Page 66 of If You Love Me

“Hmmm. I hope you don’t think that is supposed to impress me. And I really hope it wasn’t for my benefit.”

“No, Evenie. Honestly, it needed to happen. We were never going to be happy as long as you were in the picture at anycapacity. I know we aren’t on the best of terms, right now, but I wasn’t going for her disrespecting you.”

“So what would you like me to do with this information, Tyrion?”

“I just thought you should know.” He stepped closer to me and took my hands. “I love you, Evenie. I’ve always loved you, and I will never stop loving you. While my feelings for Iona were real, I shouldn’t have asked her to marry me, knowing I still held on to hope of you coming home. I was wrong for that, and I own where I fucked up in this whole situation.”

His hands moved to cup my face. He peered down at me with deep sincerity in his eyes.

“I don’t want a divorce. The truth is, I’ve been miserable since the day you moved out, Evenie. I’ve spent too many years knowing what it’s like to live without you. I don’t want to feel that pain again. What I want is my family. Me, you, and Summer Rose. I want to make up for all the time we’ve missed out on. You and our daughter should be home with me. We should be having family nights or going on vacations, and shit. I should be falling asleep next to you… holding you… making love to you.”

He gently caressed my cheeks with the pads of his thumbs. I was trying my best not to be a weak ass bitch and cry.

“I know we aren’t there yet. I’m sorry I made you wait, but I’m willing to wait as long as it takes to win you back, Evenie. If I have to be your friend… if I have to court you all over again… whatever it takes. Just… please. If you love me… give me a chance to make things right.”

My heart was saying yes, but my head didn’t know if I could trust him again. Before I could answer, someone called his name.

“Tyrion!”

We turned to see Iona storming toward us. Tyrion groaned as he dropped his hands.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she demanded, her hands on her hips.

“I’m talking to my wife.”

“You could’ve let me speak to Summer. I work here. I’m gonna be around her. You can’t just take her from me.”

“Iona, I’m not doing this with you. Not here, not now. Go back to work.”

She scoffed. “You don’t get to dismiss me, especially in front ofher.” She snarled as she looked at me.

I laughed. “Her? Oh, you big mad, huh? I’m his wife. Everything you want with this man is already mine. Don’t fucking forget that shit. I should whip your ass for sending me those divorce papers. Were you that desperate to get rid of me?”

She glared at me but said nothing.

“You don’t hear me talking to you, bitch?” I asked, advancing toward her.

Tyrion grabbed me around my waist and pulled me back.

“Not here, love,” he said, putting me behind him.

“Notanywhere,” Iona said, clearly unbothered. “You don’t know it, but I’m not a bitch you want to try like that, Evenie.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“I’m letting you know what’s up.” She turned to Tyrion. “Like I told you, I’m giving you a chance to reconsider. I know you love me as much as I love you. You’re just upset right now. If you love me, you’ll give me a chance to make it—”

Before she could finish her sentence, I reached around Tyrion and popped her in the mouth.

“Dammit, Ev!” Tyrion said, guiding me back to the car.

“That’s the only chance you’re gonna get. Whatever you had with my husband and my child is done.”

Iona touched her now bloody lip. She licked the blood from the corner of her mouth and smiled at me.

“I hope that felt good,” she said as she backed away. “Savor that feeling.”

Without another word, she strutted back across the parking lot to the school. Tyrion hung his head and sighed.

---