Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 61190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
It was hard to be upset when the people I cared about the most were so content, and it wasn’t like I was left out. I was right there with them, enjoying a new sense of connection with every single one of them.
“Really? You’re not just saying that, right?” Brianna asked, still looking concerned.
I offered her a comforting smile as I shook my head.
“I’m not just saying that. You know that I care about the guys. They’re family to me besides my actual little brother,” I replied. I hadn’t seen him in forever, but he was saving lives in his own way as a firefighter. “But I love you. I love seeing you so happy and pleased when you’re with them too.”
Brianna’s eyes glittered with happiness before she wrapped her arms around my neck, leaning into my arms for a warm embrace.
“I love you so much,” she murmured. “Thank you.”
I rubbed her back, my cheek pressing against hers. She was right. Our marriage was stronger than ever before because of such an unorthodox decision, but every relationship was different. Ours was one of a kind, and there were more layers to it than anyone on the outside would ever be able to guess.
As long as Brianna still wanted to fall into my arms too, I was content with her seeking the company of the men I trusted the most. At the end of the day, there was nothing better to me than the people I cared about being happy and safe together.
But we had to survive this mission first, and the hardest part was yet to come.
Chapter 20
Brianna
My eyes swept around the room as I sat on the couch in my parents’ living room. My childhood home. A place of memories and lessons that couldn’t be contained by these off-white walls. Where my parents and David stared down at me with looks of disgust and disappointment on their faces.
“I can’t believe this! How could my own daughter do something like this?” my dad asked, his angry voice booming throughout the room as he threw his hands up. He was a tall, large man, always towering over others with his thin, short hair and dark eyes.
My mom, a petite woman with long hair that matched mine, cried into her hands, sniffling and letting out a shuddery breath.
“I’m so… disappointed,” she said before she glared at me. “How could you betray your husband like this? How could you go crawling to other men when he’s always been here for you?”
I parted my lips in shock as I looked between all of them, my head spinning as they shamed me. I turned to David, who watched me with crossed arms and a stony expression.
“I thought you were okay with it. Didn’t we agree on that?” I asked as my eyes started to burn, confusion and fear striking me in the chest like a bolt of lightning. What happened? We were happy with the arrangement!
At least I thought.
“How could I be happy when I’m married to a slut?” David bit out as he stepped closer to me, his eyes darkening.
I flinched at his words, a tear spilling from my eyes. I hadn’t ever heard him speak to me like that. Ever!
“David…” I murmured, my throat tightening painfully.
“You’re not worthy of him or his love,” my mom told me as she moved closer as well.
My dad followed suit as they all stalked toward me like predators going after prey, making me feel smaller and weaker with each step that they took.
“You will pay for the wrongs you’ve committed!” my dad snapped.
I put my hands up as I squeezed my eyes shut, darkness taking hold of me as they swarmed me. My pleads fell on deaf ears, the sound ringing in my mind as I shot up in bed with sweat glimmering on my forehead and a gasp.
My eyes darted around the bedroom in the cottage as I grounded myself to reality. Or tried to. The tension and intensity of my nightmare loomed over me like a shadow, making me shift in discomfort as tears stung my eyes. It was just a dream, but… what if it came true?
What if David changed his mind and my parents found out? Not that I had much of a close relationship with my family anymore, besides my brother, but their influence was so hard to shake. They would be quick to let me know that I disappointed them. They weren’t happy with Ryder when they found out that he was sharing the love of his life with his friends, and I knew that it would be ten times worse for me because I was the daughter.
I couldn’t deal with their disappointment on top of the uncertainty that I already felt.
What if I was setting my marriage up for failure by letting this carry on? David had good intentions, but I was the one sleeping with other men. I was the one changing everything and putting things at risk.