Page 7 of Black Mark's Heart

"I know," I mourned, watching Mora slip into the taxi. "She said she'll come back one day."

"Eventually, but by then, it will be too late for you," Jeremy stated plainly.

"It already is," I acknowledged as the taxi pulled away from the curb.

Jeremy's hand fell on my shoulder. "Yes, it is," he confirmed. "It was the moment you signed the annulment."

I looked at Jeremy. "You know I had no choice."

Jeremy looked at me through his brows. "There is always a choice, Dare. She'd have forgiven you, but the annulment broke her."

"She told you that?" I asked, realizing Jeremy had stuck by Mora's side up there with the brothers tonight.

"Mora could handle talking about the two of you up there tonight, right up until they asked her for proof of the annulment," Jeremy informed me. "I thought she was going to dissolve into a crying mess on the floor when Brooks asked her if you had consummated your marriage."

"That's what set her off?" I asked, closing my eyes, understanding.

"That's what cracked that fragile mask she's wearing," Jeremy agreed. "You should have divorced her. Expecting her to lie about something like that was asking too much."

"I gave her up for my business," I muttered. "It didn't matter how I ended it, Jeremy. In Mora's eyes, I gave her up for money, and she would never forgive that."

Jeremy shrugged. "A double whammy for Mora, considering her father did the same."

I looked at Jeremy, confused. Jeremy sighed. "Marshall just announced his successor. He could have saved you both this heartache and retired back to a silent partner in his company, effectively resigning from the brotherhood. That would have allowed you and Mora to be together, Dare. You both chose your business over her."

"We both lost her," I murmured, understanding.

Jeremy studied me. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Say Marshall didn't find out about the wedding until after the honeymoon and you got Mora pregnant before you discovered who her father was. Would you still have chosen Lynwood over her?"

I met Jeremy's eyes, curiosity bright in them. I swallowed. "Yes," I admitted, a sharp pain lancing through my chest. "I'd have still divorced Mora and applied for shared custody of our child."

Jeremy nodded, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Let's go back in. The brothers will be wondering where we ran off to."

"You think I made the wrong choice, don't you?" I asked, sensing Jeremy's disappointment in my answer.

Jeremy opened the door and looked back at me. "I think one day, years from now, you are going to run into Mora somewhere, and you are going to seriously regret having signed those annulment papers," Jeremy walked back inside.

I had no doubt that one day, I would have to watch another man wrap her in his arms, see her belly swollen with another man’s child, and that would break my heart anew. Stepping back inside long enough to grab my jacket, I left, and walked towards where Clark was parked.

"Rafal," a voice called behind me. I turned around to see Alex coming out of the house and moving towards me. I stopped, waiting to see if he was going to take another swing at me. He walked quickly to catch up. It was early spring, but the nights were still very cold.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Hark?" I asked as he stopped in front of me.

Alex blew out a breath. "Do you know the story behind my mom and Marshall?"

I frowned. "I do. Although where you fit in that picture has only become recent knowledge."

Alex nodded. "Did you know they are still lovers?"

I raised a brow at Alex. "You shouldn't tell me that."

"Because you have a responsibility to report it?" Alex asked. I nodded. Alex smiled. "She is another man’s wife, Rafal; your brotherhood can't touch her."

I considered that information and acceded. "Very true. Is there a reason you're telling me this, Mr. Hark?"

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