journey of healing our marriage. We aren’t completely broken, just bent over something we are both struggling to navigate through. And despite it all, the pain and suffering, keeping Lex away at an arm’s length because of my own fears, will only hurt us more right now.
We are a family.
It isn’t just about Lex and me either, Amelia also deserves my complete and utter devotion in joining Lex by trying to make us whole again.
I drive through the streets at record speed until Dreamteam Studios is directly in front of me. Parking my car, I run toward the entrance, almost out of breath as the receptionist greets me. I haven’t been on-site for months and have no idea who she is, surprised to see Lex has hired a brunette for once.
“Can I help you?”
“I’m here to see Lex.”
“I’m sorry.” Her fake smile irritates me so much, along with the way she stares at my attire.
I would let her know I’m wearing Valentino, but my fashion choice is of no importance right now.
“You’ll need an appointment.”
Frustrated, I shake my head. “I’m his wife. Now, tell me where he is, or I’ll hunt him down myself.”
The receptionist is taken aback by my threat but slowly connects the dots in her air-filled head.
“He’s in an important meeting in Boardroom A. You can’t interrupt him… there’s a strict no interruption rule. He will fire me if you go in there!”
Screw that rule.
I’ll make sure he doesn’t fire her.
My Louboutin heels click on the porcelain tiles, searching the nameplates on the doors until I see Boardroom A. There’s a glass wall, and Lex is sitting at the head of the table appearing uninterested while an older gentleman is talking. Lex’s jacket is removed and hanging on the back of his chair, he’s wearing his vest and tie, and looks dashing as the ever-so-powerful CEO.
With his body leaning back in his chair, his expression appears conflicted with his phone in his hand. His eyes wander to the screen, then his fingers are typing rapidly, only to press his lips together in a slight grimace before pressing send.
Seconds later, my phone vibrates in my purse.
Lex: I love you, Charlotte. Forever. Always. I’ll wait as long as you need me to.
His words evoke the emotions I’ve forced myself to bury. I had grown accustomed to impatient, demanding, and controlling Lex, but I can see his repent for the mistakes he’s made.
I open the door wide, every face in the room glances my way, and with my heart beating incredibly fast, I ignore everyone beside Lex.
With a concerned expression, he immediately rises from his chair, his neck muscles straining as he walks over to where I am standing. “Charlotte, is everything okay?”
“Yes, no… I need to speak with you,” I rush out.
Lex excuses himself before closing the door behind us, grabbing my hand, he walks me toward his office. Once the door is closed, he let’s me go and asks, “What’s wrong?”
I bury my head in his chest, welcoming his quick embrace while allowing the suppressed emotions to run free, sobbing loudly as the weight of our actions has come to the surface.
“I love you,” I cry, swallowing the lump inside my throat. “It hurts, but I love you.”
Raising his hands, he cups my cheeks, forcing our gaze to meet, and almost like a chameleon, I swear, even in the darkest of times, his eyes morph into emerald green.
Just like always, they blanket me with love and warmth, but still, there’s a part of me that’s scared to allow him access to all of my heart if the only purpose is to break me until there’s nothing left.
You have to learn to trust him, Charlie.
Love will never survive without it.
“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.”
Lex closes his eyes, almost as if a weight has been lifted off his shoulders, only to open them again moments later. “Charlotte Edwards, I love you.”
He places his mouth on mine, teasing me with a slow and soft kiss, igniting the fire within my belly and comforting me in the way words never can. I refuse to regret my actions or wish the past away, understanding the purpose of the journey