The Bride He Replaced novel · Chapter 21 of 24

Chapter 21: The Price of Her

Duncan's POV

I pressed the button and let him up, because Hannah told me to.

"I want to hear him say it to my face," she said. "Don't leave the room."

"I wasn't going to."

"And don't touch him."

"That one I can't promise."

She almost smiled.

She sat on the edge of my bed in my shirt, with the blanket around her knees.

I stood in the kitchen doorway where she could see me.

Miles came into the flat in yesterday's tuxedo.

His tie was gone, his eyes were swollen, and he held the leather folder with the lake house deed.

He looked at me once, and looked away.

"I'm sorry," he said to Hannah. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know. I swear I didn't know any of it."

"You didn't ask."

"I didn't. I should have."

He wiped his face with the back of his hand.

"I'll do anything. The lake house is yours. I'll tear up page four tonight."

"Is that your offer?"

"It's a start."

"Miles. Tell me about the locks."

He went white.

"The locks on the condo," Hannah said. "Two suitcases packed since Tuesday with the doorman. Did you decide that, or did your mother?"

"She said it would be easier."

"For whom?"

He said nothing.

"That's not an answer."

"For you," he said. "She said you'd be happier somewhere that wasn't ours."

Hannah looked at him for a long moment.

I stayed where I was, and I kept my hands flat on the frame of the door.

"I loved you for ten years," she said.

"I know."

"I'd have loved you longer. You never gave me a reason to doubt you."

"Han."

"That was the plan, wasn't it? I wouldn't read a form that you handed me."

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