Page 50 of Wishing Stone

“I just need one minute. Please, officer,” I said.

“Make it quick,” he warned.

Lowering my body until I was eye-to-eye with Hannah, I placed a hand on her arm.

“Hannah, I meant what I said. I will help you through this. Is there anyone I can call for you?”

“My friend, Madilyn. She has Eva. I don’t know if she’ll be willing to keep her overnight or longer. I don’t know what’s going to happen and I-I don’t—” Her voice cracked, and she stopped short to choke back a sob.

“I know you’re worried about your daughter. I won’t let you spend the night in jail. I’ll pay whatever it is to make sure you’re released on bail so you can be with her.”

With tear-filled eyes, she smiled and nodded.

“Thank you, Krystina. You’ve always been so good to me. I’m sorry for this—sorry for everything.”

“Have faith. Everything will be okay. I promise.”

Standing, I backed away and allowed the policeman to close the door. After he climbed into the driver’s seat and drove away, I watched the car until it disappeared from sight.

Alexander stepped up next to me, his commanding presence overshadowing anything else around us.

“After all the shit you put me through, are you going to tell me what that was all about?” he asked.

The adrenaline that had pumped through my veins over the past hour had long since disappeared, and exhaustion weighed heavily on my shoulders. Yes, I was still angry with Alexander over keeping me caged, but I also owed him an explanation—and so much more. I just didn’t have the energy to do it while standing in the snow on a cold city street. I wanted to be home—warm and safe in his arms. I didn’t want to think about stolen money, a virus, or risks to our baby. I wanted to justbe, even if only for a few minutes.

I glanced up at my husband. There was still anger in his gaze, but there was also worry and relief etched into his features. I loved this man with my whole heart, and if I’d thought through this crazy idea to come to the shelter a little better, I would have done everything so much differently. My tendency to react first and think later had gotten me into plenty of trouble in the past, and I knew better.

Reaching up to cup Alexander’s face, I looked at him with pleading eyes.

“For now, let’s just go home. Please. There will be plenty of time for me to fill you in later, Alex. I promise to tell you everything.”

“Alright,” he said, albeit reluctantly. Then he sternly added, “But until you’re safe at home, put that damn mask back on your face.”

I shook my head but didn’t argue as I pushed the mask back to cover my mouth and nose.

“I’m sorry that I worried you, Alex. Really, I am.”

“Worried? I was scared out of my fucking mind, Krystina. Only you would manage to land yourself in a hostage situation. Sometimes I wonder if you’re trying to put me into an early grave,” he said, sounding somewhat bewildered.

Alexander’s face softened then—just a tad—but it was enough for me to know that I would eventually get a reprieve. Hiding behind the protection of the mask, I secretly smiled with relief. Alexander wasn’t off the hook for the way he’d controlled and isolated me, but I knew no matter what, everything was going to be just fine.

20

Christmas Eve

Alexander

Ipaced back and forth in the foyer, waiting for Krystina to come downstairs. We had been all ready to go, but at the last minute, she had to hurry back up to our bedroom for something. There was nothing she could possibly need, but she’d been gone for ten minutes.

When she finally came bounding down the grand staircase, her cheeks were flushed, and there was a mischievous twinkle in her eye. My heart constricted simply from the sight of her beautiful face, and I wondered if there would ever come a day when I didn’t feel like the earth was shifting beneath my feet whenever she walked into a room.

“I’m ready to go!” she announced.

“It’s about time,” I grumbled, but I said it with a small smile, letting her know my irritated tone was only a façade. I was just anxious to reveal the surprise I’d put together for her.

I gave Krystina a once-over to make sure she was dressed warmly enough. She had no idea about what I had in store for her. As far as she was concerned, we were just going back to the igloo near the pond to enjoy a Christmas Eve dinner that Vivian was currently preparing in the kitchen.

Reaching down, I picked up the backpack that I’d prepared earlier, then slung it over my shoulder. Krystina quirked up a brow and eyed the bag curiously.

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