Without her—I amdead.
Forgiveness is not as simple as I’d hoped for. The last few days tested both of us.
Being in the same house and not sleeping in bed together was incredibly hard. Every time we managed to be in the same room, I ached to reach out and caress her.
It’s her smile, her laughter, and the way she tells some ridiculous story about Eric which always ended up boring me since the man has the most unfortunate luck. All of it was a piece of her I’d taken advantage of, never realizing how important the simple things are until they’re taken away from you.
We were back on talking terms, but I knew she was still processing everything. The woman is stubborn at the best of times. Charlotte made it perfectly clear she wasn’t ready for me to touch her intimately, despite my selfish need to take her in the parking lot the night of the event.
I’m clinging to hope we can somehow get through this. We’d been through so much already, and our love for each other tested many times. Yet, what doesn’t kill you supposedly makes you stronger.
My hope and my prayers were answered thirty minutes ago when Charlotte busted into the boardroom and requested to see me in private.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, panicked.
She buried her head in my chest while sobbing loudly.
“I love you,” she cried. “It hurts, but I love you.”
“If I have to spend my entire life earning your forgiveness, I will do just that. I can’t … we can’t be apart. I cannot let you go.”
“I don’t want you to let me go. We promised it was ride or die. I’m standing here, breathing, alive, and want to give our family a second chance to become one again.”
The Bluetooth inside the car begins to ring as I drive down the freeway toward home. Adriana’s name flashes on the screen, so I answer in case something is wrong since she has Amelia.
“Adriana,” I answer, rushed. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong, Lex. I’m sitting outside with Andy and Amelia. They’re in the sandpit playing.”
My shoulders immediately relax. “Okay, just making sure.”
“So, how are things at home? I spoke to Charlie.”
“If you spoke to Charlotte, then you know…”
“I’m sorry, Lex.”
“What are you sorry for?”
“I just feel responsible for your marriage almost ending,” she admits with a heaviness in her tone. “I mean, my husband is the reason why you could have lost everything.”
I shake my head even though she’s unable to see. The last thing Adriana needs to do is blame herself for another thing.
“I’m the idiot who screwed up my marriage. Don’t blame yourself. I’ve made some really bad decisions, and if anyone should be saying sorry, it’s me.”
Adriana’s cumbersome sigh echoes through the speaker. “When is it supposed to get easier?”
There isn’t an answer I can give her, despite wanting to protect my sister.
“I don’t know. But it’s Eric's birthday this weekend, and Rocky is flying over again. You know what happens when Rocky has had too much to drink, and Eric is oversensitive about his age.”
“There’s always something to look forward to, I guess.” Adriana chuckles softly. “Anyway, I called you to ask if it was okay if Amelia stayed the night?”
“I guess, but are you sure?”
“Yeah, she keeps Andy entertained, plus I figured since you and Charlie have made up, you’ll be busy in the bedroom.”
This time, it’s my turn to laugh. “My wife is hot.”