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“Are you telling me that Ben married her knowing she was pregnant withyourbaby?”
Rick threw up his hands. “Not my baby, Madison. I never touched her.”
“I know that. But from what you’ve been telling me, I can’t imagine Ben marrying her if he thought she was pregnant with another man’s child. It doesn’t fit his character.”
Rick raised his eyebrows. “Do you know him?”
“We went to their wedding. By then, no one mentioned this story. When the baby was born, I heard people say he looked exactly like his father.”
“So Ben could be the man who raped her that night?”
“Maybe. Was he a good friend of yours?”
“We hung out with the same group, but he never lost a chance to belittle me when I refused to drink or when I stayed home to study for exams. I just ignored him.”
The more she analyzed his story, the more she was convinced assaulting a woman didn’t fit Rick’s character. She’d been impressed by his courteous manners from the moment she’d met him. On the other hand ...
“Rick, Chloe’s marriage to Ben has been rocky for years. She’s often complained about his rude behavior. Once, she confided to my older sister that his lovemaking left her bruised and hurting.”
“So, he could have been the one who raped her. If she’s so unhappy with him, why didn’t she leave him?”
“She tried, but every time she talked about divorce, he came after her with gifts and sweet words. He’s a congressman and is running for governor. He needs a loving, smiling wife by his side.”
“Damn it, he’ll make a lousy, ruthless governor. I can’t allow that.” Rick’s tormented features from a moment ago hardened into a cold determination.
“There’s nothing you can do about his political career. He’s a powerful man.”
Her fiancé rubbed his stubbled chin. “Joseph Powell stopped me when I was going after you and threatened to reopen the case. He must have seen Chloe hanging around my neck. And then he accused me of always running away. I’m not running away anymore. Actually, I’ll ask for an investigation of that night’s events and the whole case.”
“Oh no, please. You buried the past years ago. There’s no need to stir up trouble.”
He shook his head. “Too late for that now. Remember whenI told you that if we brought up the past, it would hurt many people? When you have an abscess, you need to cut into it and clean deeply, otherwise it worsens. Because of Chloe, her husband, and her father, I argued with my dad, and didn’t see my family until my father was on his deathbed. I’m not running away again, or forgetting the past. On the contrary, I’ll try to remember every detail.”
She covered his hand, pleading, “Rick, please, think about your mother and children. Think about me.”
He stroked her hand. “My mother’s already suffered because of them. I’ll protect my children. My concern is you, Madison. Will you trust me and stand by my side?”
“I love you, Rick.”
“Yet, you tried to avoid me without hearingmystory.”
Pain filled her heart. “I couldn’t stand seeing Chloe kissing you.”
He cupped her chin in his palm. “Jealous, babe?”
“Very. I love you. I felt like snatching her away from you, slapping her, and then punching you.”
He smiled, his dimples tempting her. “Wow, I fell in love with a real fury.”
“Don’t tease me. Seriously, Rick, is there anything else from your past I need to know? Anything at all? You can tell me. I’ll understand and accept it.”
“Nothing at all, sweetheart. I’ve never loved a woman before you. Chloe was a big crush. A teenager in love with love.”
She nodded. “I understand. We all had our first crush. I don’t mind being your big love after your late wife.”
“No, Madison. That’s not what I said. You’re my only big love. I married Rosie because I got her pregnant. I stayed with her because she was sweet and fragile. She kept saying I made her so happy. I don’t think I deserved her adoration.”
“Did you cheat on her?”
