05
933 Words
05
Killian’s POV
The flight back to New York was quiet. Heavy.
Hannah sat curled up in the opposite corner of the jet, eyes closed. But she wasn’t sleeping. She hadn’t said a single word to me. Not that I expected her to.
I was just some stranger who pulled her out of a life she’d grown comfortable in. A life where she’d apparently found someone she trusted. Someone who wasn’t me… her husband.
Her hair was shorter, and she looked thinner. My chest burned painfully with guilt. The memories tried to shove their way into my head, but I fought them off.
When Trey Miller called me with the news and instructions to fly out to Portugal, I didn’t believe it. But seeing her again, alive… relief warmed me to the bones.
I leaned back in my seat, the platinum ring felt like lead in my pockets. Her eyes fluttered open. They were wet, like she’d been crying.
She had.
For a moment, I felt bad. But this was life, and we all had our roles to play.
Chocolate eyes fixed on me and I pulled out the ring.
“This belongs to you,” I said simply, then held it out. Her eyes widened. I couldn’t decide if it was shock, fear… or disbelief in those orbs.
Her jaw tightened and her eyes narrowed. “Why wasn’t I wearing it?”
This was the Hannah I knew. Fiery, spirited… and a force. Not the sulking, sad or quiet Hannah. However, the situation gave her a pass.
I managed a small smile. If only to make her comfortable.
“We had a fight, and you left it on our nightstand.” The lie rolled off my lips easily. But was it really a lie? We did have a fight. She was stubborn.
Then her lips wobbled. “I’m sorry. You’re supposed to be my husband, and I’m not even considering how you must feel in all this.”
Tentatively, she took the ring and slipped it on her fingers. A breath I didn’t know I was holding slipped out from my lips.
It fit.
Of course it did. I'd had it made immediately I got the news. But still, the sight of it on her finger…
“It’s fine. I understand. I’m sorry too… that I didn’t find you sooner. And the accident.” This was true.
I had so much regret, so much guilt. But only I was privy to it. And so I had to deal with it.
She stared at the ring on her finger. Her lips formed a small pout. “I was wearing this?”
She sounded incredulous. Like the ring was too fancy, or too expensive for her. Of course, she didn’t remember that she had money either.
“Yes.” I nodded. “You picked it out.” That was another lie. I grimaced.
“What’s your name?”
“Killian. Killian Grayson,” I replied quickly.
She hummed and closed her eyes again. I let out a breath. I guess that signaled the end of our conversation.
I pulled out my phone and scrolled through the string of messages. From her parents, my parents and my lawyer.
The decision to go on with the funeral was a hard one. We’d buried an empty coffin, and all hope felt lost.
I clicked open the text from my lawyer; Hannah Miller’s death was legally documented. Her files are on their way to being terminated. You should file for an emergency reversal.
My tongue clicked the roof of my mouth. I typed out my response: What the hell am I paying you for?
With the phone still on, I shot a quick text to Trey Miller, confirming that Hannah was indeed alive and on the way to New York.
***
Manhattan whipped past us in a blur, and soon we were at my estate. Cars that belonged to the Millers were parked in the driveway.
A few seconds after the car skidded to a stop, Erica and Trey flew out of the house. They enveloped Hannah in a hug while she stood stoic in their embrace, hands limp at her sides.
Erica whisked her away, and Trey gave me a short smile.
“We need to talk,” he said. I gave a brisk nod and led him to my office. We really needed to know how we could move forward from here.
Trey took a seat and I poured us a glass of bourbon. I downed mine in one go, and groaned. Then I popped my neck and let out a sigh.
“Thank f**k she’s alive. I was losing my goddamn mind,” I told Trey. He looked just as relieved as I felt.
Although something told me he could stomach the guilt more than I could. And that was something.
“Joey still deserved that death. He was careless and reckless,” Trey said.
I nodded in agreement. He did. He had one job.
“What’s next, now that she’s back and alive?” Trey leaned forward. His brows were raised in question.
“We continue,” I replied. “She believes she’s my wife. That means the deal stays alive.”
Trey nodded. A slow smile spread across his lips. He shook my hand. “Welcome to the family, son.”
The familiar tug of guilt nagged at my chest. This was not the way I thought I’d be welcomed into the family.
But what had to be done… had to be done.
Now, I only hoped her memories did not return.
- Writer
