Page 121 of Vengeful Union

I groan and stand up, dressing quickly in a one-piece swimsuit and a pair of shorts. I plan on doing a few laps. Hopefully, it’ll keep my mind off everything.

I guess Rory may still be in my life peripherally, since his sister is married to Declan. But I almost think that will be worse, just seeing him on holidays, maybe at my nephew’s birth. I wonder how it will feel, seeing him a couple of times a year. I wonder if whatever he feels for me will still be there if we don’t get to see each other.

I take a deep breath, pushing away those thoughts. I head downstairs, and Raquel’s in the kitchen, eating eggs and toast.

“The chef decided to stay,” she tells me, sliding an empty plate toward me. “Thank God. I can’t cook for shit.”

I laugh, sitting across from her and filling my plate with a spoonful of scrambled eggs, a piece of toast, and a couple slices of bacon.

“I’m glad you decided to stay, too.” I smile at her while I take a bite of my toast.

She shrugs. “I don’t really have anywhere else to go right now.”

I gape at her. “What about your wife?”

“We’re not exactly on speaking terms.” She picks at her eggs. “Got in a fight a few days ago, and she won’t take my calls.”

“Oh, man. What happened? You seemed so happy.”

“I was. She wasn’t.”

She’s still looking down at her plate, poking around the eggs.

“Raquel.” I take her hand across the table. “You can talk to me. I’m here for you.”

For now, I think, but I don’t say it. It's not the right time to complain to her.

She looks up at me. “She didn’t want me working for Niall. She always said he took advantage of me, of my kindness, and maybe she was right.” She sighs. “And I’d tell her that if she’d just talk to me.”

“Maybe she just needs some time.”

Raquel nods, still looking down in the dumps.

“If it makes you feel any better, I’m moving in with my family again,” I say miserably.

She pouts. “Why would that make me feel better? You’re my only friend.”

“I don’t want to go.” I finish my breakfast and sip coffee, hoping that the caffeine might perk me up a little.

“Then why are you going?”

I shrug. “That's always been the plan. Rory and I only got married to protect me from Niall, and well, I don’t need that protection anymore.”

“Rory’s crazy about you.”

My eyes shoot up from my plate to hers. “He is?”

She snorts. “Please. It’s obvious. I’ve already told you he has feelings for you.”

“He does. I know he does, but I don’t know if It's enough.”

“Have you asked him?”

I shake my head, flushing. “I’m too afraid of what he’ll say.”

“Well, there you go. Rory probably thinks you don’t want to stay.”

“That’s crazy. Of course, I want to stay with him.”

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