Secrets and Scars: A Gripping Psychological Thriller (Fatal Hearts Series Book 3) (16 page)

“Yes, please go,” Jeordi said. “We have to get back to the hotel anyway.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll send a car to pick you up at seven.” I stepped out the door.

The rest of the signing went by in a blur. When the doors closed in the evening, more joy than I ever thought I had a right to infused my every pore. The entire experience left me both relieved it had come to an end, and exhilarated at the show of support I had received from both readers and the press.

Before leaving, I thanked the store manager, and the employees responsible for making my day a huge success. Then I followed Owen out the door.

A handful of people still milled outside the bookstore, some requesting a last-minute autograph. I gave a few, and then excused myself before I fainted from pure exhaustion.

Owen opened the car door for me, but before I could enter, somebody tapped me on the shoulder. I turned, expecting another fan desperate for an autograph.

The blood drained from my face when I saw who it was.

“Melanie?” I held the door for support.

She looked better than she had when I saw her in Misty Cove over a year ago. Her hair had regained its gloss and now hung in a smooth ponytail down her back. Concealer did a fantastic job at hiding the bags under her eyes. In a pink silk blouse and flattering skinny jeans, she came close to resembling her old self.

“I’m sorry to disturb you.” She twisted the strap of her leather purse in her hands.

“No.” I touched her arm. “No, you’re not disturbing me at all.” From the corner of my eye, I saw Owen back away from us, giving us a moment alone.

“I wanted to have a word.” She glanced at my limousine. “But you must be—”

“I have time. Let’s talk inside.”

She nodded, hesitating for a moment before sliding into the back seat. Anxiety squeezed my heart as I closed the partition between the chauffeur and us.

“Chloe,” she started, and dropped her gaze into her lap. “I'm so sorry for the way I acted when you came to see me. It was uncalled for.”

“You came all this way to apologize? You didn't need to do that.”

She looked back up, her eyes glistening with tears. “I owed you an apology in person. Not only for that day, but for what happened a couple of years ago.” She hugged her purse. “When I heard about your book signing, I had to come.”

I twisted my body to face her. “Mel, I’m the one who ruined your life. Whatever you want to apologize for, consider it forgiven.”

“I’m the one who told Alvin where you were studying.”

My heart shifted inside my chest. The baby gave me two swift kicks. “What do you mean?”

“Alvin came to see me about a year after you left for college.” She averted her gaze. “He wanted to know where you were.”

“And you told him,” I whispered.

She nodded. “At first I was shocked to see him alive.” She drew in a breath. “He offered me money for information about you.” She returned her gaze to me. Mascara streaks tainted her otherwise flawless makeup. “I wish now that I hadn’t told him. But he threatened me… said he planned to kill all of us. But if I revealed your location, he said he’d spare my life.”

My brows met in the middle. “You sacrificed me?”

“I’m so, so sorry. I was a very angry person. Part of me wanted to pay you back for… for that night.”

Silence fell between us, heavy and tense, stretching into seconds, then minutes.

Finally, I reached for her hand. “I’m tired of thinking about the past. And I’ve made many of my own mistakes. I have no right to judge you.” I wiped a tear from her cheek. “I can’t blame you for wanting to save your own life.”

“Thank you. Thank you. I felt so guilty, for so long.” Melanie threw her arms around me and sobbed into my shoulder. I held her until she pulled back and wiped her face. Then I poured her a glass of water.

“Mel,” I said. “How would you like to work for Durant Press?”

“Me?” Her eyes brimmed with tears. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Say yes. You deserve a fresh start. I’ll help you out with whatever you need to get settled in Boca Raton. What do you say?”

“Um… yes! Yes. Thanks so much, Kel—Chloe.”

I laughed. “That’s great. We can start over. As friends.”

Her shoulders rose and fell as she sighed. “I’d like that very much.” She rooted inside her purse and produced a shiny midnight-blue hardback. She handed it to me. “The only thing that would make this day even more perfect is an autograph.”

Epilogue

Owen ran a gentle hand from the nape of my neck to my tailbone, then up again, while slow music swirled around us. As he swayed me around the white dance floor, I rested my chin on his shoulder and moved my gaze past the other couples to the rest of the room.

Crystal candelabras topped with white pillar candles and fragile white roses stood atop round tables draped with patterned damask covers.

Tina Daly and the other Silk & Petals wedding planners had done an amazing job transforming the reception hall of Boca Raton’s Resole Hotel into a modern fairy tale scene that glittered and glowed.

A few days after returning from Jamaica, I had called Tina and apologized for not contacting her sooner. Having already heard about what had happened to me, she was very understanding.

I told her there would still be a wedding and that I wanted her to plan it, leaving her with a promise to get back to her with dates and further information.

Most of the details were different from what I’d had in mind for my wedding with Miles, but every aspect of it screamed perfection. Especially the hand-painted floral wedding cake. The cascading sugar orchids just begged to melt on my tongue.

“Are you okay?” Owen whispered in my ear.

“No, I’m not okay.” I nuzzled my face into his neck. “I’m happy.”

“Good. So am I.”

“But… I’d be happier if my feet weren’t killing me. I think it’s time for a little break.”

“Okay, baby.” He placed a hand on the small of my back, over my flowing chiffon and lace dress.

We left the dance floor and settled into our seats. Under the table, I slid my feet out of my ballerinas. I let out a huge sigh and rested my hands on my stomach.

Just one more month, Chloe. Your little angel will be here in no time.

My aches and pains went out the door when I spotted Kirsten walking up to our table, her hips swaying gracefully inside her crystal beaded tulle gown. Her normally straight hair had been curled for the wedding, and it hung in seductive red waves down her back. She was the most beautiful bride I had ever seen.

“I'm breaking the rules tonight,” she said, beaming.

“Really?” I tilted my head back to look into her face. “What kind of rules?”

“I want you to have this.” She waved her rose bouquet in front of me. “Don’t say no.”

I waved it away. “You can’t do that. That’s cheating.”

“It’s my wedding. I can do whatever I like.” She reached for my hand and pressed the rhinestone-encrusted stem into it. “Why throw the bouquet when I already know who I want to catch it?” She blinked away tears. “And you've given us this beautiful wedding. One day soon, I pray you'll have your own special day.”

I shook my head. “You're silly.”

“Yes, I am. And I love you.” She walked away before I could hand the bouquet back to her, returning to her new husband on the dance floor.

Owen moved his chair closer to mine. He picked up a glass of champagne and took a sip. “So, what does catching a bouquet actually mean?”

I placed the flowers on top of a monogrammed napkin and leaned back. “The one who catches it will get married next.”

“I see.” He took my hand in his. “Well, that's a good sign, because I’ve been thinking about us a lot lately.”

“Is that so? What's been on your mind?”

“This.” Before I could say another word, he slid one of the gold napkin rings onto my ring finger.

Any words I could have said froze inside my throat when he leaned forward to whisper into my ear. “I don't mean to steal the show from the happy couple, but I have to ask you now. Chloe Parker, will you be my wife?” He searched my face for an answer, his blue eyes sparkling in the candlelight. “I know marriage is probably the last thing on your mind after what happened, but—”

“But with you it will be perfect.” I bit back tears. “Yes, Owen Firmin, I will be your wife.” I wrapped my fingers around the napkin ring, around the promise he was giving me.

With Owen, I never had to waste time thinking too much. Up to this point, every decision I’d made concerning him had been the right one.
He
was my right decision.

“Are you sure you don't want to think about it? I’m willing to wait a little while.”

I pulled him to me by the lapels of his tuxedo, brought my lips to his. “I’m taking a break from thinking,” I said when our lips parted. “I only know one thing: I want you in my life forever.”

“That's music to my ears.” He beamed. “How about we get married before the baby comes?”

I cocked an eyebrow. “How about next week?”

THE END

Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed this book please consider writing a
review
, and recommend it to friends and family.

Are you interested in another dark romance series by Dori Lavelle, consider reading the His Agenda series by clicking
here
.

Other Books By Dori Lavelle

Moments in Time series (Contemporary Romance)

To Live Again serial (Contemporary Romance)

His Agenda series (Dark Romance)

Connect with Dori Lavelle

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Email: [email protected]