Reluctant Bride

by Sam Crescent

  For the rest of the day, hour after hour, she did her best not to think about that phone call, but it was hard when it hurt her so much. There was nowhere in the world she belonged now excerpt here with Henry. Without him, she really had no other place to call home.

  When it was finally time for Henry to come home, she yearned for him. Needed him to hold her, comfort her.

  But he never showed up.

  He was a busy businessman, so he probably was held up at the office. Although it would be a first. He always made it a priority to come home to her in time. Henry said he valued his personal life now that she was a part of it.

  After two hours, she began to worry. Had he gotten into an accident?

  She didn’t want to call his cell and become an overbearing wife. All of this was new to her and she was determined to do things right.

  Violet made herself a sandwich for dinner, constantly watching the news to see if there were any crashes or disasters downtown. Then the front door opened, the three chirps of the alarm her alert that Henry was finally home.

  She exhaled her relief and smiled as she rushed over to the foyer. But she stopped dead in her tracks when a beautiful woman walked into the condo.

  “Who are you?” asked Violet.

  The woman rolled her eyes and adjusted her oversized purse, a few file folders peeking out the top. “You wanted out, you’re out. But if you think you’re walking away with Henry King’s fortune, you really must have been born yesterday.”

  “What?”

  “I’m Mr. King’s lawyer, Arabella. Pack your bag. The car’s waiting to take you wherever you want to go.”

  “Go where? What are you talking about?”

  “You can end the charade now, honey, it’s getting exhausting. We got your registered letter demanding a divorce and half of Henry’s money.” She laughed without humor. “And the stone-cold Henry King fell for your act. He’d actually fallen in love with you.”

  “I never sent any letter—”

  “Do you know how many women have tried to get into his bed, to steal his fortune? The last one strung him along for months before showing her true colors. It’s exhausting when you can never have something genuine with another person, when only gold diggers give you the time of day. He’s worked his way up from the bottom, and as his legal advisor, I won’t let him throw it away.”

  “I’m not a gold digger. Henry bought me. I never asked for any of this.”

  “Then you’ll be happy to leave,” said Arabella.

  “No! This is my home. Where’s Henry?”

  Panic twisted and turned inside her. She had to find out what was going on, had to explain everything to Henry in person. There was no way he wanted this to end.

  “He sent me because even he knows how weak you make him. He said you’re the first woman he’s loved since his mother died. And he’s usually such an excellent judge of character. It’s how he’s climbed the ladder of success. Guess he’ll be smarter next time.”

  Violet rushed past the woman and rummaged through her purse for her cell phone. She had to get a hold of Henry. This had to have something to do with her father. He was setting her up because she wouldn’t comply with his next scheme.

  Her fingers didn’t want to cooperate as she fumbled with the phone. She dialed Henry, but it went right to voicemail. “I need to talk to Henry!”

  “I won’t let you hurt him again. He’s important to me—personally, too. Now pack a bag and get out. I’ve already ordered a restraining order.”

  Her mouth fell agape. This was like a bad dream.

  Only she wasn’t going to wake up from this one.

  ****

  Henry rocked in his chair, staring out at the city lights. He hadn’t left his desk in hours, feeling numb and cold. It was one thing when Violet tried to push him away in revolt of an arranged marriage, it was another to try to extort him.

  He’d believed her act, her sweet innocence. Fuck, she was good.

  In her letter, she said she was taking over his house. She wanted half his money. It had been her plan the entire time. She was a fucking professional.

  He’d tried to help her, falling into the spider’s web without realizing it. Now, his heart felt heavy and empty at the same time. He’d sent the best woman he knew to deal with Violet. If he saw her, he wasn’t sure what would happen. For the first time in his life, he’d fallen in love. Wanted to make babies with her, make all her dreams come true.

  He cracked his knuckles, his jaw twitching.

  How was he supposed to go on? He looked forward to going home every day because she was there waiting for him. Without her, all he had was work, and that would slowly kill him. He needed more balance in life, but now that chance was shattered.

  He called Arabella. She hated Violet with a passion.

  “Was she there?”

  “Yes, and the little bitch tried to play innocent,” said Arabella.

  “Don’t call her that.”

  “Why not? Nothing you two had was real. The only person who cares about you in this world is me, Henry. When are you going to realize that?”

  “I guess you’re right,” he said. “Where did she go?”

  “I’m not her mother. I only went there to ensure she left and didn’t take anything.”

  He scrubbed a hand down his face. “I should call her.”

  “No, Henry. You’re not thinking straight now. Just go home and get some sleep. It’s late.”

  “Okay. Thanks.” He hung up the cell, tossing it on his desk. He paced back and forth in front of the windows like a zombie. Then he picked up the letter again. In her own handwriting. As soon as he felt tears behind his eyes, he crumbled it up and shoved it into a desk drawer. He wouldn’t let her destroy him.

  He'd worked too hard to build this business from nothing. Since his parents died in a murder suicide because his dad couldn’t face the world after going bankrupt, Henry had pushed all that pain away and worked his ass off. There was something about seeing Violet being sold off by her desperate father that brought his own past to the forefront of his mind. He couldn’t save his mother when he was fifteen, but he could save Violet.

  But it had all been a mirage, smoke and mirrors.

  Henry would have to put the entire marriage behind him and hope Arabella could keep his finances safe. But one thing he needed back was the wedding ring. It had been his mother’s, and he wanted it. Some things couldn’t be replaced by all the money in the world.

  Arabella would kill him, but he called Violet’s cell. He squeezed his free hand into a fist, determined to keep his world-renowned business sense intact and not fall to pieces when he heard her voice.

  “Hello?”

  “Violet?”

  “Henry?”

  “I won’t keep you long. How much will it cost me to get the wedding ring back? It’s a family heirloom, and I’d like to have it.”

  “I can’t give it—”

  The phone went dead.

  “Violet? Violet?”

  He exhaled, somehow renewed just by hearing her voice, but broken knowing everything was true and their marriage was over. Maybe Arabella could convince her to give back the ring. She was being tough to protect him, but he knew she loved him.

  He’d been pushing her away for weeks, but all that was going to change. Violet opened his eyes to what really mattered. The pain he’d bottled up from his past was coming to the surface. It was too much. He felt like he was breaking down the middle.

  For the longest time, he remained in his office, feeling sorry for himself.

  What he needed was a stiff drink, or two, or three.

  He packed up his briefcase and turned off the lights to his office as he left. The building was quiet at this late hour, so different from the hustle and bustle in the daylight hours. His shoes echoed on the marble floors and his loneliness bounced off the walls.

  By the time he got to his car, he had no energy left. There was a shadow of a woman leaning against the
passenger’s side door. It was Arabella, but she looked different now, her long, blonde hair swung over one shoulder when she usually kept it up in a tidy bun.

  “Need company?”

  “I’m heading to the bar,” said Henry. “I’m done with this fucked-up day.”

  “Then I’ll join you. It’s always good to have a shoulder to cry on.”

  He unlocked the car. “There won’t be any crying.”

  They drove down the quiet road, and no words were spoken. He didn’t want to talk about Violet. Didn’t want to remember a thing. Not their movie nights, the way she’d cuddle against him in bed, and sure as hell not the way she’d jump into his arms when he got home from work.

  Henry hit the gas harder.

  “You’re going way too fast, Henry.”

  The last thing he remembered was the blur of light and the world spinning into nothingness.

  Chapter Seven

  Violet had a tiny amount of savings left.

  Sitting in the motel room, she stared at the television as the news played in the background. The white noise helped keep her sane.

  Pain continued to bloom in her chest. How could Henry think she’d sent him divorce papers? That she’d used him? He should know her better. Sure, she’d started out being a bitch to him, but that was because she’d been so angry. Her life had been swept up from under her feet. She’d believed her father’s lies, and look where that had gotten her.

  This had her father written all over it. He must have sent the divorce papers since she wouldn’t cooperate.

  Why wouldn’t Henry even question it?

  She’d proven to him she was here to stay.

  Running fingers through her hair, she climbed off the bed and moved toward the window. She pulled back the curtain to look at the night’s sky. It was dark but now more than ever, a deep loneliness rushed through her like a cold wind.

  He didn’t believe her.

  What was the point in even trying to give happiness a try? If Henry could think the worst, then there was no chance of them coming through this.

  He wouldn’t even see her.

  Instead, he’d sent that awful lawyer. She was a shark.

  And her cell phone suddenly stopped working just after Henry called her. She’d been so close to explaining the truth. What else could go wrong?

  Stepping back from the window, she turned to look at the television and froze. There on the screen was her husband’s face.

  She rushed to the remote and turned the volume up.

  A suspected car accident? Henry was in a stable but critical condition.

  Violet’s heart raced as the woman’s picture came up as well. Arabella—lawyer or lover, she wasn’t so sure anymore. She hadn’t sustained many injuries. She was confused by the reporter’s story. Why were they alone together in his car at night? Her mind was going to the gutter when Henry could be dying.

  Staring at the news, she saw the hospital name flash on the screen. She knew where it was. The press would have a field day, but the hospital was known for the celebrities and high-powered businessmen and women who went there. She’d get inside undetected since she was still legally his wife. The press would be kept back by the security guards.

  She hoped she’d be able to see Henry. He may hate her and think the worst, but she refused to abandon him. She had to make sure he was okay, if nothing else.

  No matter what happened, he had to live.

  Grabbing her bag and a jacket, she called a cab and left the hotel room.

  There was no way she could think of a world without Henry. Even if he divorced her, she’d want him to find happiness elsewhere.

  The cab driver was able to get her to the front door. She paid him, also giving him a tip, and climbed out. Then she rushed toward the receptionist, asking to be escorted to Henry King’s room.

  They looked a little unsure at first, but news of their supposed divorce hadn’t been released yet. One day, she was going to find a way to make her father pay. Until then, she was going to have to make Henry see reason.

  The nurse she’d taken the elevator with was called to go help with an emergency. Violet was pointed in the direction of one of the rooms.

  No one stopped her as she made her way to the room, and then she caught sight of Arabella in Henry’s room. She was leaning over his body, her hands on him. Violet froze, her heart sinking.

  “You’ve got to wake up, Henry. Come on, please, wake up. Henry, it’s just you and me now. God, I love you so much.”

  Violet felt slightly sick. Had Arabella and Henry been in a relationship all this time? Was that why the woman came to kick her out of their home? Henry had had his fun and wanted to move on. She felt like she was becoming smaller and smaller by the second.

  “You stupid asshole. You’ve got to wake up. I can’t stand to see you like this, little brother. How can I always be right about everything? Who else am I going to take care of?” Arabella asked.

  “You’re his sister?” Violet asked, barely above a whisper. “Why weren’t you at our wedding?”

  Arabella turned to glare at her in the doorway. “You! What the hell are you doing here? Have you come to extort money out of him? I never condoned this marriage, and it seems I was right. He’s been in a car accident, for God’s sake. The brakes wouldn’t work and now you want to take more of him. Why won’t you people learn to leave him alone?”

  “The brakes wouldn’t work?” Violet rubbed at her head.

  “Get the hell out of here before I call security. You gold-digging whore.”

  “Enough!” Violet slashed her hand across the air. She was done hearing people’s insults.

  “Who the hell do you think you are?” Arabella asked.

  “I’m his wife, and I can tell you that I’m sick and tired of having my life controlled by people who don’t fucking care about me. First my father, now Henry, and you. I’m not some gold-digging whore. You can’t pass me over when you’re done with me.” She burst out laughing. “You know, hours before you came to my house to kick me out, my father called me. Told me that he had another man lined up ready for me. Someone with a bigger empire and that I can even pretend to be a virgin again.” She shook her head as tears filled her eyes. “So don’t go calling me a whore or a gold digger. I’m neither. This may surprise you, but I’m in love with your brother. I tried not to be. I thought he was a monster because of everything my father told me. My own dad lied to me, but I trusted Henry when he told me the truth. I will always trust him. I just wished he could have done the same for me.”

  She moved around the bed and looked down at Henry.

  Arabella didn’t say a word.

  “The brakes didn’t work?” Violet asked.

  “No.”

  “Does that mean someone might have tampered with them? I know Henry, and he was meticulous when it came to maintaining his car.” She glanced over at Arabella, who continued to look at her. “What?”

  The other woman reached up a hand. “Write on this.” She held a notepad and pen.

  Violet rolled her eyes, taking it. She didn’t know what to write, so she simply introduced herself and gave her name, her age, and even her bra size.

  “Sign it,” Arabella said.

  She signed her name across the bottom and handed it back to her, still confused.

  Tucking her hair behind her ears, she took the next available chair, moving it close to the bed. She sat down, held Henry’s hand, and prayed to whoever was listening to allow him to live.

  ****

  Violet.

  Henry wanted Violet.

  He craved her.

  The scent of her. The feel of her. All he needed was his woman.

  With the sound of beeping machines, along with the sterile smell, he knew he was in a hospital before he even opened his eyes.

  The car. The brakes. The accident. It all came rushing back to him in waves and flashes. Opening his eyes, he stared up at the plain white ceiling.

  “Henry? Oh my G
od, Henry.”

  He turned, catching a glimpse of Violet seconds before she threw herself at him, hugging him tightly.

  Pressing his face against her hair, he breathed her in. Perfection. “Violet,” he said. “Careful.”

  She jerked away with a gasp. He stroked her cheek. He should be screaming at her, demanding she get the hell out of his room, but he couldn’t get enough. Even if he pretended for a few minutes.

  “Where’s my sister?”

  “She’s okay. Just stepped out for a bit,” she said. “I’ll be right back. I’ve got to get a doctor.” He didn’t want her to leave, but she was gone before he could ask her to stop. Maybe he was imagining everything.

  The bed he was in was so uncomfortable. He started trying to sit up, but Violet came back with a doctor already pushing past her.

  For the next half an hour, the doctor shined a light in his eyes and talked to him about everything that happened. He took his blood pressure and by the end of it, he wasn’t going to get to leave the hospital. Henry was to stay in the hospital and be monitored for the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours.

  No broken bones. Nothing life-threatening. Arabella was okay.

  The doctor left the room and he stared at his woman. She’s not your woman anymore. She wants a divorce. Only wants your money.

  “I was so worried. I thought the worst. The news likes to exaggerate.”

  “I bet you were hoping for it.”

  “Don’t say stuff like that. It’s not fair.” She pushed some hair off her face.

  “When’s Arabella coming back?” he asked. His sister would get rid of this woman.

  Violet shrugged. “She said that there was something she needed to check. I didn’t stop her.”

  “Of course, you didn’t. Do you still want to play the innocent act?” he asked.

  Tears filled her eyes and she looked away. He waited as she gained composure.

  “That’s what you think our time together was all about? Acting?”

  “I think you’re just as bad as your father.”

  The tears traced down her cheeks this time, but she didn’t even make a move to wipe them away. She looked angry, too. Such a good fucking actress. One who’d broken his heart.