From Neglected Wife to CEO’s Obsession novel Chapter 67

I turned my head and looked straight into Remy's eyes, those deep, dark pools that seemed to swallow up everything. I gave him a light, easy smile. “That’s really all there is. Remy, after everything I’ve been through, don’t you think I’m insanely lucky to still be here?”

Remy’s whole body went stiff. His eyes dropped to the scar on his wrist, his jaw so tight that I could see the marks from his teeth. His fingers curled in, knuckles going white, and I could see something wild and broken swirling in his stare.

He stumbled back a couple steps, clutching his chest, and started coughing so hard his face turned red.

The pain in his eyes just kept getting darker, heavier.

Hurts, doesn’t it?

Good. Maybe it should.

Why should I be the only one hurting here?

If I’m in pain, everyone should feel it too.

“I’m sorry, Avery, I—I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. That night, Cindy was in such bad shape, I was worried about her, that’s all. I’m sorry, Avery, I really am.”

He looked so pale, almost ghostly, his eyes shaking, but he still wouldn’t look at me.

“Ugh, look at me—acting out again. Remy, this time you don’t even have to scold me, I’ll do it myself. Avery, Avery, when did you get so petty? Julia’s seriously ill. She’s got, what, maybe six months left? After she’s gone, Remy will be right back with you, planning a big wedding, picking the perfect city for a honeymoon under the Northern Lights. Seriously, what more could you ask for in a husband? He only kissed Julia behind your back, only slipped his hands under her shirt. You don’t even know if they went any further, so what’s the big deal?”

“They just kissed, kept it from everyone. Why can’t you just let it go? Why fight with someone who’s about to die anyway? If it were you, if your ex-boyfriend was hugging and kissing you, Remy would probably be fine with it, right? So why can’t you do the same?”

“Stop.” Remy wobbled, looking like all the color had drained from him, his eyes so dark and lost. His voice was rough, barely more than a whisper. “Avery, please, just stop.”

His eyes were red, and he tried to force a smile, but the pain and regret twisted his face into something uglier than crying.

“Avery, this is all my fault. I deserve whatever you want to give me. Hit me.” He grabbed my wrist and smacked himself across the face, hard, then again. “I swear, I was just worried about Cindy. I never meant for you to get hurt. Just tell me what you want—how can I make it right? Avery, please. Whatever you say, I’ll do it.”