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My heart stuttered and I dropped my sandwich. It splattered messily onto the kitchen counter as I read the most recent news article. My stomach churned and with my heart in my throat, I fought against the urge to retch.
Oh God, what has Killian done?
Shock coursed through my veins and I was still staring at my phone with wide eyes when he walked through the door of our house. “I’m home,” he announced wearily.
He stalked into the kitchen, carelessly tugging on his tie before dropping it on the counter. I rounded on him before he could say anything else. “What is this?” I questioned sharply, showing him the screen of my phone.
Killian barely even looked at the article. He crowded into my space, pushing me back into the counter and our eyes locked. “I did what I had to do,” he said slowly, with complete confidence.
“You didn’t tell me,” I accused. “Why didn’t tell me? This is a huge decision, Killian. You withdrew from the presidential race!”
My heart was racing but he barely even flinched at my outburst. When my husband responded ever so calmly, I wanted to smack him. “I knew you’d read it on the news and I was coming home, to tell you just that.”
I shook my head before inhaling a shuddering breath. “Why?”
His lips twitched with a bittersweet smile. “I can’t lead a country that hates my wife and I refuse to raise our children in such a toxic environment.”
“I can’t let you walk away from the one thing you’ve worked so hard to achieve.” The tears streamed down my cheeks. “You spent two freaking decades working to get this point. To make yourself worthy of this opportunity. I won’t let you give it up for me. This is your dream,” I cried, pushing against his chest with my fists.
Killian’s arm snaked out and he gripped my hand, tugging me to him before his lips crashed against mine. He swallowed my cries and kissed away my gasp. His tongue drove into my mouth, tasting me. “You are my dream,” he rasped into my lips.
“Don’t do this,” I begged weakly. “You’ll regret it and then you’ll hate me.”
He lowered his forehead to mine. “I love my country but if I have to choose, I’ll always choose you. But you know what? I didn’t even have to choose because you’re my only choice, Julianna. Always and forever. Remember our vows?”
“I remember my vows. I said I’ll support you; in your dreams, in your achievements, I will be by your side. Always.”
Our hearts thudded to the same rhythm and my whole body was shaking. Killian pressed another tender kiss on my lips. “And you do support me. You always have. Our family is my dream.”
“I can’t let you sacrifice–”
“And I won’t sacrifice us for my own selfish ambitions.”
My fingers dug into his chest, feeling his strong heartbeat. There was utmost sincerity in his dark gaze and I searched for regret or disappointment, but found none. He was really serious about this. My shoulder slumped, the fight leaving me.
Killian curled his arms around me, holding me closer. Safe and warm in his arms. “Once Gracelynn and Lydia are discharged from the NICU, I’m taking you and our babies home, Princess.”
“I am home. With you. In your arms. I’m home, Killian.”
But I knew exactly what he meant.
We were going back to the island, away from this toxic environment and to a place where we belonged. Where we were happy and safe.
A place we could call home.
EPILOGUE
“Piece of crap,” I hissed at my car before kicking my flat tire. “Did you really have to give up on me today? I have an important interview!”
My car was practically a piece of junk but it wasn’t like I could afford much from a part-time babysitting job. And now I was probably going to be miss my interview.
I bent down to examine my tire more closely, only for my handbag to fly open, dumping all my contents onto the ground.
With a frustrated growl, I dropped my handbag next to the mess and then stomped to my trunk, taking out the jack and my spare tire. I could change a flat tire, except the only issue was that I wasn’t really good at it and it might take me more than ten minutes. Goddamn it, could this day get any worse?
“Excuse me, miss,” a deep voice called out from behind me. Heavy footsteps approached me and then his voice was much, much closer. “Do you need any help? It seems like you might be having a bad day. I can change the tires for you.”
“Thank you,” I responded politely without turning around. “But I can do it.”
I knelt beside the flat tire and tried to probably angle the jack but then it slipped from my hand. My eyes squeezed shut and I took in a deep breath before opening my eyes again. A quick glance at my watch told me that I was going to be very late for my interview and I couldn’t afford that.
