Page 61 of Due Process
I licked my lips when my intrusive thoughts blurted out. “You must hate me…”For hurting her. For destroying her.He had no trouble reading my unspoken words.
“How could I?” he asked. “Because of you, I finally got my girl. I don’t hate you, Felix.”
“Really? Because I hate you…”
“You know, I don’t blame you,” he said, tone straightforward. And then he really hit me where it hurt. “I have my dream girl, along with some magnificent boys. I finally have everything I dreamt and wanted.”
My eyes averted from his for the first time. He spoke with such reverence and devotion that I knew it wasn’t fake. Curtis truly loved her and my sons.
I sighed in defeat. “Treat her well.”
“You know I will.”
“Don’t make the same mistakes I did.Cherish her.Give her everything she deserves. Give her everything I couldn’t.”
“I promise. She will always be cherished, always loved unconditionally.” Based on his expression and voice, I knew he meant it. “I’d better be off.”
Curtis departed, but before he turned the corner, he spared me one glance over his shoulder. “Thank you. For giving me this life.” Then he left.
I wanted to run after him and punch him square in the face. But his whole demeanour made me stall.
His words weren’t laced with maliciousness—more gratitude.
As he disappeared, I looked down at the chocolate in my hand and returned the item to the shelf.
That was now his to buy. She was now his to care for. Curtis had taken on the role to provide her happiness… and despite the overwhelming envy and jealousy taking me over, I wanted that for Stella.
I wished for her to have the best, even if that wasn’t with me.
Epilogue 2
STELLA
Two years later…
Our wedding was simple, carefree and so full of love that I thought my face would crack from my everlasting smile.
I was wrapped in Curtis’ arms, my back to his front, both of us looking out over the beach as our boys played in the shallow waves, their suits destroyed by sand and salt.
The ceremony had been lowkey and private, with only our nearest and dearest in attendance. Eli stood by my side, and Logan was by Curtis’. Phoenix was the ring bearer, and our dads sat as witnesses. Even Daisy made the effort to attend, although she had been acting a little weird the whole day.
However, that was nothing in comparison to my youngest. It took exactly two minutes after we both said “I do” for Phoenix to go sprinting down the shore, only to be taken out by a rogue wave. You’d think it couldn’t get any worse—except my dad tried to save him, which meant that he got dragged in too.
They both came out of the water completely drenched. Phoenix was positively gleaming, whilst Dad looked like he regretted not letting him drown.
Joyous laughter soon followed, which set the night up for the perfect celebration. Dinner and drinks shared on a private beachfront, accompanied by our closest people.
We had everything we needed right there, in front of us.
As the sun set in the distance, Curtis rested his chin on my shoulder, nuzzling into the base of my neck. “Happy,wife?”
“Deliriously happy,husband.” I smiled, tilting my head to give him more access.
He obliged, licking and nibbling across my shoulder, leaving a blazing trail of heat behind. “As much as I love our blended family… I’ve been going insaneall day… consumed with the need to peel you out of this dress…”
Curtis sucked on my carotid, my heartbeat racing beneath his lips. I couldn’t help but whimper.
“Dusk is here. I think that means we can definitely retire, right? They won’t be disappointed?”
