Page 28 of What Haunts the Heart
I swallowed the emotion rising in my throat. It was now or never.
“I do. I can’t leave him again, Claire. I don’t want to. I want to be happy. Hell, I want usbothto be happy and that won’t happen back home. We’ll end up miserable and hating each other. I don’t want that.” I took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. “I think you already know what I’m going to say, but… I don’t think I can go through with the wedding. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry.” Her smile was kind, one without judgment. She ran her fingers over the stubble on my jawbone, like she had so many times before, then leaned up on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek.
“It’s okay. I knew before we ever came here, that we wouldn’t be going back. I want to be happy, too, Oak. Getting away from the pressure of my family, it got me thinking about what I really want in life. This little getaway has been the most exciting, fun two weeks of my entire life and that’s sad. I deserve more. I deservethis.Your family is so welcoming. They’ve made me feel right at home, and Lani…” A blush crept up her neck. “Maybe someday, I’ll wear her mark, like you’re wearing Eden’s. I like her a lot.”
“I know.” I hugged her again, squeezing a little bit tighter before letting go.
Nibbling on her bottom lip, Claire slowly twisted the slim, golden engagement ring off her finger and held it out in her palm. For a moment, we both stared down at the diamond-encrusted band that had tied our lives together for so long.
I took it from her and tucked it into my pocket. “Thank you.”
“No, thankyou.This is for us,” she said, although her blue eyes brimmed with unshed tears. “To a brighter, happier future for us both. I love you, Oak, and I’m so thankful to have you in my life.”
She threw her arms around my neck and I swung her around the kitchen, one last time. When I placed her back on her feet, we were both crying. She crashed into my chest with a sniffle, but they were happy tears.
I’d found my happily-ever-after in my sassy little Omega, and I had no doubt in my mind that Claire would find hers as well.
All in due time.
