Chapter 166

Almara’s Pov

The ride back is tense. Before we left, I told my parents that something came up and I had to go home early, but that I would be back. They weren’t thrilled, I fact I think they have more disdain towards Arthur than they did before. I keep replaying our conversation in my head.

They asked if this has anything to do with Graces teacher and I getting dinner, and I wanted to tell them no, but my face already gave it all away. “Do you really have to leave because of this?” They asked, not caring that Arthur’s feelings are sincerely hurt.

“My marriage comes first.” I told them matter-of-fact. “I promise we’ll visit more often. I really enjoyed my time here.” My mother’s shoulders dropped.

“Then why won’t you stay here?” She lifted her eyes up to meet Arthurs. “You both can stay for a while.” I told my mother that all of our things are back at Arthurs. We can’t be living between parents house. In fact we need to get back to buying a house, but I didn’t mention that part.

So, I stood in my childhood living room with my black leather suitcase stuffed to the brim ready to be shipped back home. My decision was final There’s some sand stuck in the crevices from Arthur and my trip and it was at that moment I realized how in need of a constant place I am.

I had to cancel Cathy who promised me it was fine, but I can’t help but feeling that it isn’t.

Aside from those two stressors, there’s the obvious one. I’ve told Arthur at least a dozen times that it really was not a date and the whole reason I went over to the day care this morning was to make sure Archer knew that.

Arthur says he believes me, but his grip on the steering wheel that’s causing his knuckles to turn white makes me thing otherwise.

Part of me hoped that we could drive slowly our of my hometown so I could properly say goodbye as we passed Susan’s café and the park Grace and I frequented, but they were gone in a flash.

“Arthur,” I say with a sigh.

“I’m fine, Almara. Just tired is all.” He says and I know that is at least true, but it’s not all of it.

“Did you sleep at all?” I asked, now concerned that maybe he shouldn’t be driving.

“Nope. I came straight here.” He says, sitting up straight and close to the steering wheel. I notice this is one of rare times where I’ve actually seen Arthur drive. Usually we have a driver, but something tells me Arthur wanted to be in control for this ride.

“Would you like me to drive?” I ask, trying to offer some help.

“No. I want to know why you didn’t tell me about the dinner.” Arthur says side-eyeing me. I don’t have a good answer for this one. I could have told him, I just simply didn’t.

“I didn’t see it as a big deal, I figured I would tell you on the phone afterwards, but you never answered.” I say.

“A heads up would have been nice.” He says and I feel a pang of guilt. Arthur might go on fancy dinners with beautiful women all then time for business, but he always tells me about it before the dinner.

“You’re right.” I say. “I’m sorry.” Arthur seems to relax, bringing his shoulders away from his ears.

“I know we’ve had some. . . issues.” Arthur says and I suppose that’s a nice way of describing the multiple near death experiences, jail time, family feuds, and the icing on the cake being a disagreement on what home to buy. “Just know that through it all, I love you Almara.”

Okay, now my heart really feels heavy with guilt. Is that what he’s worried about? That I don’t love him. My heart breaks over the thought that this is what he’s been feeling for the last several hours. I’ve been terrible.

I mean, sure, I haven’t loved every moment of our trials but I never once doubted my love for Arthur. My love for him is the very thing that got me, got us, through all of it.

I wrap my arms around his large bicep and rest my head on his shoulder. “I know you do. I never thought otherwise.” I turn to kiss his arms and then rest my cheek back down. “I love you too which is why I feel so terrible about this whole misunderstanding. It was so unnecessary.”

I can feel the muscles in Arthur’s arm loosen. His arm is no longer hyper-extended and his posture goes more slack. “It really was.” He says with a slight chuckle and kisses the top of my head. “Yet, it was the incident that upset me the most.”

I sit back up and tap my finger to my chin. “I don’t know. I think the one of you nearly dying was my least favorite.” I say, grateful for the lessening tension.

“What about loosing our daughter?” He asks. “That one sucked pretty bad.” I roll my eyes as utter irritation at even the memory of that day takes over. I look back at Grace whose flipping through a baby’s book, even though she can’t read she likes the colorful pictures.

“Yeah, no that one was the worst.” I agree.

We spend the rest of the car ride laughing at the hard times past us and I have to admit, it feels good.

I imagine if I had gone through this with anyone else, the relationship would’ve been destroyed- or at least there would be no laughter. But that’s one of the many reasons why I love Arthur, with him life isn’t unbearable. It’s actually pretty fun.

We roll up to his house just before sunset. The rose-colored sky is deepening in hue taking on tones of a fiery red embodied with golden streaks. It’s simply breathtaking. I’m glad to be back, this place really has started to feel like home and I think it took time being away to realize that.

We step inside and immediately Elenor is there to greet her beloved granddaughter. “Hello my princess!” She says and swoops Grace into her arms and gives a twirl. She barely acknowledges us before taking off.

“Ah, well if it isn’t the happily married couple.” Roman says, strutting into the room sipping on scotch. I don’t say anything because the way he says, ‘happy married couple’ sounds a bit sarcastic.

“Do you have something to say father?” Arthur says standing straight. Roman slaps a newspaper down on the foyer table and on the front page is no other but me and Archer smiling and enjoying an expensive dinner.

“Is the Luna on a Fated Date Without Her Mate?” I read the horrible caption in disgust. “I hate the media.” I set the newspaper back down.

“While your husband and I were off repairing our image, you went off to soil it again.” Roman says and I want to defend myself, but I can tell by the slur in his speech that nothing I say will get through anyways.

“Almara went on a charity dinner. She was doing publicity work too.” Arthur says, and I guess you could spin it that way.

“Well, call the newspaper and see if they’ll change their story.” Roman says angrily as the brown liquid sloshes in his glass.

“Just when I was starting to really approve of you.” Roman says holding my gaze and then walks away. Okay, that one hurt.