She glared at me. "You pushed me into this marriage. You took advantage of my trapped state. How can I make such a vow to someone like you?"
But I’ve never taken advantage of her. I’ve never used her. I'm doing this to protect her, to fulfil my promise to her that I'll cherish her.
This isn't all an act. These are my true feelings for you, Cassie. Can't yousee that?
Before I know it, I break down on my knees, still gripping my chest, as if to ease the pain.
Langston gasps as she notices the state I'm in. She rushes to me and bends down to help me stand up but then stops.
Instead, she puts her hand on my shoulder.
"Oh my dear Lord," she rasps. "Luke, what has hurt you like this? How can both of you keep torturing yourselves like this?" She chokes, breaking into tears too.
She knows all of our stories and what happened during all these years.
I wish I could answer her, but I don't know the answer. Another cry leaves my lips—it's getting even harder to breathe.
Fuck this fucking pain, because it hurts like hell.
"Neither you nor Cassie deserve this," she whispers. "Even Aiden doesn't deserve this," she adds. "You don't deserve this pain, Luke. After all these years. After the hell that you've been going through for so long. Nobody in the world should feel this kind of pain." She sniffs, wiping her tears.
I know that I've been through hell, but I also know that it will be worth it. Because had I not gone through that hell, we wouldn't have made it to where we are now.
"Let it out, Luke," Langston says, her eyes glistening with tears as she looks at my bloodshot eyes. She nods in understanding. "Just let it out."
"Oh, God," I rasp as my sobs break. I grip my chest even harder, trying to bear the pain in my throat asmy tears keep falling.
29
________
CASSIE
Iwake up in the morning feeling so weak. Groaning, I sit up on my bed. My eyes are swollen from too much crying.
Damn. Fortunately, I'm on a break from the spotlight. Paul would freak out if he saw how I look right now.
My mind wanders to the fact that I still don't want to see Luke, and it means that I will be escaping breakfast with him and Aiden.
I hate it. I hate that I can't see Aiden because of this. Moreover, it's the weekend, so Luke will probably stay home all day to play with Aiden.
How am I going to avoid him?
My door creaks open, and I'm surprised to find Aiden walking in. He's pushing a rolling tray of foods, and when he halts beside the bed, his eyes widen in horror.
"Are you okay?" He looks at me like he's about to cry. "You look pale. Is it that bad? Should we go to the hospital?" he stutters.
I abruptly shake my head, signaling that I'm okay. Luke must have told Aiden that I'm sick.
"Sweetheart, I'm fine." An instant smile creeps onto my lips as I brush my fingers through his brown hair. "I was just feeling a bit tired."
Aiden still looks at me with worry, his expression so adorable as he stares at me with his big innocent amber eyes.
"Really?" he echoes. "Luke told me that you're sick and can't have breakfast with us and that you must be feeling lonely, so I think it would be a good idea if we have breakfast together in your room."
My heart melts from Aiden's kindness. I giggle, taking out the food trays from the main tray and placing them on my bed.
I pat the sheet, telling him to hop on.
