Chapter 116: Chest emblem

NANCY’S POV

"Yes."

That response came without hesitation from me because I knew it deep down in my heart, and after I said it, I doubled down on my response by clenching my jaw, not allowing myself to second-guess my answer.

Maybe in another lifetime, or even in another case scenario, I could choose differently, but not now.

I valued my relationship with Diana more than anything.

She had been there for me in my darkest moments and worst days, and I knew without any iota of doubt that I wouldn't have been able to make the decision to leave New Jersey if I didn't have her.

That difficult decision had been made because I knew I had her to rely on and as much as I loved Mr Landon, and as much as it hurt me to renounce what we had, I did it without hesitating.

With him, I wasn't sure about where I stood, but I knew exactly where I did with Diana, and I wouldn't change our bond for anything.

She seemed satisfied with my response because her hands that were clenched on top of the table released, and she pulled them back.

However, I didn't know if that was a sign that she was ready to receive my apology, so I didn't let myself relax.

Silence passed between us for a long moment. Diana was deep in thought, while I waited with bated breath for her to come to a decision.

"Did you really mean that?" She asked, breaking the silence.

With as much conviction as earlier, I responded, "Yes. I meant it."

"I wouldn't trade our relationship for anything, Diana," I added in a softer tone.

Memories of moments we'd spent together flashed briefly before my eyes, and my eyes softened enough for me to manage a small smile as I spoke to her.

"You're my best friend, and I realize now that I should have told you the second my feelings started getting complicated. I should have chosen differently, and I'm sorry I didn't."

"I'm so so sorry," I whispered in addition.

She stared at me, really stared. Like she was trying to decide if she wanted to believe me or not, then she gave a long, loose sigh.

For a couple of seconds, she looked away, then returned her gaze to me. I caught the tears that clung to her lids immediately, right before she swiped them off.

My heart rose with trepidation at the look that emerged in her eyes, and my spine straightened.

"Diana..."

"I knew you'd choose rightly, silly," She cut in before I could speak, chuckling.

My brows knotted, and I was momentarily confused, wondering why she was laughing.

Her next statement unraveled my confusion.

"Crazy bitch, I thought you'd choose my Dad over me."

It hit me then that this wasn't a spiteful jab, but a teasing one.

'Crazy bitch' was what she'd called me the night before she moved to Florida, and I'd run from my house to hers, asking that she take me with her.

Tears pooled in my eyes, and without realizing it, I began to chuckle alongside her.

Our laughter reverberated between us, and I was sure it must have caused some onlookers to question our sanity because the couples seated some tables away from us looked over curiously.

I couldn't even be bothered about my surroundings; I was overjoyed at the fact that Diana was willing to forgive me.

She stopped laughing first, and my laughter waned soon, following hers.

We stared at each other quietly. On my part, the silence was no longer as discomfiting and I could keep the smile on my face still.

Diana took it a notch further when she reached over the table for my hand. She grabbed it then squeezed tightly with a smile.

"I can't believe I hated you yesterday." She admitted quietly, squeezing my hand again.

"I know," I muttered, looking down. "I thought you'd never speak to me again.

"I thought so too," she responded.

I raised my head. "I can't blame you even if you decided to stop speaking to me. I hurt you, and if you did choose to do that, I'll understand because I deserve it..."

"I wasn't actually going to do that," She said, then let go of my hand and leaned back in her seat with a somewhat faraway look in her eyes.

"I was hurt, and angry, and I said things I'm not even sure I mean now.

"It's okay, Diana," I interrupted, eagerly reaching over the table for her hand as she had done earlier.

"I'm fine, really," I let out a small laugh. "I took those words on the chin. Heck, you should have seen me bracing myself for it."

"Did you really?" She raised a brow.

A sheepish smile crossed my lips. "Of course I did."

"Do you know how scary you get when you're angry?"

Her brow lifted higher. "What are you trying to say?"

I interlocked our fingers, and my gaze turned serious. "What I'm trying to say is that I'm sorry and I never ever wish to make you feel like that ever again."

"From now on, I promise to never hide anything from you, and I will never ever do anything to make you doubt our friendship ever again."

"I'll talk to you about everything first, and I'll never hurt you with my actions again. I can say this a thousand times, and it still wouldn't be enough. I'm sorry, Diana."

As soon as my words fell, a tear rolled down my cheeks. I didn't just say those words, they came from deep down in my heart.

Diana seemed as affected as I was because tears welled harder in her eyes, making her orbs beady.

Suddenly, she pulled her hands back from mine and began to get up.

"I'm sorry, Nancy."

"Why are you...?"

I was still confused at her sudden pull back from me, and while I was wondering what she'd done to apologize to me, I heard the cafe door open.

Initially, I assumed it was just another customer making their way in for a cup of coffee or some other drink, but then heavy footsteps reached my ears.

My neck spun back immediately, and the instant I looked back, I spotted two hefty, expressionless men walking over to us.

It wasn't just seeing these men that made all the blood drain from my face, it was the emblem on their suits, near their breast pocket, an emblem I knew too well.

I'd seen it on the chest area of Mr Hudson's chauffeur's suit the first night he visited our house.

My face paled, and slowly, my neck swung back to Diana.

"What did you do?"