Page 130 of Cuffed By Love

“I’m thankful you guys got there when you did. I thought he was going to kill me this time.” Mira asserts, tears flowing down her pale cheeks.

“Tinks, come on, don’t talk like that. It’s over now, and you’re okay. He can’t hurt you anymore.”

“That’s what they said last time, and look at me. I only just managed to pull myself together, and he pops up like a damn cockroach and wrecks me all over again. I’m tired of constantly fighting the demons in my head, Dev.” She cries, covering her face with her hand. I shift and lay down beside her.

“Come here.” Mira carefully scoots closer, and I wrap my arms around her, pressing my lips to her forehead. “You don’t have to fight them alone, Mira. You have so many people around you that are ready and willing to help you. All you have to do is ask, baby.”

“Maybe for once I just want to save myself, without burdening other people with my problems, my fears and anxieties. I’m sick of living with this fear inside, festering and eating away at me. A part of me wishes he just did me a favour and ended it all for me.”

I frown and look down at her, “Hey, I don’t want to hear you talking like that, all right? You’ve suffered a trauma, it’s normal for you to feel helpless and vulnerable, but I know my Tinks, you’ll kickback from this and come back stronger.”

Mira looks down at my swollen hand and sighs, brushing her trembling fingers over cuts and bruises. “I’m just glad you’re here.”

I close my eyes, pressing my nose into her hair. “Mira, there’s something I need to tell you, and I know the timing isn’t exactly ideal, but…”

Mira turns her gaze up to me, “What is it?”

“There’s a big problem with the label that requires my immediate attention. Megan’s dad owns fifty per cent of the shares to my label, and I’ve just been informed that he’s transferred his shares over to Megan, and she’s stirring shit up—without a doubt to get a reaction out of me. I’ve already lost three artists because they’re refusing to work with her.” I explain apologetically and already see the dejection in her eyes when she nods.

“Oh, I understand.” She replies with a disappointed sigh. “How long will you need to be out there for?”

“A couple of weeks, a month at most.” Mira drops her gaze to look at our hands. “Come with me?” Her eyes flutter up to look at me searchingly.

“What?”

“Come with me. I don’t want to leave you like this, and maybe getting away for a while might do you some good?” I suggest, and Mira goes to sit up and winces.

“Devin, I can’t just up and leave for a month. I have responsibilities here. We can’t both just take off. Someone has to stay back and run things here.”

“Mira, for once, please just think of your own wellbeing. Don’t think about work or your responsibilities as VP. After what you’ve just been through, working should be the last thing on your mind.” I try to justify, but she stubbornly shakes her head.

“Devin, working is what keeps me going. If I don’t have anything to do, sitting around in a foreign country, surrounded by people I don’t know—especially face to face with your ex-girlfriend day in day out, I’ll lose my marbles.” My shoulders drop in defeat. I knew she’d refuse.

“Mira, will you please just consider it? Take some time to think it over before you outright refuse. I don’t feel right leaving you here like this. I’d lose my marbles wondering if you’re okay or not twenty-four seven.”

“I’ll be fine. As you said, I’m surrounded by people who care after all, right?” When I heave a sigh, she rubs my jaw, “Just go and do what you need to do and come back.”

“What if Megan refuses to sell me the shares, and it gets dragged to court? That could take months, Mira.”

Mira shrugs, pulling her hand from mine. “You’re the one that said we’d figure it out. I can’t just up and drop my life here and wait around for you in Singapore, Devin. Let’s be realistic; we knew this was going to happen. You were always going to leave; it’s just come around sooner rather than later.”

I sit up and look at her waveringly, “So, you’re not even bothered about me leaving?”

Mira sighs and rests her head back on the pillow, “Yes, of course, I’m bothered, but what can I do? Do you want me to beg you to stay? Make you choose between me and your dream business you spent years building? I can’t do that.”

Oh, Christ, it’s like pulling fucking teeth. I get up and rub the back of my neck agitatedly. I knew she would never consider it. And hell, I can’t even blame her. I’m being a selfish dickhead who is trying to have his cake and eat it too. But unfortunately, life isn’t that kind, nor am I that lucky.

“I get it, Mira.” We look at one another forlornly. “I’ll stay with you tonight, but I have to head out early in the morning tomorrow.” Mira nods sullenly, wringing her fingers together.

“I understand. Look, I’m not upset with you. We just both have responsibilities we can’t turn our backs on. We knew this going in, right?”

“Right.”

I just wish I could discern what this separation meant for us.

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