Page 78 of Twisted Love

“I wasn’t supposed to be there. You thought I wasn’t in the room, but I was,” I continue. “I heard every word.”

Her face pales as the memory crashes over her. “I didn’t mean?—”

“You called me a grease monkey,” I say, the words cutting through the air like a blade, each syllable full of years of hurt. “A loser. Said you were only with me until you found someone better. I heard you that night, Raven. The things you said … they weren’t just about me. You tore into my family, my entire life. You told Annabelle that my father was a nasty drunk and my mother?—”

My voice cracks, but I press on, the flood of memory impossible to stop. “You said my mother was a drug addict who’d sent me to live with my father because she couldn’t be bothered to raise me. I told you that in confidence. I’ve never told anyone else that. You were the only person I trusted with that information.”

Her lips part to speak, to explain, but I put my finger across her lips and shake my head.

“And then I had to stand there and listen to you say I had no prospects. That I was just a fling, a good kisser … and nothing more. You’d leave me the second someone with real money came along. Do you have any idea what it felt like to hear you say all that? To hear Annabelle defend me while you … you, the love of my life, my everything, you tore me apart? She said I was the most gorgeous person she’d ever laid eyes on, and you—” My voice falters, the anger and pain surging. “You acted horrified, like the idea of being with me long-term disgusted you.”

Tears spill over her cheeks as she shakes her head. “I didn’t mean it, Earl. I swear. I—I was scared. Annabelle was … she was so blonde, so perfect, so confident, so wealthy, and I thought she could take you away from me. I said those things to put her off you. Obvioulsly, I didn’t believe any of it. They were just lies. I didn’t mean any of it. You have to believe me, Earl. You just have to.”

Her voice cracks, and I see the sincerity in her eyes, the pain etched into her expression. “I hated myself for ever saying those things,” she whispers. “And if I could take it back, I would. I was young. I was stupid. And I was so insanely jealous when I saw Annabelle flirting with you at the party. I was terrified of losing you. I did what I thought was my only choice. I lied to her to keep you. Do you believe me?”

“Yes,” I say, my voice softer now. “I know you didn’t mean it now, but that night, it broke me, and stayed with me, Raven. It shaped everything I did after that. Colored every decision I made.”

She looks at me, her tears falling freely. “So that’s why you left. That’s why you pushed me away.”

I nod. “It hurt, hearing those things. It made me feel like I wasn’t good enough for you. And I thought … if I could prove you wrong, if I could make something of myself, then maybe … maybe I’d deserve you, but I was so proud, I had to dress it up as my great revenge.”

Her hands fly to my face, cupping my cheeks as she leans closer. “We’ve always deserved each other, Earl. We’re two peas in a pod, remember? I was stupid, insecure and scared when I said those things, but even after you left I never stopped loving you. Not for a moment. Never.”

I close my eyes as her words wash over me, the truth I’ve been yearning for finally setting me free. Tears sting my eyes, and before I can stop them, they spill over. “I’m sorry,” I choke out. “I’ve been such a monster, holding onto that anger for so long.”

She wipes my tears away, her touch gentle and soothing. “There’s nothing to apologize for,” she whispers. “Love forgives everything, Earl. Everything.”

The weight I’ve carried for years lifts in that moment, replaced by a deep love and warmth I haven’t felt in a long time. She kisses me, soft and tender, and I let myself sink into it, into her, into us.

As she pulls back, her smile wavers, but her eyes hold nothing but love. “We’ll be okay,” she says, her voice trembling with conviction. “We’ll figure it out. Together.”

I nod, pulling her closer as my heart finally feels whole. “Together,” I agree, and for the first time in years, I believe it.

CHAPTER48

RAVEN

He stares into my eyes, the intensity softening into something more profound—something that takes my breath away. A small smile begins to curve his lips, widening slowly but surely. It’s a smile that knows too much, that holds an unspoken truth. My chest tightens, a flutter building inside me.

“I saw it,” he says softly, his voice laced with both tenderness and certainty.

I blink, confused. “Saw what?”

His gaze flickers, his smile deepening as though the words themselves are precious. “The pregnancy test,” he says simply. “In the bathroom.”

The air rushes out of my lungs. I can’t tell if it’s panic or relief—or maybe both—that courses through me as I struggle to form words.

“I …” My voice falters, and I look down at the rough hospital blanket. Should I apologize for not telling him sooner? Explain that it wasn’t planned, but I don’t regret it. Or that I didn’t know how to bring it up after everything that has happened?

Before I can untangle my thoughts, Earl leans forward, his hand reaching out to cup my cheek. His thumb brushes over my skin. “My darling,” he says, his voice unwavering and filled with a strong emotion that makes him feel like he will forever be my rock, my port in the storm. “You’ve given me the greatest gift I could’ve ever asked for.”

I stare at him, my breath catching. “You mean it?” I whisper, barely able to get the words out.

He nods, his eyes never leaving mine. “I love you,” he says, his voice breaking slightly. “With all my heart, baby. And I already love the new life growing inside you too, more than I thought was possible.”

Tears well up in my eyes. I can’t hold it in any longer. I lean forward, capturing his lips in a kiss that speaks of everything I feel. The fear, the gratitude, the overwhelming love that has grown inside me, not just for the life we’ve created but for this man who has fought so hard to be with me, who has endured so much to stand by my side.

“I love you too, Earl,” I whisper against his lips, my voice trembling but certain. “With all my heart. Forever. And ever.”

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