Page 39 of Keeping Skylar (Fractured Hearts #1)

Skylar

A new work week dawns, and I’m out the door earlier than usual. There’s a low, familiar hum of early risers and brewing coffee drifting through the morning air as I wait for Hannah at our usual café for a quick latte before we slip into the bustle of the school day.

This morning, we’ve arranged to meet a little earlier so I can finally catch her up on everything that’s happened since my birthday dinner, only two nights ago.

There’s far too much to fit into a text, especially with everything that’s been quietly unfolding between Heath and me.

I’m also certain she’s curious—perhaps even a touch impatient—to hear how things played out with Kaden after he unexpectedly crashed our little party.

I’m seated at a table just a few feet from the door, about to take another sip of my hazelnut latte, when the devil himself strides into the café—impeccably stylish, as always, in a sharp navy blue suit.

Unfortunately for me, he spots me right away, and the instinct to bolt kicks in hard.

But of course, the bastard is standing in front of my only exit.

He flashes that infuriatingly smug grin, the one he wears like a weapon, and it only widens as he closes the distance between us.

‘Well, what a lovely surprise. Twice in under two days. How did I get so lucky?’ He smirks, and I almost barf from the way his eyes sweep over me like a sleezy, arrogant pig.

Today, I’m wearing a floral print dress that stops just above my knees, and I can feel his gaze linger a little too long on my bare legs. My stomach twists in a mix of disgust and frustration, but I force myself to stay still, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing my discomfort.

Once upon a time, I craved his attention, longed for the desire in his eyes when he looked at me the way he’s looking at me now.

But now? All I feel is revulsion, so intense, it almost burns my insides.

The urge to tear out his eyes and feed them to him, just to make him stop ogling me, is overwhelming.

I roll my eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. “I’m not in the mood, Kaden. So, say what you need to say and leave me alone.”

“My, my. Aren’t we a little sourpuss this morning?

” His voice is mocking, but I ignore the tone.

“Is it a crime for a man to want to see his beautiful wife before he heads off to work?” He winks, as if his words are a playful game.

“Anyway, I was just about to grab some coffee before my morning meeting when I saw your pretty face through the window. I couldn’t resist. I had to come in and say hi, and to tell you that I haven’t stopped thinking about you. ”

“Why would you be thinking about another woman when you’ve got a girlfriend waiting for you at home?” I scoff, the words dripping with contempt. “Oh, that’s right—you wouldn’t know anything about loyalty and honesty.” I shake my head, muttering under my breath, “Some people never change.”

His expression falters, and for a fleeting moment, he looks genuinely ashamed.

“Look, I’m not perfect, Sky. I never claimed to be.

I know I have my flaws, but I’m trying, okay.

I’m trying to show you that I’m still the same man you married, despite the mistakes I’ve made.

Ever since you left, I’ve been worried about you, day and night.

You’re my wife, and I still love you, whether you choose to believe that or not. ”

I shake my head in disbelief. “Kaden, it doesn’t matter what I believe. At the end of the day, you’re with Lucia now, and I’m—”

“No, it matters, Skylar.” He quickly interrupts.

“Because if you choose to give me another chance, I promise, you’ll always come first. I’ll always choose you above anything and anyone else, and I will spend my entire life proving that to you.

I’ve had plenty of time to reflect on everything that’s happened over the past several months.

And you know what I’ve come to realise the most?

” He doesn’t wait for my reply. “I realised that all the happiest moments of my life were spent with you.” His gaze drops to the floor, his expression revealing a complicated mix of regret, shame, guilt . .. sorrow?

My mind scrambles to decide whether he’s spinning another web of lies or if, this time, there’s some truth buried in his words. Then I hear it, a quiet sniffle, and notice the shimmer in his eyes, the tell-tale gloss of unshed tears he quickly blinks away.

I might despise him, but I would never take advantage of his vulnerability.

So, I soften my expression, and keep my voice even.

“Kaden, even if I were to consider giving you another chance, I don’t think I could ever fully trust you again.

With each passing day, the bitterness and resentment would only grow, and that’s not the kind of marriage either of us wants.

It just doesn’t make sense for us to stay together. Why can’t you see that?”

He shakes his head, unwilling—or perhaps unable—to accept the truth.

“What I don’t understand,” he says, his voice taut, “is how someone can easily walk away from six years of marriage and a decade of building a life together. Yes, I know I fucked up and hurt you. But I’m going to do everything in my power to make things right again.

That’s my promise to you, Sky. We will survive this.

I know we will. If we face it together, we can come out the other side stronger and better than before. ”

This is definitely not how I imagined my morning would go—face to face with my ex-husband trying to plead his case and win me back. It’ll be a cold day in hell before I ever forgive him, let alone give him another chance.

He takes a step closer, his voice low and gravelly. “Skylar, baby, I’ll take every blow you throw, every ounce of pain you think I deserve—no matter how long it takes—if it means there’s even the smallest chance for us. I can’t just walk away from you. Not without fighting for what we had.”

I’m just about to speak when he raises a hand, stopping me mid-breath.

“I have to head to my meeting now,” he quickly dismisses me.

“You don’t have to give me an answer today.

I’d rather you take time to really think about what I said.

” He pauses, his eyes holding mine. “But know this, Sky—I’m not giving up.

I will find a way to win you back. Just wait and see. ”

Before I can react, he leans down and presses a kiss to my cheek.

I freeze, stunned, my breath caught in my throat.

He pulls back slowly, that irritating smirk back on his face, as if he knows exactly what he’s doing.

“See you around, my sweet, darling wife.” He winks, then turns and strolls out of the café with even more swagger than he walked in with.

The jerk didn’t even bother buying a coffee like he said he was going to.

I shake off the unease the conversation stirred in me and try to recenter myself, determined not to let it throw off the rest of my day. As I glance around the café, my eyes land on Hannah by the register, coffee in hand, her expression caught somewhere between concern and quiet accusation.

When did she come in? Or more importantly, how much did she see and hear?

I smile and wave her over, but instead of smiling back, she takes a deep breath before making her way to my table.

The moment she reaches me, she doesn’t pull me in for a hug like she usually does, or even take a seat.

A faint pang of nervousness settles in my stomach, as if I’ve just been caught doing something I shouldn’t.

“Hey, why were you standing in the corner there? Why didn’t you come over straight away?” I ask her gently.

“Skylar, what’s going on with you and your husband?

” No greeting—she just dives right in. “Because from what I just saw, if you’re even thinking about going back to him, then whatever’s happening with you and my brother needs to end.

Now. Before you break his heart.” Her voice is steady but edged with steel, a warning I’d be foolish to ignore.

It’s most likely she saw the whole exchange between Kaden and I, and the kiss on the cheek. Fuck! No wonder she’s mad, and I can’t even blame her.

I reach out and gently squeeze her hand.

She doesn’t pull away, but I can tell she’s still a little cautious, her eyes narrowing slightly.

There’s only one way to ease her worry. “Hannah, I swear on my life, I have no intention of ever going back to my ex-husband. Not now, not ever. He knows I’m firm in my decision to go through with the divorce, and there’s nothing he can say or do that will change my mind.

If he wants to waste his time trying, that’s his choice.

But I’ve already moved on, and sooner or later, he’ll have to accept that too. ”

Hannah’s expression softens, just slightly.

“I’m sorry, I had to ask. I really like you, Skylar.

You’re a good person, and you’ve got a kind heart.

But please understand, I’m only looking out for Heath.

He’s been through a lot too, and the last thing I want is to see him hurt if things don’t work out. ”

“I understand completely. I would never hurt Heath; you have my word. He’s become so important to me, and honestly, the connection I feel with him is deeper and stronger than anything I’ve ever experienced. I’d be an idiot to ruin what we have,” I assure her.

Hannah’s lips slowly curve into a genuine smile, and the next thing I know, she’s pulling me into a hug. I hold on a little tighter this time, grateful to have someone in my corner who’s both fiercely protective and endlessly understanding.

“I love how protective you are over your brother. I really admire that about you,” I whisper into her ear, and she gives me one last squeeze before pulling away.

There’s no need for more words. Hannah’s the kind of person who’d take a bullet for the people she loves—loyal, trustworthy, and utterly dependable. Exactly my kind of person.

“Ready to go?” I ask her with a warm smile.

She nods, and we link arms as we step out of the café and onto the street, the morning sunshine offering a small reprieve from the tension still knotted in my chest after my encounter with Kaden.

As we make our way towards the school, I fill her in on my weekend with Heath, skipping over the parts where he absolutely ravished me and turned me into a complete sex addict.

As expected, Hannah is over the moon for us.

At least that’s one positive thing I can take from this otherwise torturous start to my day.

Now, let’s just hope there won’t be any more spontaneous run-ins with my ex-husband any time soon. God knows, I’ve had enough surprises to last me a lifetime.