AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I glare at Lincoln, as his angry gaze holds mine despite his wife’s rebuke. “No, Lottie, he’s right. I didn’t know she’d done that, but I shouldn’t be surprised. She always takes care of those she loves. Like making sure Lottie was okay after you fucked up, and giving Norrie a place to stay after Harrison threw her out of their home, or putting herself in danger to get Noah Cabot in a place we could take him down. She cares for everyone and yet none of you noticed how broken she was inside.”
I stand and pace, brushing my hair back in frustration. “I fucked up, okay? I was a dick, and I should have been with her when the call came, but I’m telling each and every one of you right now, I’m here for the long haul. I love her and I’m going to prove I’m worthy of her and that I’m not leaving her ever again and if any of you get in my way, I’ll take you down.”
“About damn time.”
Lincoln smirks and we share a look, as if he finally believes me. I nod and sit, my leg bouncing with the need to be in there with her and shielding her from the pain.
An hour later the door opens and Audrey steps out, her sobs wracking her fragile frame. “He’s gone.”
Her watery eyes find mine as I stand and move toward her and she falls into my arms, her head hitting my chest as the pain erupts in a torrent of ugly tears. I stand silently holding her, my arms encasing her in all the love I feel for her.
I murmur gentle words of reassurance and do everything I can to take away her pain, even knowing that nothing but time will do that and then not completely. Around me, Lincoln and Heather are consoling Ruth, but I only care about Audrey.
“Why are you here?”
I dip my lips to her cheek to hear her mumbled words easier and so she hears my answer. “I told you I would be.”
“But you hate me.”
“I could never hate you. I love you.”
She only cries harder then, and I hold on a little tighter. Eventually, her sobs turn to sniffles, and she pulls away, my shirt soaked from her grief. Her eyes are swollen and red, and she looks like a broken doll.“I need to go.”
“Let me come with you. Let me be there for you, Audrey.”
She shakes her head as I feel her pulling away from me, mentally and physically. “No, I need to be with my mom and Tia needs you.”
“You need me.”
She shakes her head sadly. “I needed you. I don’t need you now.”
Her words are flat and without any emotion and I know this is the pain and shock talking. “You don’t mean that.”
“I do. Draw up the papers, Hudson. We’re done.”
Audrey stands and walks toward her mother, her shoulders sagging under the weight of her loss.
“I’m not giving up, Audrey. You’re my wife and I love you.”
“Do you? Because when you love someone, you don’t run or push them away when they make an innocent mistake.”
“I messed up.”
“We both did, Hudson.”
She gives me a wan smile and I feel my heart crack, but it’s quickly filled with a jolt of determination. She’s hurting and bruised from our fight and now she feels like I’ve let her down again, and I have, but it ends now. I’m going to prove to her how much I love and adore her if it takes the rest of my life.
That nightI have Mrs. Price keep Tia, explaining what has happened and I sit in my car outside Audrey’s parents’ house. I see the curtain of her childhood bedroom twitch and her silhouette in the window. I know she sees me and that’s okay. I need her to know that even if she won’t see me, I’m here and I’m not leaving.
The next four days are spent in my car with brief visits home to see Tia. Eden has kindly offered to spend time with her, and I’ve learned to gratefully accept help instead of trying to do everything myself.
On the fourth day, Audrey comes out.
I roll the window down and she walks across the road, her arms folded. She looks fragile but so fucking beautiful it takes my breath away.
“You need to go.”
I shake my head. “I told you. I’m not leaving.”
