Fidelity (Infidelity #5)(37)

“I took you.”

I tried to swallow. “T-took me? Why?”

“Adelaide, you don’t have to stay with me. I just couldn’t let that monster…” His hands balled to fists at his side. “…Alexandria… you almost…” His strong, confident demeanor fought to overtake his emotions as his words came in fragments. “I-I know you told me to leave… I respected your wishes… I understand that you hate me… You should… I just… I’ve told you…” He took another step closer. “Once I love, I can’t stop. Those I love, I must protect.”

Tears streamed from my eyes as each of his declarations twisted my heart. The man I’d loved since the first time I met him teetered before me on the balls of his feet.

During our affair he’d been a powerful man in his own right. I presumed he still was. Yet at this moment he was waiting for me, giving me what no man had ever given me, the power to make or break him—us.

I couldn’t move or speak as I took in the handsome face of the only man who’d ever loved me unconditionally. He’d aged, but each year had only made him better looking. Now in blue jeans and a button-down shirt, with more salt in his dark hair than pepper, he was still the same man who’d made me laugh, smile, and love.

I shook my head. “No, Oren. I never hated you.”

He lowered his chin. “You should.”

I lifted my hand, beckoning him closer. As we touched a renewed surge of energy zapped through me. “I didn’t hate you. I hated me. I told you to leave because I didn’t want you to waste your life with me, asking for what I couldn’t give.”

Releasing our touch, he lowered the railing and sat beside me. Reaching again for my hand, he kissed my knuckles, his warm lips reigniting the spark he’d lit long ago, decades ago, at a Christmas party. “I did what you said. I left, but amore mio, I never stopped loving you.”

“You deserve so much more.” I tilted my face toward the warmth of his palm as he caressed my cheek.

“No. I never deserved you. I still don’t, but I can’t fight it anymore. I kidnapped you.”

My eyes widened. “Kidnapped me?”

He nodded. “We stole you from Magnolia Woods.”

“Is that where I was? That terrible place?”

“Yes.”

Memories came and went. “There was an awful person. I can’t remember much, but he scared me.”

“He’ll never hurt you again. No one will.”

I bristled at his words. “What about…” I didn’t want to say his name; however, honesty between Oren and I had always been our strength. “…Alton?”

Oren’s shoulders widened. “Leave him for good. He almost killed you. You can’t deny it. We have medical proof.”

My chin fell forward. Shame and disgust veiled my vision as I refused to look into the blue eyes I adored. I’d allowed everything that happened. I’d willingly married Alton Fitzgerald. I’d stayed with him despite his vile ways. Sitting with Oren, I didn’t want to remember the beatings or belittling. I’d been too weak to leave. The only strength I’d shown was for Alexandria, but even that hadn’t been enough. I didn’t hate Oren for what he’d done, but I was certain my daughter hated me for what she perceived I hadn’t done.

Oren lifted my chin. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but let me explain. According to a hair follicle test we recently ran, a few months ago your alcohol and opioid use increased significantly. Yet according to the records from your doctor, he didn’t increase your prescription. He had months before, but the levels in your blood exceeded all that had been prescribed. Our people traced a connection between one of the staff members at Montague and a local drug dealer.”

“What? Who?”

“OxyContin is a synthetic opioid, chemically similar to the Vicodin your doctor prescribed for your migraines. I’m not a chemist, but we’ve had doctors working on this. By giving that to you, it appeared as though you were overusing your Vicodin. The OxyContin is much stronger. Its use has similar side effects as a Vicodin overdose. When combined with alcohol, especially in large amounts, the result can be lethal.”

The small bit of water I’d drunk sloshed about my otherwise empty stomach as his words seeped into my consciousness.

“You’re saying I didn’t do this to myself. It was done to me?”

Oren nodded. “Unless you tell me otherwise.”

I shook my head. “I can’t remember. I recall trying to cut back on wine. I even stopped drinking the white during the day. I wouldn’t even have a glass until…” I recalled Alton’s newfound attention in the evening, spending time in our suite before dinner. “…oh my God.”

He again caressed my cheek. “Do you see why I needed to save you?”

“But how? How would you know?”

“It’s a long story. Let’s just say it involves many more people.”

“Who?” I asked. “Who was the Montague staff member?” I’d lived my entire life at Montague. I knew from experience that the staff was sycophantic to Alton’s every wish, but this was different. Who would assist in poisoning me?

“A Brantley Peterson.”

Tears again formed. “Brantley purchased drugs?”