Page 26 of Vintage

Each mark marred his once flawless skin, each one a silent testament to a pain I was desperate to understand.

"Ro," I murmured, tears streaming down my face. "What happened?"

He wrenched his arm from my grasp, his gaze not on me but directed at Darius, filled with a fierce rage.

"Why the hell did you bring her here? What happened to the divorce papers I sent?" His voice was laced with desperation, yet the intensity of his anger was terrifying, causing me to flinch.

"I tore them." The words slipped out before I could consider their impact, and his gaze shifted to me, predatory and merciless, leaving me feeling vulnerable and exposed.

I swallowed hard, brushing away the tears that threatened to spill. Even with his tough and intimidating demeanor, the pain and emptiness reflected in his eyes and on his face shattered my heart. He was still the man I loved, yet everything about him felt different now.

"That's what you wanted, Amery."

I wished he would just end it for me right here, because hearing my name from his lips instead of Mrs. Rowan— the only title that made me feel alive— was unbearable.

"No. You promised you'd come back. I waited for you, Ro. I'm still waiting."

My tears softened his gaze. Despite his rough exterior and the visible wounds that cried out for care, I still found myself drawn to him. Time and again, I forgave him.

"I forgive you, Ro. Please, let’s go home. Let’s return to our place." I was desperate, willing to beg if it meant bringing him back to me.

I needed my husband back.

I wanted my husband back.

I had to have him.

"Mrs. Rowan..." I gasped, looking into his striking eyes. They resembled the Ro I once knew, and in their depths, I saw a reflection that was truly beautiful.

"Let’s go..." I reached for him, but he stepped back, his gaze darting around before settling on me again.

"I’m grateful you chose me as your husband, and I’ll always cherish that you were my wife, Mrs. Rowan. But some stories must come to an end, and ours has reached its conclusion. Just sign the damn papers and walk away. Do it for my sake, if not yours. Goodbye, Amery."

He offered me a lopsided smile before turning to Darius.

"Take her away, and I’ll send over the new documents." He walked off, and Darius roughly pulled me away, shoving me into my car and driving off.

I couldn’t hold back the sobs that escaped me.

"Darius... My Ro—"

"He needs help. I had a feeling something wasn’t right, but fuck, damn it... I should have looked into it more. He’s trying to protect you through this divorce... But he could have reached out to me!!" He growled, and despite my crying, I heard him loud and clear.

My Ro needs me.

Chapter Twelve

She laughed softly, her hair dancing in the night breeze, and my heart felt like it was about to burst in my chest.

"What if we had three kids? What order of genders would you want?" She hadn’t given it much thought before, but tonight, she seemed to enjoy the idea, and it made me unexpectedly happy.

Curious, I took her hand, intertwining our fingers as we strolled down the quiet streets, the moonlight casting a beautiful glow on her skin.

The thought of Little Amery brought a secret smile to my face. I felt like a lovesick teenager all over again.

"Can I say, three little Amerys?"

I stopped and turned her to face me, her eyes wide and warm like a gentle doe. I wanted to capture that gaze, keeping it just for myself. I tilted my head, drinking in her beauty. Every part of her shone in that yellow summer dress, laced with a hint of seduction—nothing about my wife was anything less than tempting.

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