Caught Between (If Roses Are Red #1)

Chapter 39

Nolan.

That was the first word that came to me when I felt the arms around me when I woke up. 

“I'm so sorry.” I whispered.

He pressed closer to me until I could feel his breath on the nape of my neck.

“I didn't mean what I said at that time. I don't care whether it was true or not. I just want to be with you like we used to. I love you too.” I sobbed.

“It's alright. I understand,” came the voice behind me. Stunned, the waterworks stopped in an instant. That did not sound like Nolan. That is Henry's voice. I turned to face him and true to my hearing, it was Henry. I sat up and scooted away from him. He sat up too with his upper half bare.

“Hey, I'm sorry for what I said too. That was mean of me. You are not selfish, you are the sweetest person I have ever known. I don't want to let you go ever. I want to be with you and make you smile all day long. I just need you to trust me once more.”

Those words were not for you. They were meant for Nolan, not you. I was confessing to Nolan, not you.

“What are you talking about? Where is your shirt?” I asked.

“Remember when you said you wanted to leave this place? Well, I have everything prepared. On graduation day, after the ceremony, we can leave. I've prepared the flight tickets and false IDs. You can enroll in that Arts school you wanted.”

Jaw slacked, I ran his words in my head three times before processing it. “We are... leaving?”

He nodded smiling. “You can live your life the way you want. Just you and me.” He caressed my face and leaned in to kiss me.

The bedroom door snapped open and in walked Grandma Penelope and Nolan.

“What is the meaning of this?” The Queen Dowager turned a new shade of red taking in our intimate position. Nolan was shocked and angry but he quickly hid it with a passive glare. It broke me inside.

I pulled away from Henry and stood up. “It isn't what it looks like.” I look to Nolan for help but he only looked away.

“It sure looked like you two were kissing. Henry, she is your cousin's wife. Don't you two have any dignity?” She glared at me making me hold my breath, terrified.

“She should have been mine.” Henry stated coming to his feet and glaring at Nolan. “She should have been my wife. Yes, we were kissing.”

“No!” I yelled. Why is he lying?

“Anna and I liked each other before you made her marry him. We have been in a relationship just like Nolan has been with Aubrey.”

“Henry, stop it.” I yelled again and balled my fists.

“I can't believe this.” Grandma Penelope moaned, “I trusted you, Anna. How could you? You were supposed to change things not repeat the same mistakes my sons made.”

“Grandma Penelope, I can explain.”

“No, I don't want to hear it. How am I supposed to trust you now?”

I felt hit in the face by Dejá Vu. I had said something similar to Nolan. “Nolan, please. You know everything,” I begged to take a step towards him.

He regarded me with cold eyes, “Do I?”

Henry wrapped his arms around me even as I struggled against his grip on me, “I love her, Grandma Penelope. You really would not let history repeat itself as it did with my late father, would you?”