Wyatt holds me close as Weston drives with his hand on my knee. The touch of them both settles me. And it scares me just how much I’ve come to need them, crave them.
The guys are saints as they draw a bath, strip me out of my clothes and get me into the tub. We don’t talk, just sit in an odd, comforting silence as they wash me.
When they’re done, they dry me off, dress me and pull me into bed. I’m not sure of the time, but the sun is still up, only just starting to set, so it can’t be too late.
Yet, I find my eyes heavy and everything in me starts to shut off.
As I drift off to sleep, head on Weston’s chest, Wyatt’s body curled into mine as he rubs my arm, I can’t help thinking of Greg and what he said.
What am I doing here?
I can’t just forget about the life I have. It was only supposed to be a two-week vacation. How did I go from being on my honeymoon, to filing for divorce and falling hard for two guys.
What the hell am I going to do?
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Iwake up way before my normal time, unable to really sleep at all last night. My heart sinks with disappointment as I extend my hand, expecting to feel Wyatt and Weston, only to encounter an empty bed. The cabin is eerily silent, the only sound the soft rustling of the curtains in the morning breeze. They must have left early to get their chores done.
I grab my phone from the nightstand, planning to message them and tell them I’m up and can meet them to help with chores. Instead, I’m greeted with a text from Greg.
Greg: I won’t press charges against the trashy blonde if you come home with me today. The flight is booked. All you have to do is show up. Flight leaves at 8 am. Make the smart decision, Emma.
Fuck! Why does he have to be such a monster?
My eyes fill with tears, and I sit there, the phone shaking uncontrollably in my hands. The decision’s weight overwhelms me, and I feel suffocated.
How the hell can I just get up and leave when I’m head over heels in love with the twins. I haven’t told them yet because I don’t want to scare them away if this is moving too fast, too soon, but I can’t deny how they make me feel.
Now, this. Greg’s ultimatum. If I stay, Hadley could go to jail. Knowing Greg, he wouldn’t let this go easily. I can’t risk that, not after everything the Wilders have done for me.
The tears start to spill over, and I bury my face in my hands, sobbing quietly. Maybe it’s best if I go home, serve my penance, and deal with Greg on my own terms. I’m still going to divorce that fuckstick, but I won’t let him hurt the Wilders in the process. They’ve been too good to me, and I owe them at least that much.
Sliding from the bed, I hastily dress, my fingers trembling as I button my shirt and zip my jeans. I grab my carry-on and start throwing clothes and essentials into it, not bothering to fold or organize. If I want to avoid being seen and stopped, I don’t have time to pack everything. Anything that doesn’t make it in the bag, I can replace or have shipped to me later.
The room blurs through my tears as I scan for anything I might need. My eyes land on my purse resting on the dresser, and I immediately start rummaging through it, hoping to find a pen and paper. Sitting down, I start drafting a letter to Wyatt and Weston.
The pen feels foreign in my trembling hand as I stare at the blank piece of paper, tears streaming down my face. Every word I write feels like a dagger to my heart, but I know I have no choice.
Dear Wyatt and Weston,
I’m sure you thought I was staying, and honestly, so did I. The thought of leaving you both, leaving what we’ve started here, breaks my heart into a thousand pieces. But life is complicated, and you don’t deserve to be dragged into this mess that I’ve created.
I’m going back to face Greg because he’s threatening Hadley. I can’t let him press charges against her, not after everything your family has done for me, not after all the kindness you’ve all shown me. You all have been so good to me, so understanding and patient, and I’m sorry, so sorry, for the drama I’ve caused, for the mess I’ve dragged you into.
I desperately want to stay, to be with you both, to build something real and lasting. But the truth is, I can’t bear the thought of causing you more pain, of pulling you deeper into this nightmare.
Please understand that I care about you both more than I can put into words, more than I ever thought possible. You’ve shown me love and acceptance that I never dreamed I’d find. But I need to do this. I need to go back to protect everyone involved, to make sure Greg can’t hurt anyone else. I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me someday, to understand why I hadto make this choice, even though it feels like it’s tearing me apart.
I know that this letter won’t make up for the pain I’m causing, that no words can ever fully express how much I regret having to leave. But please know that every word and tear is a testament to how deeply I care for you both. I hope, more than anything, that someday you’ll find it in your hearts to forgive me and remember the two weeks we shared.
With all my love and deepest apologies,
Emma
The ink on the page blurs as my trembling hands wipe away the tears, my heart pounding with dread. They need to know the truth. I fold the letter and leave it on the nightstand, hoping they’ll find it when they come back.
I call a cab and hurry from the cabin. As I step outside, I notice a ranch hand tending to the flower beds a few cabins away. I approach him and kindly ask if he could give me a ride to the end of the drive. Despite his confusion, he agrees, and I’m thankful for the small act of kindness.