CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THREE: I'M SORRY

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THREE: I'M SORRY

~MIRA’S POV~

I was an asshole. MY husband didn’t deserve to be treated like that but my anger made me react that way. I was upset about a lot of things and Grey was the only one I could pour out my frustrations on. My untold anger should be directed to someone else but who? I couldn’t shout at my mother for forgetting me when the woman didn’t even know who she was? Lisa already felt bad about my mother remembering her but not her daughter.

I hesitated in front of my husband door. I could go in now to tell him I accepted his offer for lunch and we would make peace. Instead, I made a U-turn and hurried to my office.

My phone was ringing when I entered my domain. It was a call from Lisa. My best friend wanted to know how I was, she needed the details about my disappearance last night. I had ignored Lisa’s texts for this long but I wasn’t sure I could do it for much longer. The call ended and I sent a text to tell her later.

Hours went by and it was the close of work. My stomach cramped from starving for so long and I regretted not taking Grey’s offer for lunch.

Grey’s car was not in the garage when I arrived downstairs. Did he already leave? Was he okay? I slipped out my phone and called him. No response. I sent a text. No reply.

My heart beat faster as I dialled his assistant. Bethel had nothing good to tell me other than Grey left an hour ago. The lump in my throat grew bigger. I was a terrible wife. All he had done was to make my life better. My hands went to my smooth cheeks, the bruise from James’ slaps had faded but makeup had done the rest. I started the car and headed home.

To my greatest relief, Grey’s car was at the garage. I parked beside his car and let out a soft sigh. A look at the rearview mirror showed my eyes were tired. The tiredness that plagued me was more emotional than physical and this attitude I was giving Grey would not make the situation better. I grabbed my things and started for the house. It felt odd to be returning to the house alone. Since the office found out our marital status, I had been driving with him to work.

In front of the door to our apartment, I took another deep breath. I would go in there and be the best wife to Grey. The house was quiet, so was the kitchen. There was a package on the counter. A plate of food from our usual lunch spot. He must have brought it for me. A sob caught in my throat. He was being the best husband anyone could ever ask for and I was being a horrible wife.

My next destination was our room. It was empty but Grey's briefcase was in the wardrobe. With my heart hammering, I started for the study. He had to be there.
I knocked once and opened the door. Grey was working on something on his laptop. If he noticed me, he didn’t act like it. I stood at the doorway for a while, contemplating what to do. He looked up as I was about to leave.

There was no trace of kindness in the smile my husband offered me and my heart slammed against my chest. I deserved it.

“I was not sure you ate so I got you something,” he said.

Even in my annoyance, he still cared about me. He returned to typing fast on his keyboard.

“It’s in the kitchen. Keep it in the fridge if you’re still not hungry or ready to eat.”

I took one step inside. I was ready to fix my fuck-up. Grey’s laptop was on but I couldn’t read the details on the screen. His back was to me and I needed him to spare me just one glance so he could see how sorry I was.

“Grey” He continued typing. “Baby.”

“Not now, Mira.” Grey raised a finger as if he was reprimanding a silly child and I felt silly. For letting my emotions get the best of me.

He was mad at me and rightfully so but I wanted him to look at me once. The visit to the hospital triggered my reaction but it was no excuse for my silliness.

“I’m very busy. Please, leave.”

Tears blinded my vision, I stared at Grey's back and finally nodded. We could talk later when he was free. I went away in silence. After a warm bath, I ate my food. Crispy chicken and white rice with hot vegetable sauce the way I loved it. My stomach groaned a little. That was my first meal of the day. Minutes rolled into hours and it was time for bed. I waited a while for my husband but he didn’t show up. Ten minutes past eleven and I decided to check the study.

Grey was not seated on the chair. He was asleep on the couch with a quilt sprawled over his legs.

“Grey…” He opened his eyes, searching for the source of the voice. “It’s me. You’re not sleeping in the room.”

His grey eyes finally found mine and the air in the room seemed to evaporate. I took an involuntary step back.

“What do you care?” he snapped.

I blinked and tears fell to my cheeks. My lips trembled and Grey's arms opened wide in a hug. “Baby, don’t cry. Come here.”

I scrambled to his arms. He cradled me like a baby, hugging me to his chest and the tear dam burst open. He kissed my lips.

“You hurt my feelings, Mira.”

“I’m sorry.”

He stared at me with mixed emotions and I shifted to straddle him. Cupping his jaw, I pressed my soft lips to his. He softened against me and took charge of the kiss.

“I’m really sorry, baby. But I’m just tired of everything.” I peered at him so he could see how drained I was. “She remembered Lisa and she forgot about me. How can she forget her baby? I guess I was not a good daughter.”

Grey grasped my jaw in a firm hold. “Don’t say that again or I’ll be mad at you.”

I puckered my lips and he leaned in for a kiss that made me forget my worries for a moment.

“You’re not a bad person, Mira.”

“I am. I’ve been an asshole to you.”

“You have.” I tried to touch him but he grabbed my wrists. “And you hurt my feelings but I forgive you.”

Drawing patterns on his shirt, I mumbled, “I’m sorry. I was upset. Why didn’t you tell me about him?”

“I forgot, okay? And I didn’t speak to James till that morning. I only called him because I wanted answers to give you so you could at least cheer up. Baby, I didn’t like seeing you in that mood.”

Everything he did was for me. Warmth burst through me. I hid my face in the crook of his neck and he rubbed circles on my lower back. My heart finally calmed. I was here with my baby, my husband, my safe place, my sunshine.

“James slapped me. Twice.”

Grey stiffened but I hugged him tighter. I was done with James. My visit to his office was stupid and irrational.

“But it’s my fault. I hit him first.” I pulled away to face Grey and his face scrunched tight from trying to keep his anger in check. “I was so mad at him, baby. And he got me arrested. I should never have gone there.”

“It’s okay. It’s fine now.” I buried my face in his chest and took a whiff of his intoxicating scent. “You should have told me he hit you.”

The anger in his voice made my head jerk up. “I didn’t want to start anything between you two. It’s over now, Grey.” Sitting up, I played with his hair and Grey cracked a smile. “I don’t want you to do anything, okay? Forget about it. You have to promise me you will let this pass. Just ignore him because James is a bloody idiot.”

Grey laughed. “That, he is.” His smile dropped and I tugged on his lips to force a smile.

He pulled my hands away from his face and kissed my knuckles. “I promise not to do anything. But please, don’t do that again. Don’t hit him, don’t go to his office. Don’t talk to him.” The concern swimming in Grey’s eyes made me nod. “I made a deal with him, he won’t be bothering us again. And if he does, just let me know.”

“What deal is that, Grey?”

“A deal to protect you from the madman,”he murmured. I searched his face but couldn’t figure him out. “I love you and I’ll always protect you, Mira ”