Page 94 of Icebound Hearts

I spent years hating him. Thinking he chose to leave. Thinking I wasn’t enough to make him stay. But he never even knew.

I choke out a sharp breath, covering my face with my hands.

“Oh, Kat,” he whispers. “I’m so sorry.”

I should still be angry. I should still push him away. But suddenly, all I can think about is how much time we’ve lost.

Years.

Years of him not knowing. Years of me thinking I didn’t matter. When all this time, I did.

I did. When I lift my head again, his eyes are wet.

“I missed your entire life,” he murmurs, his voice trembling. “I missed everything.”

A sob breaks from my throat. “I don’t—I don’t know how to—”

“You don’t have to,” he says quickly, shaking his head. “I don’t expect anything from you, Kat. But if you’re willing… I’d like to try. To be in your life. In any way you’ll let me.”

I close my eyes, my heart aching from everything we’ve lost. Then, slowly, I nod.

And for the first time in my life, I let myself believe that

maybe… just maybe… I don’t have to carry this hurt alone anymore.

The second I step inside the house Aiden is waiting sprawled out in our living room couch.

I don’t even get two steps in before his arms are around me, pulling me against his chest.

“How’d it go?” he murmurs into my hair. I take a deep breath, melting into him.

I don’t even realize I’m crying until I feel his hand in my hair, soothing, grounding.

“It wasn’t what I expected,” I whisper. “I thought I’d hate him. I wanted to hate him.”

Aiden’s hold on me tightens, silent, patient.

“But he didn’t leave me, Aiden,” I whisper, voice cracking. “He didn’t even know about me. He never knew.”

Aiden’s lips press against my temple. “Oh, baby.”

I let out a shaky breath. “We’re going to try. I don’t know how, or where we even start, but… I think I want to give him a chance.”

Aiden pulls back just enough to cup my face. “You don’t have to figure it all out right now, Kat.”

I nod, my throat tight, and he kisses my forehead.

“Come on,” he murmurs, tugging me toward the couch. “Let’s just lay down for a while.”

I don’t argue. I let him pull me onto the couch, wrapping myself around him as he blankets me in warmth, his fingers tracing slow circles against my back.

And for the first time in a long, long time… I don’t feel so alone.

Chapter forty

KATERINA

Tonight is Christmas Eve, and we’re celebrating it at our place.

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