“Of course, without a doubt. I always want you in my life and by my side. And if losing Father has to happen for me to get that, then that’s how it’ll have to be. Don’t you see? I choose you, Jeni. If he threatens or abuses you mentally or physically again, and you don’t tell me—”
“I promise to tell you. Keeping secrets from you was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I wanted to tell you so many times what was happening, but I could never find the courage. I’m sorry that I didn’t put all my belief in you.”
He takes my hands in his. “Baby, you don’t know how much that hurt me. I felt like you had betrayed me by not telling me the truth. You go on about ‘trust,’ and I give you mine freely. And after everything we have been through, you didn’t trust me enough to tell me... you broke my heart, Jeni. How can I trust you if you don’t trust me enough to tell me everything? We’re getting married. A marriage is based on love, commitment, and trust. If we don’t have that, then we have nothing,” Aiden says, ripping my heart apart.
“Aiden, right now to be honest, I don’t really understand what I was thinking. I was scared you would physically hurt your father to the point of no return and be taken from me again to jail, and that your relationship with him would be irrevocably broken because of me. I didn’t want either of those outcomes. But I understand, and I do trust you. I trust you implicitly, and I know you only want what’s best for me, and I love you for it…” I give him a confident smile. “Aiden, I trust you. I know not telling you what was happening was the stupidest mistake I’ve ever made, and one I’ll never make again. I’ll tell you everything that happens from now on, and I promise to let you in, always.”
He exhales and wraps his arm around my shoulders pulling me into his side. “That’s all I ask, Jeni. I love you so much, and I need you to know that all I want is to make you happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
“This is good, open, and honest communication between you. Jeni, do you feel more confident in yourself, and the fact that you won’t be around Aiden’s father in the workplace?” Dee offers.
I nod slightly. “I still feel hesitant to be alone with Niall when it comes to family get-togethers, and the fact that he mentioned he could get Jason, my ex, out on a day or weekend pass scares the hell out of me.”
“Jeni, I did a little background research on Jason after your last visit, and trust me when I say Jason can’t be released on a day or weekend pass. It would be impossible in his current mental condition. He won’t be able to hurt you again, Jeni. Niall’s threats were empty. You have nothing to worry about where Jason’s concerned. I can assure you of that… unconditionally.”
I crease my forehead. “So, Niall has no leverage. Oh my God,” I whisper the last part, coming to the realization that Niall no longer has any power over me. I feel lighter, free even. A smile crosses my face as Aiden looks at me intently.
“Is that why you let him belittle you, apart from the obvious?” I nod. “Oh, baby.” Aiden sighs pulling me to him, kissing my head.
“I can stand up to him now, Aiden. If I have nothing to be worried about, then I have no reason to take his bullshit.”
“That’s right. Though, you should never have taken his bullshit. Anything he says to you, you need to tell me.”
“I will. I’m never holding out on you again.”
“Well, you two are probably the best self-counselors I’ve ever had. I feel like I should pay you for today’s session,” Dee jokes.
Aiden and I chuckle. “Thanks so much for the information about Jason, Dee. You have no idea how much that has helped me. It’s weird, how in an hour I can feel completely different about a situation that terrified me before, and now I feel like I don’t have a care in the world.”
Aiden smiles at me brightly. I know how worried he’s been about me and probably rightly so.
I was acting crazy attempting to keep his family together. While their relationship might look good on paper, in reality, sometimes, it can’t help but fall apart and play out in the direction it needs to go.
Niall can’t do anything to me now.
I won’t let him.
Elation and excitement course through my veins that I can walk out of here and start a fresh, new, happier life with Aiden by my side.
I wake to the sound of Aiden’s phone ringing. He jerks up suddenly and fumbles around, eventually finding it.
“Hello,” he answers through a yawn.
“Oh really? We can come today?
“Excellent job, Steve, we’ll be there shortly. Thanks.”
The mere mention of Steve, the construction site manager, wakes me right up and sends a shiver of excitement through me.
Aiden ends the call and turns to face me.
“Is it ready?” I ask with anticipation.
“It’s ready, baby,” he announces, pulling me to him. I kiss him quickly, then jump up from the bed. To say I’m excited is an understatement. We get dressed and head straight to the car, not stopping for breakfast.
Driving up the dirt track through the gates and up the steep hill, we see our new home in the distance surrounded by an immaculate green garden. It looks stunning from the outside—two stories high with pristine white walls and floor-to-ceiling windows. I grow more excited to see inside the closer we get. We pull up, we walk around the car, and Aiden takes my hand, looking at me lovingly.
“This is it. This is our home. This is where I intend to spend the rest of my life with you,” he says.