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I overreacted. The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she held them back. She wanted to hear what he had to say.
He continued, “I only ever wanted to give you the space to spread your wings and fly.” Aaron’s gaze dropped to the table, then flicked back to her, sincerity shining in his eyes. “I do love you . . . And I want to take care of you the way a husband should—and to protect you at all costs. If that makes me wrong for you, I don’t know what else to do.”
But will I be just one more person you’re trying to save?
“I never wanted to fix you, Brynn, or save you, however you put it.”
“You didn’t?”
“Not once. Yes, I wanted to give you the world. I wanted you to heal, but I know most of that has to come from within you. My goals were to provide you with a safe environment to do so and the support I thought you needed. But it wasn’t to save you for my ego. It was because I cared about you, and that affection turned into love. And when you love somebody, you want the best for them . . . even at your own expense.”
Tears welled in her eyes. He deserved so much better than her.
“Despite everything inside telling me not to, I’m giving you what you asked for.” He slid the envelope to the center of the table. “I’m letting you go.” Aaron’s voice cracked, and the force of what he was saying hit her full force, sucking the air from her lungs.
“But I’ll never stop loving you.” He stood abruptly. “And if you change your mind and want to work this out, I’ll be waiting.”
Brynn wanted to grab his hand and tell him to stay, but that fear inside wrapped around her like thick ropes, keeping her firmly planted in the seat, and her mouth closed.
He left the diner, his head bowed and his shoulders slumped as he headed towards Green Park. Brynn’s heart hammered in her chest. She grabbed the envelope and opened it. Divorce papers slid out with something shiny clinking to the table—the necklace he’d gifted her with the globe pendant, his subtle reminder that she deserved the world. She picked it up and stared at the stack of paperwork, her gaze snagging on the sticky note attached in Aaron’s bulky masculine script.
Sunshine, you were never broken to me—only beautiful.
He’d given her everything and never expected anything in return that she wasn’t ready to give. And now he’d served her the divorce papers. Because I asked him. He’d let her go.
When you love somebody, you want the best for them . . . even at your own expense. He’d given up what he wanted most for her. In the process, he’d relinquished any control over her. She was free.
She waited for the rush of relief, but only emptiness and loss filled her. Because I’d never been under his thumb. Aaron had been the one to set her free. He’d literally given her the keys to her cage. Then why did I push him away? Had it all been her way of testing him? She’d needed to know how much he loved her. She’d known the love in his heart for her was true. And she’d forced his hand to see if he’d free her. Her final test of love. Yes, it was fucked up, but it was the last thing that held her back from giving herself so fully to him.
“Brynn?”
Jasmine walked over, a tentative smile on her face.
Brynn slid the papers and necklace back into the envelope and stood. “Hey. You’re here for your pies.”
“Yes. There should be four.”
Brynn made her way behind the counter before grabbing Jasmine’s order, her hands shaking. Mind racing. Adrenaline coursed through her veins as panic seized her chest.
“Hey, are you okay?” Jasmine asked, her brows drawn together.
“I’m . . .” Brynn exhaled. “How did you know Atlas was the one? How did you know you could trust him after everything with your past?”
Jasmine’s eyes widened a fraction before she cast a glance around the diner. The Pirates all stood, giving them a friendly wave before they left. Only an older gentleman at the counter a few seats away, and a family with a young boy remained.
Jasmine leaned closer to Brynn and lowered her voice. “It took time. And his actions matched his words. He wasn’t perfect, obviously—no one is. But he tried, and he keeps aiming to do better. That’s all I can ask. He put my needs first, and he just . . .” Jasmine sighed dreamily. “He’s there for me through life’s ups and downs. When I have my difficult times and it’s hard for me to get out of bed, or when I get triggered when we’re intimate, he’s always patient and understanding. He makes me feel loved and cherished.”
Brynn nodded. That’s how it was with Aaron. The man gave her what she needed so many times before she even knew she needed it. He’s been more patient than a saint. Loving him didn’t mean oppression, but freedom like she’d never known.
“Oh, hello, dear.” Betty-Lou greeted Jasmine with an armful of supplies.
“I have to go.” Brynn rushed by her friend, turning around to her as she headed for the back of the diner. “Thank you.”
Brynn raced to the locker room, switching out her apron for her coat and bag. She fumbled with the zipper as she darted back out to the front of the restaurant.
“Where are you going in such a hurry?” Betty-Lou asked as Brynn grabbed the envelope from the counter, sliding the necklace out and clasping it on her neck.
“To get my husband back.”
Hopefully it wasn’t too late.
