I hated it nonetheless.
“I admit that I made a mistake by keeping this away from you, foolishly thinking I was doing the right thing. But I did not betray you, Darla.” I shook my head, my fists clenching. “I’m not your mother. Do not lump me in the same category as Diane Hill.”
She flicked her chin in a dismissive manner, narrowing her eyes. “Until tonight, I didn’t even know I had an aunt.”
“It was one of Diane’s best-kept secrets. Judging by what was presented tonight, you know why.”
“My parents.” She swallowed and glanced at the painting on our right—a deep blue turbulent sea that depicted the state of our nuptials. “Do you know their names?”
“Désirée Ivy Hill and Apollo D’Ambrosio.”
“Ivy,” Darla scoffed. “At least my moth—at leastDianegave me something from my biological mother.”
“Anything you want to know about your parents, I will answer to the best of my knowledge.” I crossed the distance separating us and grabbed her face. “Just ask me, please.”
I exerted patience, knowing my pregnant wife’s feelings were in a fragile state after everything that was unveiled. She wasn’t weak by any means. Yet I treated her like glass because I feared once the adrenaline faded, she’d break down into tears and need her pillar.
The bitterest smile imaginable appeared to twitch the corners of her mouth.
“It’s too late for that.” She removed my hands and turned away. “I’m done having this conversation. I’m packing my bags and leaving tonight. I’m requesting space to clear my head and be with my family. You need to respect that.”
I understood her need to be with her family, but dismissing me like I were an object and not her husband set my teeth on edge.
I chased her down the hallway and forced her to whirl around.
“You’re my wife, goddammit! We’ve come too far to let something trivial like this impact us,” I snarled. “I know I’ve made a mistake and I’m sorry! Tonight was a lot to take in, but you’re being stubborn and punishing both of us by walking away.”
“You think this is something trivial?” she returned in an incredulous voice. “I believe you when you say you’re sorry, but it doesn’t change the fact that I need to leave. You put us in jeopardy by not destroying that folder. Now it landed in the wrong hands, Zeno.”
She twisted out of my hold and practically ran to our room.
I put out a hand on the door just as she went to shut it.
“You promised you would never leave,” I rasped, the words dragged out of the deepest parts of my soul. “You said you would never let me go.”
Darla shook her head, looking seconds from crying. “I’m sorry, Zeno, but I’m done.”
The door closed on my face.
I slammed a fist against the wooden surface, my heart splintering in two.
I’m done.
We were not done by a long shot.
Darla could pack her bags and leave to visit her mother and sister for a few days. I would give her space, but in time I’d drag my wife back where she belonged.
We made sacred vows and we were going to fucking uphold them until our dying breaths.
With those thoughts ringing in my skull, I blazed into my office and beelined it straight for the painting hanging on the wall behind my desk.
I snatched it and threw it to the floor, revealing the carefully hidden safe.
It was where I kept the original folder containing all the dirt on the Hills.
My fingers entered the combination and the safe opened with a gentle click.
The folder was missing.