Page 98 of The Vow We Made
“Which is why it was up to us to sort his affairs in a way where nobody else was hurt unnecessarily. Keeping it under wraps, we felt, was the best way forward and Evelynn has been amazing towards me, especially as I was nothing more than a mistress in the whole sordid affair. I couldn’t believe it when she generously gave me the deeds to the place I’d previously considered my home. She didn’t have to. It wasn’t rightfully mine in any way, and if I’m honest, I didn’t want any part of his lies, but she insisted. Andy had married a very wealthy woman and everything we ever had together was ultimately provided byher, although she wasn’t aware of it at the time.
I sold the house as soon as I could and not because it held too many happy memories of the man I loved. That’s what I told everyone and they bought it, but the truth was, I didn’t want anything to remind me of him and Evelynn understood my reasons completely. She gave me the means to start a new life and wanted nothing more from me than my happiness in return. She’s the bravest lady I know and has only ever handled the situation with grace and dignity.”
I note his hands fist in anger. He still isn’t satisfied with the outcome. “Is it wrong to admit if he were here now, I’d probably kill him myself?”
I hold out my hand for him to take in a bid to calm the frustration rolling off him in waves. “Aiden, it wouldn’t solve anything.” He accepts and pulls me to standing, closing his arms around me once more. I place my hand flat to his chest, unable to make direct eye contact. “The thing is, I’m not sure where all this leaves us.”
His finger lifts my chin and my eyes have no choice but to face him head on. “It shouldn’t affect us at all,” he growls.
“Aiden, Evelynn is an incredible woman and has only ever offered the most amazing support, but I’m not sure either of us intended to live with the daily reminder of something so devastating.”
“I understand but—”
“Aiden; listen to me. Luke is yourbest friendand he’s having a baby with my dead husband’s other wife. Obviously, I’m not comfortable with it.”
“I hope you’re not suggesting we break up.”
An empty feeling forms at the pit of my stomach. Breaking up with Aiden is the last thing I want. “I don’t knowwhatI’m saying exactly. I just know it won’t be easy.”
My forehead falls against him while his fingers rake through my hair. His voice softens. “Nothing is ever easy Vick, but if you let this situation come between us, it means he’s won again.”
His mouth falls to the top of my head, he breathes in deeply, holding me firm while his lips linger a while. A sigh leaves his mouth before he finally speaks.
“Even from beyond the grave, that fucker is controlling the course of your life, but guess what, it’s not happening anymore. I won’t let it.”
AIDEN
It’s the early hours of the morning and Victoria is sprawled across the sofa, her ankles crossed at one end, her head in my lap at the other. I comb my fingers through her soft chestnut hair while we talk.
“I’ve just thought of something. I never did replace your phone.”
“Oh my God Aiden. You’re back to that? Really?”
“Yes really. But then again, you never did call so—”
She grabs the cushion by her side and throws it in my face. “Don’t start with me mister,” she giggles.
I punch it away, “I’ll get you back for that another time.” I smirk.
She cocks her head, still lying against the cushion. A half smile forms across her lips and her eyes shine. “It seems so long ago now.”
“It was long ago, wasn’t it?” I laugh.
“It’s was just over four months ago.” I catch her mouth twitch together with the side eye glance and the sigh she gives. “We’ve been through so much in such a short space of time. In fact, if things had been different, if Andy’s memory was pure and he was the man I’d built him up to be, I would never have entertained the idea of going out with you in the first place. But when you gave me your number—”
“Was that the first or second time?”
“Oh stop it,” she smiles, slapping my arm. You have no idea how many times I questioned myself about that and if it would be so wrong for me to be happy. I’d pinned your number to our fridge like a little square of hope and nearly every day, I tried to muster the courage to call. Then our paths crossed again, for what was actually the third time, if you think about it, when you saved me from that idiot at the Critique bar.”
“Don’t remind me about him.” I recall the exact moment I saw her with that fucker. “I wanted to come over and talk as soon as I saw you, but I guessed you would have called if you wanted to see me. When I noticed you were in trouble, I wasn’t going to stand by and let some over-confident wanker put his hands where they weren’t wanted, so I did something about it.”
She smiles at the memory. “You saved me Aiden and I trusted in fate that night.” She huffs out a smile that is full of regret. “I’m sorry I wasn’t straight from the start. Does it make me as bad as Andy?”
My fingers trace over the soft skin of her cheek and her eyes beg forgiveness. I shake my head. “Never, not even close.”
She smiles up at me and I can see relief as tense features relax.
“Perhaps if we’d been truthful from the word go, it would have saved so much soul-searching and worry. I had endless sleepless nights wondering if there were rules and regulations, or some kind of doctor-patient thing stopping you from seeing me. You’re such a stickler for the rules.” Her eyes glisten and my hearts response is to hammer against my chest.
