Page 131 of On The Rocks

Tears sprang into my eyes again, and I swiped them away before tilting my chin up proudly. “Well, it means everything to me. Our marriage was a lie, and it remained that way because you weren’t honest with me.”

“I’m being honest now,” he said, his voice almost a vow.

I let out a humorless snort. “Only because you were caught.”

“I was gonna tell you?—”

“I don’t believe you.”

“I swear, Maeve,” he insisted. “Today, I was gonna tell you everything.”

“That’s the problem, Callum,” I whispered. “Lies weaken the power behind the truth. How can I believe a word you say anymore? How am I supposed to just ignore how much you’ve hurt me?”

“Let me make it up to you,” he pleaded. “I’ll show you.”

I looked up at his beautiful face, and it hit me soul-deep that I’d always love him. But love and trust went hand in hand. I had love, and I cherished it, but how could I be vulnerable and tell my deepest, darkest fears to a man I’d lost my faith in?

“I want you to give me an annulment,” I requested softly.

His face blanked. “No.”

“But you married me under false pretenses,” I reminded him, my voice getting pitchy again.

“No, wife, I didn’t,” he corrected. “I meant every word of my marriage vows.”

My eyes narrowed. “I can’tbelieve you.”

His expression took on a look of cockiness. “You better fucking believe it, wife. I love you, and I’m not letting you go without a fight.” His face leaned closer, and he muttered, “You’re not getting a goddamned annulment.”

I popped a hip and cocked a brow. “’Cause it’s all aboutyou, isn’t it?”

“No,” he denied. “It’s all about you, Mae. It’s all aboutus.”

“Got an answer for everything, haven’t you?” I snarked. “You think you can click your fingers, and every woman in a five-mile radius will fall on her back for you with her legs in the air. Well, you’ve met your match in me, Callum O’Shea. Agree to an annulment, or I’ll make your life a living hell.”

His mouth twisted into a stubborn line. “No.”

“Whaddyamean, no?” I shrieked. “You can’t just saynoand get your own way!”

“Can too,” he muttered. “’Cause you’re not getting a goddamned annulment.”

My tummy clenched, and my hands balled into fists. Callum O’Shea had me so damned wound up that I was surprised steam didn’t shoot out of my ears. “Screw you!” I screamed, turning and stomping toward the bedroom.

The soft laughter that followed me wrapped around my throat and squeezed so hard I could hardly think straight. A red mist descended over my eyes, and I hauled ass to the closet and dragged a large suitcase out into the bedroom.

“Fucking cretin,” I muttered under my breath, my tone turning to sarcasm. “No, he says. Likethatwill get him back into my good books.” I hauled the case on the bed and dragged the zipper open.

A growl suddenly sounded from the doorway, and Callum grated out, “You’re not leaving me, Maeve.”

I strode back to the closet and grabbed a handful of his button-down shirts still on their hangers before stomping back to the case and shoving them in. “You’re right,” I snapped, shooting him a glower. “I’m going nowhere.Youcaused this, soyoucan fecking well leave.”

“I’m not going to my mam’s,” he stated vehemently, his tone slightly panicked.

I turned to him, resting my hands on my hips. “Well, you’re not staying here either, Callum O’Shea. And if you insist on it, then I’ll go.” Turning for the dresser, I plowed my way over, tugged a drawer open, and grabbed an armful of neatly folded tees. “Your choice. What’s it going to be?”

His eyes darted between me and the suitcase, watching as my feet stamped from the dresser to the closet, then back to his luggage, and I bundled his clothes inside.

“I wanna stay and work it out, baby,” Callum choked out. “Please, don’t make me leave you.”

---