Page 12 of Keeping Skylar (Fractured Hearts #1)

Love is about sacrifice. It’s about letting go of someone you deeply care for, so they can be free to find true happiness and love with someone else. I just hope, in the end, that the woman I choose to keep ... will be the right choice for me.

It’s just past noon when I walk into the house, having spent the morning at the gym café, lost in thought, reflecting on everything that’s become of my life. The close call on Friday night and Jason’s final words at the gym have given me plenty to think about.

I’ve spent the past six months consumed by my affair with Lucia, not even realising how much I’ve neglected my marriage and my wife in the process.

Lately, my messages and calls to Sky have become sporadic, and I can’t even recall the last time we had a proper date. I’ve attempted to keep our sex life active to avoid suspicion, but it’s been two weeks since I’ve been intimate with my wife. I plan to change that tonight.

Deciding to surprise her tonight with a dinner to her favourite restaurant, I sit and wait for her to come home. I just know she’s going to be excited.

Since dropping Lucia off after the bar last night, I’ve been slowly pulling away from her, needing some space to think without distractions.

I even left my burner phone in the compartment of my motorbike on purpose, to avoid the temptation of reaching out to her.

So far, it’s worked—I’ve been able to think with a little more clarity.

I’m scrolling through my phone when Sky walks through the front door. She startles as soon as she sees me sitting on the couch alone, but quickly regains her composure.

“Hey, baby. How was your morning?” I ask, giving her my most warm, affectionate smile.

She hovers by the door, her posture stiff, a puzzled look on her face. She probably wasn’t expecting me to be home. “It was good. Mila and I took Mum out for breakfast. She wanted to check out that new café near her place.”

Hating the distance between us, I stand up and walk towards my wife. As I gently pull her into my arms, I feel her body tense at the touch. She stands rigid for a few seconds before slowly relaxing, her arms lightly wrapping around me.

I gently cup her cheeks and lean down, brushing my lips softly against hers. “I’ve missed you,” I whisper, the words barely a breath between us.

She graces me with her beautiful dimpled smile. The smile that always thaws my heart. My gorgeous, sweet wife. All mine.

“What have you got planned for the rest of the day?” I ask.

“Umm ... I’m going to pop into the store to run some errands and then start on chores. That’s about it.” She shrugs.

“While you’re at the store, why don’t you pick yourself out a nice dress.” I smile while gently stroking her arms.

“What for?” She frowns.

“I’m taking you out on a date tonight.”

Her body stiffens and, for a minute, she almost looks nervous. I’m slightly confused by her reaction.

“Unless you have other plans?” I raise an eyebrow, daring her to say otherwise.

She pulls away, creating space between us once again.

“No.” She shakes her head. “I just ... I wasn’t expecting us to go out tonight.

It’s been a while since we’ve had a proper date,” she explains.

Her words hit me hard in the chest, and I instantly feel guilty for being such a neglectful husband.

“I know. That’s on me. I’ve been so caught up with work that I didn’t realise how long it’s been since we’ve done something nice together. But I want to make it up to you. So, what do you say? Want to go out on a date with me tonight?”

She hesitates, her eyes drifting to the window, her expression hard to read. I can’t quite tell if she’s concealing her enthusiasm or if she’s simply not interested at all.

“What’s wrong?” I ask when she doesn’t respond. “You don’t seem excited by the idea.”

She glances back at me and shakes her head. “Nothing’s wrong. I was just thinking about something. But umm ... yeah. I’d like that. It would be good to get out of the house. Where are you taking us?”

“I was thinking Morelli’s by the Harbour. How does that sound?” I hold her gaze, lost in the depths of her warm, golden-brown eyes, eyes that have always held me captive.

“My favourite. Sounds perfect.” She smiles.

I lean in, pressing my lips softly to hers again, but she keeps her mouth closed, not allowing me in. Huh.

Pulling back just slightly, I take a moment to admire my wife’s beautiful face. Her cheeks have turned a soft pink, just like they always do when I kiss her. I release her and she immediately takes a step back, glancing in the direction of the bedrooms.

“Well, I’m just going to quickly change then be on my way. I’ll see you tonight?” I nod and without another word, she turns and heads towards our bedroom.

As I stand alone in the centre of the room, I make a silent vow to myself: Tonight, I will show Sky just how much I can make her happy, how worthy I am of her love and forgiveness.

Tonight is all about us—a husband still deeply in love with his wife, and I’m resolved to show her just how much she means to me.