Page 62 of Love In Harbor Falls

“And I want to apologize for everything. You never gave me the chance. You blocked my number, you refused to talk to me, and our only interaction was when we were with our lawyers.”

“And you sure didn’t waste any time moving on.”

“If you’re talking about Celeste, it was only a couple of times. She isn’t you, Addy, and since you’ve been gone, it made me realize how selfish I was in our entire relationship.” He looked down as his hands stayed tightly tucked in his pants pockets. “After you got pregnant, I wasn’t sure I wanted to be a father, even though we talked about having kids. Then, after you had the miscarriage, it destroyed you, but instead of destroying me, it made me happy.”

“What?” I couldn’t believe those words had come from his mouth.

“I’m ashamed to stand here in front of you and admit it, but I’m being honest with you.”

“So instead of telling me how my miscarriage made you happy, you ran out and got a vasectomy and kept it from me. What did you think was going to happen when I found out? You knew I wanted a baby with you. You were my husband and my life, and I loved you.”

“I know you did, and I’m sorry. I knew you’d eventually find out, but I honestly didn’t think you’d have the guts to walk out on our marriage. I thought I could convince you that having kids wasn’t the right choice for you, and in time you’d see that.”

“Then obviously, you didn’t know me at all! Neither one of us knew each other, Darren. We were nothing but strangers who ended up married.”

“I know that now, and I came here to tell you that I’ve missed you terribly, and I want you to give me a second chance. I can make things right, Addy. I’ll go get the vasectomy reversed if that’s what it takes.”

“You’d actually get it reversed if it meant me coming back to you?” I asked in a calm voice.

“Yes. I would do that for you. I love you, and I never stopped. It took you leaving me to realize that.”

“You’re more twisted and sicker than I thought. You don’t do that to someone you love!” I shouted. “Actually, I don’t think you even know what love is, Darren, and I don’t think you can truly love anyone. Because if you were capable, you wouldn’t have done what you did. You sat there month after month and watched me suffer. Nobody who truly loves someone would do that!”

“I screwed up in a big way, and I’m apologizing. What more do you want from me?” he shouted back.

“I want you to leave me alone! I will never go back to you in my lifetime. If anything good came out of all this, it’s the fact that I’m stronger than ever. So actually, Darren, I’m thanking you. Good luck, and if I were you, when you get back to New York, look up a good therapist and make an appointment. Maybe by the grace of God, you can turn yourself around and figure out how to be a decent human being.”

I walked away, climbed into the jeep, and drove away from the bed and breakfast. For the first time in a long time, my head was clear. When I arrived home, I stepped through the door, flipped the light switch, and looked around the beautiful home I’d made for myself. It was late, and I knew Luis would be worrying all night if he didn’t hear me, so I pulled my phone from my purse and texted him.

“I just wanted to let you know I’m home. I’m fine, and I’ll fill you in tomorrow.”

“Are you sure? I can come right over and stay with you tonight.”

“Thank you, but I promise you I’m fine. We’ll chat tomorrow. Good night.”

“Good night, darling. Sleep well.”

I poured myself a glass of wine, started the firepit, and sipped from my glass as I sat down and listened to the whispers of the ocean.

CHAPTER27

Adalyn

Before I headed to the art gallery, I stopped at Rooster’s and grabbed two coffees. There was one more stop I felt I needed to make before work.

“Hey there.” I smiled as I walked up to the Betty Lou and saw Colin standing on the deck.

“Good morning.” A bright smile crossed his face.

“I brought you a coffee.” I handed him a cup.

“Thank you. You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know, but I wanted to.”

He held his hand out and helped me onto the boat.

“I wanted to thank you for last night. I talked with Darren and finally got the closure I needed.”

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