Page 56 of Twisted Fate

Cold air whipped across my face when I threw open the door. My breath caught in my throat at the sight in front of me. It wasn’t our delivery man. It was Vance.

His name left me on a stuttered breath. He gazed up at me, his haunted eyes rimmed by dark circles, his face twisted with anguish.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, too stunned to move.

“I…” he began, his voice shaky. Clearing his throat, he continued. “Can I come in?” I wanted to scream at him and slam the door in his face, but I stayed rooted to the spot.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I replied instead. He nodded as though he understood my hesitation. He had no idea.

“Delilah,” he said, his voice pained. “I-I owe you an apology. I was a bastard this weekend. You didn’t deserve that.”

My eyes widened in disbelief. I didn’t know what I expected him to say, but I certainly couldn’t have predicted that.

“I accused you of some pretty terrible things,” he continued. “And I was wrong. So damn wrong.”

“Why did you say those things?” I asked, my voice cracking.

“I thought you were wearing Sarah’s necklace. I believed you’d gone into our room and taken it.”

“I told you I didn’t do that. Why didn’t you believe me?”

“I don’t know. But I believe you now. I’m so sorry.”

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why do you believe me now?” I doubted he suddenly had an epiphany and realized I wasn’t a thief and imposter.

He glanced away, shame washing over his features. “Because I found the necklace.”

“I see.” My word hadn’t been good enough. He was so willing to believe the worst of me, he needed evidence to prove my innocence.

“I know I hurt you, and I can’t take that back, but I’d like the chance to make it up to you.”

Anger swelled in my chest, burning me from the inside. “Make it up to me? You accused me of trying to replace your dead wife.” He winced at my words, but I kept going. I wasn’t out to hurt him, but I needed to be clear why I couldn’t overlook what he’d done, how he’d destroyed me. “You thought I stole her jewelry as though I was trying to assume her identity. Even worse, you thought I did all that to try to take Charlie from you. You are the only father she’s ever known. You’ve given her a happy, healthy, stable home. I would never try to take that from her!”

“I know. I’m sorry! There’s no excuse for what I’ve done to you.” Tears welled in his eyes, and I almost broke at the sight. “You’ve been the light in my darkest days. I wouldn’t have survived the last eleven months without you. Please, come back.”

“I can’t,” I said, fighting back a sob. It hurt to deny him. I’d fallen for him so completely, it was like ripping my heart out to refuse him.

“Delilah,” he said, taking a step toward me and covering his heart, “I’m in lo—”

“Don’t! Don’t say that.” He was about to tell me he was in love with me. After tearing my character to shreds and making me feel like an imposter, that was the last thing I wanted to hear from him.

“I’m tired of being a poor man’s substitute for the woman you really want. And I won’t let anyone treat me like their backup plan anymore. I deserve to be someone’s first choice.”

“It’s not like that,” he said, taking another step toward me. Another step and he’d be within reach. Two more and he’d be right in front of me. He closed the distance, jaw set and eyes blazing with fiery determination. “It was never like that with you.” His hand came up to cup my face, and I closed my eyes as tears spilled over my lashes. I fought the urge to lean into him, to melt into his touch. Regaining my strength, I pulled away.

“The words you spoke in anger were the silent thoughts you never gave voice to.” I couldn’t look at him directly, or I would lose my resolve, so I stared down at his feet. “I’ve worked for years on regaining my self-respect, learning to love myself again. And I won’t jeopardize that for a man who thinks so little of me.”

“I don’t,” he proclaimed, and my gaze flashed to him, fury at his obvious lies licking up my spine. “I’ll admit, I did at first. Before you came to work for me, I questioned your motives. I worried that you would try to take Charlie from me now that Sarah was gone, but when I got to know you, I realized that wasn’t the case. I realized what a kind, selfless, beautiful person you are. And in the heat of the moment, when I saw you wearing that necklace, I forgot everything I knew about you. I am so very sorry for it.”

“I can forgive you. It will take time, but one day, it won’t feel like you tore my heart out and stomped it into the ground. But I can’t be with you.” A sob ripped from my throat at the declaration. “And I don’t think you’re ready to be withanyone. We rushed into things, and I think that was our downfall.” Guilt settled in my gut like a lead weight. I was partially to blame for it. I’d pushed him. I’d wanted his hungry looks. I yearned for him to touch me, to kiss me, to make me forget that another man’s hands had ever grazed my skin. Even when he tried to resist the temptation, I fought for his attention and look where that got us. “You need time to grieve and heal before you can give your heart to someone else.”

“I don’t want to give it to anyone else.” His voice was barely above a whisper. I didn’t respond. I’d said what I needed to say. It went against my nature not to try to comfort him, but this was best for both of us. He needed to work through the loss of his wife, and I needed to put myself first for once.

His watery gaze lifted to mine. “What about Charlie?” The ache in my chest nearly stole my breath, and my knees almost gave out. I had to grip the door frame to keep from losing my balance.

---