Page 88 of The Fallen Hero

The floodgates he had tried to suppress opened, and he knew he couldn’t close them now. “Why didn't you tell me?”

Mena’s body shook with a fresh wave of tears.

“Mena! What the fuck did you think I was going to do?” Julian screamed, unable to stop himself.

“What was I supposed to say? Oh, by the way, Julian. I know you proposed, and you just bought this gorgeous penthouse to prove to me how much you love me, but we need to move to Florida for six months so I can get a divorce from my husband who I thought I was free from?” Mena rambled.

A disgusted laugh erupted from his throat. “Yeah. You know you could’ve said it just like that. Would’ve been fucking better than finding out from that bastard!”

“I was going to tell you myself that night—”

“I don’t even understand you. I thought I did, but this proves that I don’t. We really don’t know each other, do we?”

“We know the things that matter most. I panicked and tried to get rid of Michael before that stupid marriage wrecked what we have. I know it was a mistake. I wish I had been honest.”

“You really thoughtthatwould wreck us? Really? Don't you knowmeby now? Haven’t I proved to you how much I fucking love you! What sense does this make? Doesn’t matter that I risked my goddamn life to protect you, to save you from ruthless terrorists across two damn continents. That’s not enough for you to believe in me,” Julian paused and took a deep breath. Yelling at Mena wasn’t helping.

The sound of her whimpered cries stretched toward him, but he didn’t even feel the pull to comfort her. His anger was too strong, blinding him.

Mena pleaded with him. “I made a horrible mistake. I’m so sorry.”

“Don't be sorry. Fix it,” Julian said, grabbing the duffel bag. He had to get going before he missed the boarding window for his flight.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, get the fucking divorce. Go back to fucking Florida or whatever the fuck you have to do and end your marriage to Michael Marsh. I don’t know how long I’m going to be gone, but when I get back, I want to know that part of your life is over.”

Mena dragged a hand down her face. She nodded as she stared back at him. He saw a flash of the woman he loved. He ached to touch her, but he couldn’t.

Silence stretched between them until Mena said. “I don’t want you to go.”

“I know,” Julian said. He believed she regretted lying to him, but right now he couldn’t see past his own pain to forgive her.

“If I could go back and change how I handled all of this, I would. I would’ve told you the truth the moment I found out. I hate how much I hurt you. I hate seeing the disappointment in your eyes. The hurt. The betrayal.”

Julian closed the space between them. His face so close to hers, he could feel her breath caressing his skin. “What else do you see?”

Mena stared into his eyes, her breath hitching in her throat as she moved to touch his face but stopped herself.

This was the test. If they were going to survive, she’d have to answer him. She’d have to truly see him. “Say it. Tell me what else you see in my eyes.”

Mena whispered one word. “Love.”

His muscles relaxed as he slipped past Mena and walked into the massive bedroom they shared. Turning back to her, Julian said, “Try not to forget that while I’m gone.”

* * *