Page 185 of Divine Obsession

And there it was. The next stage. Bargaining.

“Made me think about what I could have done differently too in the relationship.”

“It’s normal to feel that.”

“Everything could have been avoided if we’d both just been honest and spoken to each other. But I didn’t. I didn’t tell him about my past, and I told myself it was because it was a sad topic. But the reality is I was ashamed. I didn’t want him to see me as weak.Ever.”

“You’ve been through a lot. It’s natural to have reservations.”

She sniffed. “But even after finding everything out, he just saw me as the strongest person he's ever known.”

“Oh, Maria…” I pulled her into my arms.

“I want to forgive him, Nat, but I know I shouldn’t.”

“Do whatever feels right to you,” I spoke sternly, holding her close.

She shook her head, pulling back, her eyes glossy. “That’s not how my brain works.”

I smiled. “What about your heart?”

Maria glanced down again at her nails, touching one of her naked wrists. Sighing, she stood. “It’s late. I’m going to get some sleep.” She stopped in the doorway. “Thank you for everything, Nat. I love you.”

A few days passed with no sign from Zach, and I was starting to get anxiety thinking of whatever grand gesture he had planned next.

Maria had already gone into the penultimate stage of a break-up. Depression.

Her new boyfriends were ice cream and bad TV. She’d done nothing but that for days and it was starting to worry me.

“Alright, that’s enough. I’m putting a lock on the freezer.”

“Oh, come on–”

“Hey!” I clapped my hands in front of her face. “This is your third tub today. Wake up!”

“You’re right. I’m a mess.” She sighed, dropping the spoon onto the coffee table.

I smiled faintly, relieved to see her admit it, even if it was a small step. “How about we go outside? Some fresh air, maybe?”

She shook her head. “Not today, Nat. Maybe tomorrow.”

I sighed and walked over to the windows, pulling back the curtains to open the balcony doors and let some fresh air into the penthouse. The city skyline glowed in the night sky, and that’s when I saw it.

“Um... Maria?”

She didn’t look up from the couch. “Yes?”

“There’s… Something on the balcony.”

Her eyes flicked up to me before turning toward the glass doors that led to the large sitting area outside. That’s when she saw him.

Zach. Standing there, hands in his pockets, his silhouette outlined by the twinkle of hundreds of fairy lights. He was dressed in a sharp, black suit, his tie slightly loosened, looking every bit the criminal-billionaire-romantic.

Behind him, fluffy blankets and pillows covered the outdoor couches. The outside coffee table with candles and a bouquet of pink roses this time.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Do you want me to tell him to leave?” I asked quietly, though part of me doubted he would.

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