Page 79 of Hidden Vows
Grace was so happy about getting pregnant, and she saw how happy Edward was at the idea of having a daughter that shebelieved everything would get better. But of course, that didn’t happen.
Grace never said it, but she didn’t have to. After my mother died, my father leaned heavily on Grace for support, and when Edward witnessed that support, his jealousy grew. Edward loved Grace so much and feared losing her to another man that he internalized everything so much he couldn’t let anyone else into his heart—especially his daughter for fear he’d lose her too.
And after all the threats Edward threw my way, I can’t help but agree.
I don’t think it would’ve mattered what man tried to be a part of Abbey’s life, Edward was always going to find a way to come between them. But being the son of the man he thought would steal his wife definitely didn’t help.
“I don’t know what I can do or say to make you believe me”—Abbey’s hand smooths down my back, giving me the strength to continue—“but I swear to you, if you want it, you will always be a part of our life.”
Edward’s eyes shift to Abbey and for a split second I see the love shine through, but it’s gone in the blink of an eye and then he’s spinning on his heel, marching out of the room.
thirty-six
ABBEY
“What am I gonna do?”I ask no one in particular.
I can’t believe he pulled out of the contract.
I can’t believe he just walked out the door without saying anything.
I can’t believe some of the things he said to me.
“How am I supposed to pay George?” I gasp, turning to look at Jude.
“Don’t worry about that for a second.” Jude takes my hand in his, keeping my attention on him. “I’ve got it covered.”
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
Jude has more than enough money to cover this, but that’s asking too much—especially with everything else going on. I know we just had a big conversation about what our future holds—the two of us together, raising our baby—but that doesn’t mean all of my problems become his. Or at least it shouldn’t.
“You didn’t. I offered.”
“Jude—”
“Wait,” Ave interrupts. “Sorry, but why isn’t your dad paying George like the contract says?” She steps forward, her hand landing on my shoulder and squeezing.
“He said he was pulling out of the contract. Something about a morality clause.”
She shakes her head, a look of confusion crossing her face. “That’s not how that works.”
The door swings open, Declan, Gage, and Caleb stepping into the kitchen with the rest of us.
“Number one, I don’t remember seeing a morality clause in the contract—I never would have let you sign that. Number two, what in the world is he saying you did to break this imaginary morality clause?”
“It doesn’t matter,” Jude interrupts. “What’s mine is yours. I have more than enough to take care of this.”
“Jude—”
“I don’t want any more hidden vows,” he shouts, and I step back as if the words are a physical blow.
“You’re it for me. You always have been.” His voice quiets as he takes a step toward me, erasing the space I created, and ignoring the audience surrounding us. “You always will be.” He reaches out, cupping my cheeks and wiping at the tears I don’t realize are tracking down my face. “And I want the world to know it.”
I hiccup, trying to keep even more tears from falling from my eyes. He’s shown me over and over again since he’s come home how important I am to him, but it’s not until this moment it finally clicks.
All the coffees, the talks, the little moments, the big ones. His reaction to the news about the baby, his love and excitement for the future. Every single thing this man has done since he walked back into my life has been in an effort to prove to me I’ve always been in his heart.
“I love you, Abbey. So much it physically hurts sometimes.” His voice cracks, and I see him swallow before he continues. “These last seventeen years have been hell for me, and I hate that they’ve been even worse for you.”
