Frayed (Torn #2)(55)

Now that my wish was to be granted, I was more than conflicted. Could I do it? Be with him knowing I’d made him leave Becka and their baby? It was abhorrent, but, back in the day, this wouldn’t even have been a question. I would’ve gone to hell and back just to be in his arms, to be with him and make him mine, forever. Married to Harry as my husband…

Harry’s face didn’t falter as he responded. “It’s already done. I love you and I’m risking it all to be with you, Trista.”

Taylor tugged my arms and spun me around. “This man has done enough damage to last you a lifetime, Tris. Don’t give him another chance to hurt you.” Those green eyes looked desperate as he tried to reason with my heart and my mind. “Be with me, Trista.”

No, don’t ruin this. Not right in front of Harry, I pleaded with my eyes. “Taylor, don’t do this—”

From behind, Harry interrupted. “You heard her, lady. She’s basically telling you to go away.”

No…wait. “Please…” Don’t go.

Taylor’s nose flared while his eyes darkened. His hand was slowly letting go of mine.

“Hey! What the hell is going on? Is this man Harry?” Lindsey sprinted from the tiny street along with Bass, Emma and Dimitris. “Leave her alone, you pig! You can’t just come here and expect her to come running back into your arms after you dumped her like she was a piece of paper. You need to leave!” Lindsey was ready to pummel Harry’s ass to the ground, but Emma held her back.

Harry broke lose as he spat back at Lindsey, at us. “I hadn’t planned on leaving her. I swear! It just came out that way. Things got too complicated with the baby involved. It wasn’t supposed to end like that. We weren’t supposed to end at all.”

Oh no!!! Not like this. I never intended for them to find out like this, most especially Taylor—who went completely still after I heard him take a sharp breath.

“What baby is he talking about Trista?” Lindsey was looking at Harry and back to me. She looked alarmed and sad at the same time as she tried to comprehend everything at once.

“f*uk. I’m sorry. I thought they knew. The way she verbally attacked me, I thought she knew.” Harry strode to my side and cupped my tear-stained face. “I’m sorry.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? You should’ve told me…” Lindsey trailed off as her eyes immediately sought Emma’s. “Why aren’t you saying anything? You knew didn’t you?”

Emma nodded, biting her lip as she looked at me. “I did, but it wasn’t my secret to tell, Linds.”

Lindsey’s teary eyes darted to my bare stomach before she looked at my face. “Your stomach is still flat, and for the last few weeks, you have been with Taylor… so, I’m guessing, there’s no baby anymore, is there?”

I shook my head in response, crying in earnest as my body started to shiver.

“I’m sorry, Tris…” Lindsey started to cry, but Dimitris was there to gather her in his arms.

After a full minute of silence, Harry started to move. “I’m going to take her inside. We have things to talk about. I hope you all understand that.” He addressed Emma and Lindsey, who both nodded at his statement.

As Harry was guiding me towards the cottage, I chanced to look at Taylor. He was rooted to the spot, his head down and staring at the cemented road.





Chapter 23


Trista


We were inside the living room as Harry waited for me to finish crying. As much as I tried to stop the tears, my tear ducts had their own agenda.

“I’m sorry for outing you like that with your friends. I really thought they knew or I wouldn’t have said it like that. I’m so sorry.” Harry sat on his heels as he covered my hands with his. “I’m sorry for everything. I’ll make it up to you for the rest of my life if I have to.”

He was here to ask me for marriage. How was that even possible after what I had been through? Now he was back and I didn’t know what to say or do. I was back to that old self. The overwhelming feeling of being around him again was decapitating me, making me mindless. Harry then did the craziest thing. He got on one knee and took out a mauve, velvet ring box. Oh. Hell!!!

“Our love hasn’t been easy for us, but I believe in it. There’s more hardship ahead of us, but I know we can get through it as long as we have each other. I’ve been selfishly stupid and I will never forgive myself for walking out on you that night. I’ve regretted it every day. I didn’t know how I much love I had for you until I had lost you, Trista. I can’t stand not to have you in my life. You have me, my heart, forever. Marry me and I vow to be your loyal, loving husband, who will love and cherish you, for the rest of your life.” Harry, for the very first time, had tears in his eyes. His hands pried the box open to reveal a large, princess-cut, five-carat diamond ring on an eternity band. The ring was absolutely perfect.

His proposal moved me, more than words could say, but doubts still lurked within me. The trust I once had for him was no longer present. “You have no idea how I’ve dreamt of this happening. I still love you, but I don’t know what to say right now. So much has happened. No promises or vows will ever change that.”

“I understand and I don’t want to force you.” His finger took hold of the ring out of the box and placed it on my shaky ring finger. “Think about it. This ring was meant for you. I know I can’t stay here tonight and I have to get back home anyway.” Harry moved and sat next to me on the couch, seeking my lips as he slowly kissed me. “I’ll be waiting for you when you get home. I hope by then it will be enough time for you to think it through. I love you. In my heart, you knew you were the only one in it.”