.

“Will you, for once, do something for me?” I snap.

No response. But then, I hear the familiar chime of the bell, indicating that he left.

All day, I feel his eyes on me. Every step I take, every move I make, I know it’s Damian. I know he’s watching. But I don’t see him anywhere. His eyes follow me everywhere, even as the sun dips below the horizon. It doesn’t let up until I’m back at the cottage, closing the door behind me.

Mrs. Hawthorne had finally returned, and I wasted no time confronting her about Damian. Her response was maddening. With a calm demeanor, she explained that she thought she was helping me, that a husband and wife shouldn’t let one argument drive them apart. She went on to tell me Damian had come looking for me when I was at the flower shop and had asked for her help to make things right with his wife.

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