Chapter 40
Breathless
Veronica’s POV
“Oh dear, I heard what happened, are you alright?” My father asked, worried. He looked like he wanted to hug me but didn’t want to push me
too hard.
“Yes. I am fine now. Both I and the baby are safe, Father,” I assured him, crouching over to hug him.
Maybe it was time to move on from the past and focus on the future. And I was going to start that by becoming the daughter he always wanted.
His hands wrapped around me, “I am so glad you’re okay, Veronica. I rushed back as soon as Orthon told me that news. I can’t believe Betty was still holding on to those outrageous theories of hers.”
“It’s okay, father. We can’t control anyone’s mind,” I said to him. “I only beg that you do not get pissed at Orthon for locking her up.”
“Oh, she deserves to be locked up for thinking that she could hurt you and just get away with it,” he said, surprising me. I pulled away from the hug to make sure he wasn’t acting angry and just saying this to ease me. Turns out, he wasn’t.
“So you’re really not bothered? I mean she is your wife and all…” I trailed off and he placed a finger on my chin.
“You are the most important person in my life, Veronica. I didn’t spend all those years looking for you just to lose you because of another woman’s jealousy. She is going to remain there until her senses return, trust me,”
נד
he said and I smiled.
“Thank you.”
“Let’s have dinner together tonight, yeah?” He offered and I nodded.
“Sure. I’ll inform Orthon.”
A look immediately crossed his face and he gave a knowing smile.
“What happened? Why are you smiling like that?” I eyed him suspiciously and he chuckled.
“Nothing, it’s just that you and Orthon are really close,” he said.
“Yeah, we’re very good friends. He was there for me during the worst times of my life,” I explained and another look crossed his eyes.
“Is that so?”
I hated the fact that my cheeks were heating up already. It was just a question, there was no need for me to react this way!
Yet, it felt like I was deceiving myself.
“It’s not
I what you think. Orthon doesn’t like me that way,” I told him and it only made his smile widen. “Pa!” I groaned.
My father chuckled, his laugh warm and knowing. “Oh, Veronica, you’re my daughter. I can see things even if you can’t.”
I crossed my arms, feeling flustered. “There’s nothing to see, father. Orthon is just my friend. That’s it.”
“Is that so?” he said with a raised eyebrow. “Because the way he looks at you tells a different story.”
DAL
I opened my mouth to argue but stopped. Memories of Orthon came
rushing in–his kindness, the way he always knew how to comfort me, the way he made me feel safe.
I shook my head, trying to push the thoughts away. “He’s just protective, that’s all. He doesn’t think of me that way.”
“And what about you?” my father asked gently. “How do you feel about him?”
I froze. How did I feel? I had always told myself it was just friendship. Orthon had been my rock during hard times, and I thought that was all there was to it. But now, my father’s words made me question everything.
“It’s… complicated,” I said, avoiding his eyes.
“Love often is,” he said softly. “But you deserve happiness, Veronica. After all you’ve been through, you deserve someone who truly cares for you.”
His words hit me hard, and I felt tears threaten to form. He was right. I did deserve someone to care for me after all I have been through but I haven’t exactly been lucky in that department, have I?
If someone I dedicated seven years of my life to could hurt me this way. what was the guarantee that Orthon wouldn’t do the same? That is if he was even interested in me.
“Let’s not talk about this anymore,” I said quickly, standing up. “I’ll go let Orthon know about dinner.
My father smiled knowingly but didn’t push further. “Alright, but just remember, sometimes, the best things in life happen when you least expect them.”
I didn’t dare give that a thought. The idea of Orthon and I was just ridiculous.
I walked to my room with a flaming face and met Orthon asleep on my bed. He stayed with me last night and wouldn’t leave even when I assured him for the umpteenth time that I was fine.
I sat on the bed beside him and
his face as he slept. He was satched his beautiful curly hair fall over
a breathtaking man.
I gently pushed the curls away from his face.
‘And a stylish one too,‘ I noted to myself. I loved the way he always took
care of himself. The way he cared about his appearance and he wasn’t even arrogant about it.
He stirred gently but didn’t wake and I smiled like a fool, watching him sleep. Those plump pink lips called to me like a siren song.
Like one in a trance. I gently moved my thumb over them. Was it bad that I wanted a taste of it? Was it greedy?
I found myself leaning in before I even realized it.
I almost smacked myself. What the fuck was I doing? Was I really going to take the risk of kissing him in his sleep? I must have lost my fucking
mind.
Yet for some reason, I couldn’t stop myself. I allowed my lips to keep getting closer until we were just inches apart.
‘What the hell are you doing, Veronica?! Are you really going to take advantage of a man in his sleep?!‘ my subconscious scolded me and I immediately felt ashamed.
What the fuck was I even thinking?
However, just as I was about to move away, I felt his palm at the back of my head. One light push and my lips smashed against his.
My breathing seized as those beautiful oceanic eyes flickered open.
Oh my goodness, I’m screwed!
Chapter 41
