Page 94 of Destined Lovers

“What does that mean?” I beg.

“You’ll see,” he mutters and continues typing furiously.

When he’s done, he glances up. “I need to get up for a second, Nora. I need to stand, please?” I don’t really want to, honestly, but I guess I have no choice since he’s lifting me up and off him.What the hell?

He starts pacing, and he’s rolled his neck a few times. He’s trying to calm himself.

“Are you still mad at me after everything I told you? You must understand why I did it?”

“Yes, and no.” he stops pacing to look at me, “I’m so incredibly sorry you went through what you did, Nora. I wasn’t even there, and that will forever haunt me. I loved your parents like my own, hell, more than my own. I don’t know how you’ve been doing this all alone for this long. I admire your commitment to your loved ones. But you also put us through unnecessary pain.”

“Pain?” I cut him off. “You’ve been in pain? I’ve been burning up alive, from the inside out, burning foryoumy whole damn life, Declan. So don’t talk about pain to me. Every morning, day, and night I had to live a life alone without you… and my parents. You made new friends, you moved on. I was the one who was all alone.”

“I did not move on,” he bellows. I snap my mouth shut, startled by his outburst. “I hired investigators to find you. I would travel, looking around the world, hoping to run into you. For God’s sake, I flew to America and spoke to the police, the real estate agent who was selling your house, and anyone else who would listen. So don’t tell me I moved on. Because I was living in hell right alongside you.”

God, we’re both so hurt.

He takes a deep breath and starts to pace again, then stops and starts again. He’s making me dizzy.

“I’m sorry, Nora. I don’t mean to yell. I’m upset and not taking this well. I need to clear something up. I’m not mad that you went into witness protection. I admire you. Your parents would be so proud of you for seeking justice. Would I have liked to be given a chance to decide on quitting rugby myself? Most definitely, but I get it. Do I hate that we had to spend a decade apart from each other? Yes, but again I get it. Knowing you’re doing it for your parents, I can get over it in time. What I’m angry about is why you ranagain.”

I can see his wheels turning. He’s not done speaking, so I give him a second to compose himself.

“I’m confused as to why you didn’t tell me the truth. I’m not on the tele anymore. I don’t play rugby or live in some dream you would be ruining. You could have told me this time, but instead, you decided to leave me with no note or explanation. You decided to rip my heart out and leave it with no care in the world. Did you ever really think it through? Did you think how it’s different now, and we could have figured this out as adults? I would have moved to Ireland, into Agnes’s. Did you think how Maeve would feel after she got so excited to see you again, or how your elderly nan would handle your departure? I’m so broken, Nora. I’m not sure how to trust you again. You promised. You said we would always have trust, so what happened to it?”

I wipe my tears, “I-I…”

“I’m not here for only sunshine and happiness, Nora. I’m here on earth to guide you in whichever way you need me. Together as a team, we are supposed to navigate life, but most importantly, I’m supposed to protect you. To be there by your side, even in the darkest of times. You took that from me, pulled it right from under my feet, and ran. Why did you run again when we could have done it together?” He cries.

“Declan,” I choke and put my hand over my mouth to stop the sob. Tears blind my eyes when the anguish peaks, shattering the last of my control. I can’t cry anymore. I just can’t.

My phone starts ringing across the table, and I notice a few missed texts.

“I have to get this.” I hold up my phone to Declan to show him it ringing with Bennett’s name.

“Put it on speaker,” I know this isn’t a request and more of a demand, and since I have no interest in fighting with him after everything, I answer it and turn it on speaker straight away.

“Hello?”

“Hey, why did you go home and not work?” He questions. Shite, I didn’t even think. Bennett periodically checks the security cameras to ensure everything is okay while I’m at work. He can’t hang out there as he could at my old job in the pub. This is the only way he can ensure my safety.

“Bennett, you’re on speaker… and Declan’s here.” I cringe, and the line goes quiet.

“Hello?” I call.

“Please tell me that you didn’t, Fiona.”

My mouth opens but Declan’s quicker.

“She did, and you don’t have to worry about watching her anymore. She’s leaving for London within the hour.”

“I’m what?!” I screech.

“Aye, you heard me, Pip. Pack your shite.”

14

Nora

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