Page 40 of At His Wife's Behest

“I don’t know what you think you see, but you’re hallucinating.”

She remained silent, staring at him with a knowing grin.

“What?” he cried.

Emma lifted a brow. Ignoring her, he headed for the door—but she cut him off, standing before it with her hands on her hips and that single eyebrow arched high.

“Fine!” Kellan barked. “I fell for him. I know it was stupid to fall for a guy who was paid to be there, but I’m a stupid idiot and…” He swallowed against the lump in his throat.

“And it felt good to see what your lifecouldbe?” She ambled closer, resting a hand on his arm. “I doubt you fell for this guy in that short a time. You fell in love with an idea. A concept. You liked who you were there, and you don’t want to lose it… and you don’t have to. There are other men out there, babe.”

No. There’s not.

“You’ll find Mr. Right one day. Once you decide it’s time. Hopefully that’s sooner than later.” She brushed her hands over his chest. “I love you, and I want to see you happy.”

Hemade me happy.“You know I can’t. Not now.”

“You can do whatever you want to do. You’re a grown-ass adult.

“If I ruined my father’s Senate campaign, he’d…” Kellan winced, remembering what it was like to cross his father.

“I know how much he hurt you.” Emma moved closer. “I remember putting cream on those slashes.”

Kellan looked away, shamed. She’d seen him at his lowest and a part of him wished she hadn’t.

“All these years later and you’re still that scared little boy, hoping he’ll accept you if you’re good and you do as he says, when we both know that man willalwaysthink you’re less than enough.”Emma moved into his line of vision, capturing his gaze. “You’re an amazing man. A generous friend. A loving father. Youareenough, Kel. You’remorethan enough.”

Kellan fought a wave of emotion.

“Your father is a black hole who willneverbe filled.” She brushed his hair back. “Don’t let him steal any more of your happiness.”

“Easier said than done.”

“Maybe it’s time for professional help?”

He glanced at her, wincing.

“A therapist is exactly what you need to recover from your father’s…” She trailed off, as if the wordabusewould bring it all back. She needn’t worry. Those memories lay close to the surface at all times. He wore some of them on his fucking skin.

“I don’t want to relive it, Em. I don’t want to feel like a victim.”

“Babe… you relive it every single day of your life. The only way out might be through.”

“Maybe.”

“I’d be willing to do whatever I needed to help you. Join you whenever. Be there after. You know that, right?”

“Yeah,” he whispered softly.

“I can get you some names if you want?”

He nodded, unsure. “Okay.”

She smiled. “You’ll really do it this time?”

Kellan thought back to Connor’s request. That they continue to see one another once home. “He wanted to see me again.”

“He?” She gasped. “The guy from Italy?”

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