Heaven And Hell novel Chapter 75

"And how do you think I feel, knowing that you, of all people, don't bloody believe my side of the story?" he bit off savagely, striding toward me.

Seeing my round, nervous eyes, he swallowed, looking momentarily pained. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound so crass. Keller, believe me." His eyes searched mine desperately. "When you came into my life, I changed. You changed me..." Michael closed his eyes, sighing. He looked so forlorn, standing there.

Michael searched my eyes deeply. I wanted to look away, but I held his gaze. "I --" I wavered slightly. It was hard to speak. "I have to go. I need to think. I -- I'm not sure if I love you like before."

Michael stared at me with wide eyes, shock evident in his features, like I'd just struck him. "That quickly?" I saw his jaw clench, as if he couldn't believe what he just heard; that I was being ridiculous.

Then he stepped back slowly and left me alone in the corner. I couldn't help feeling guilty. A tear slid down my cheek. I wiped it away and began walking stiffly toward the dowager.

"I can't do this any longer," I told her quietly, my voice quavering. "I hurt him, Lady C. I don't want to see his eyes fill with pain. I...I told him I'm not sure I love him as much as I did anymore." My hands shook at the sides. I squeezed the fabric of my dress. "He also got angry at me for not believing him."

Lady Cutting stared at me and nodded curtly. "I told you to get him to profess his undying love, not hurt him." I buried my face in my hands. "I suppose the dam has been opened and everything you didn't tell him yesterday came tumbling down now."

I sighed, nodding. "Well, what's done is done. If Michael is as distraught as you say and that he walked away, we have to do the whole plan fast." She eyed a security, then he came toward her with a respectful bow.

"Yes, Lady Cutting?"

"Ask your men about the marquess's whereabouts. Come back to me as soon as you know where my grandson is."

The guard began ordering the others through his earpiece, then left to help find Michael. As soon as he was gone, the dowager saw Anthony talking to the guests with a brilliant smile. She caught his eye and, with a nod, excused himself and went straight to where she and I were standing.

The security was taking too long, but after a few minutes of small chit-chat, the guard came back and told us where Michael was. I swallowed, feeling nauseous.

Lady Cutting looked at Anthony. "You know what to do. But remember where he is. Don't do it in front of him while he's there. You know what I mean, dear boy."

With a nod, Anthony swept me away.

^^^^^

The Cuttings' ancestral grave was located near a far area where peace was harbored. But that wasn't where we were going exactly.

"I know. But I let her do what she wanted, anyway."

We walked in silence again, then we saw the place. We saw a pretty alcove made of rock formations, and inside was Michael, his back turned to us. There were lanterns on the pathway leading to the stone alcove. There were dozens of wildflowers on the grass everywhere, and Michael was standing in the alcove, his head bowed down. His shoulders slacked and his voice shook.

Anthony motioned for me to not be quiet, so I nodded. We hid behind a large tree that hid us from Michael's line of vision, but he wasn't out of our earshot.

"Mum..." Michael began, his voice quavering slightly. "I've been such an idiot these past few years. You told me to find the girl that would someday make me see and feel love, but then I seem to have lost her. But, ironically, she's not really gone because she's still here. She'll still marry me -- she doesn't love me as much any longer, though." He took a shallow breath. "You know, it's quite an amazing story really. Keller and I used to despise one another so much that we didn't want to come near each other.

"It's quite amusing but amazing in a sense that made me happy. I...I'd rather she leave me than be married to me while there's not much love between us now.

"Mum, to be honest, I believe Keller still loves me as much as I love her. Who wouldn't fall for me?" Hearing that, I smiled slightly. "In a year, we'll be married so all of us will be completely legal. Wouldn't you suggest that yourself?

"Anyway," he sighed, "if she leaves -- which, I can assure you I will not allow, but let's just say she does intend to go" -- I start grinning like an idiot -- "then I'd still help her. I'll always help her. I may be a bloody moron," Michael said with a low laugh, "and I may have disappointed a lot of people with my actions through the years, but I'm not such a bad person as to be stripped off my love, don't you think?