All Chapters of Complexity of Loving: Chapter 11 - Chapter 19

19 Chapters

Past haunts

Past Haunts Diane had seen the doctor. She had, in fact, fractured her leg when she escaped. “Ugh,” she muttered to herself. “If I had only waited one more day, I wouldn’t have broken my leg.” While Diane cleaned up, took a much-needed shower, and rested, the doctor spoke with Matthew and Ralph in the den. “Diane is lucky,” the doctor said. “The fall could have been much worse. Everything should heal on its own, but she needs to keep her leg wrapped and come back for a follow-up in six weeks—which she has already declined.” They shook hands as the doctor left. “Ralph,” Matthew asked, “why would Diane turn down the doctor’s request?” “She’s like her mother,” Ralph replied. “Not a fan of doctors unless absolutely necessary. I’m not sure if she’s told you, but both she and her mother developed arthritis at a young age. It took countless doctors to figure out what was wrong. The medical costs for her mom are what pushed me into the work I do. When we learned Diane had juvenile arthr

Too close

Too Close Matthew and Diane spent every moment they could together. With each passing day, they grew closer—falling deeper into something that neither of them had expected, yet both fully embraced. It wasn’t ideal having both of their fathers under the same roof, but for now, things were… manageable. Diane’s leg had healed enough for her to walk on her own, and the two of them spent their days exploring the property, searching for the perfect place to build their home. Matthew stopped near the far edge of the land and took Diane’s hand, guiding her forward. “This spot is like the others,” he said, “but the view makes it special. It’s about ten acres from my dad’s place and fifteen from your father’s.” Diane stood quietly, taking in the rolling hillside and the endless stretch of trees below. “I do like this one the most so far,” she admitted. “But… does any part of the land have water?” Matthew studied her face. She looked happy—but something in her eyes felt unfinished. “Ther

Father’s old habits

Father’s Old Habits “Aaron, I’m at the warehouse. How long before support gets here?” “They’re about ten minutes out, sir. Please be careful—and keep this channel open so I can hear you.” Matthew slipped on his bulletproof vest and loaded two guns. “Understood,” he said. “But I’m muting you. I didn’t have time to grab proper comms.” He moved toward the front door, peering through the window. “It looks empty… but everything’s a mess,” he whispered. “Crates are knocked over—my father’s gun shipments are scattered across the floor. Whoever was here wasn’t after the weapons.” Matthew opened the door slowly and shut it just as quietly. If anyone was still inside, he didn’t want to give himself away. He moved carefully through the warehouse, keeping low, scanning every corner as he made his way toward the office. “There’s one person down inside,” he murmured. “I’m going in.” He pushed the office door open— —and found Ralph slumped against the wall, a bullet lodged in his shoulder.

Recovery

I sat in a rocking chair on the porch, staring out at nothing but trees. I wasn’t sure exactly where we were—just somewhere off the grid. Aaron said there were traps and alarms set up around the property. Old-school, but effective. There wasn’t much to do here, especially since we wouldn’t be staying long. He had to hike nearly a mile just to get cell service. It made sense—harder for anyone to track us—but it didn’t make it easier being cut off. I missed my family. Still… it was peaceful. A small creek ran behind the cabin, its water cold and clear. I’d seen fish swimming through it earlier. The kind of place people dream about—if their lives weren’t falling apart. The cabin itself was bigger than I expected. Two floors, five bedrooms, even one in the basement. But it had clearly been abandoned for years. Dust, peeling paint, and that stale smell of forgotten places. No wonder only Aaron and Matthew knew about it. The sun was warm today. Perfect, really. If Matthew were here,

Recovering Leo plans

Ralph and I hiked out to the ridge where we could get a signal. Even with the gunshot wound in his shoulder, he kept pace. Ten minutes in, we reached the spot. I leaned against a tree while he made the call. From the look on his face, whoever answered wasn’t expecting to hear from a dead man. Ralph was taking a risk. A big one. I watched him quietly, my thoughts drifting. My father had held him captive. That still didn’t sit right. I’d been so focused on Diane—on keeping her safe—that I hadn’t even asked why. Was it for protection? Control? Revenge? I didn’t know. And right now… I didn’t want to. Because if I let their past take over, it could destroy everything I was building with Diane. And I wasn’t going to let that happen. Since meeting her, everything had changed. My life had always been busy—but this? This was chaos. Danger. Lies. The kind of world I’d spent my whole life trying to avoid. Sure, I’d dealt with problems before. Break-ins, threats, protecting the fam

Plan, set, go

The morning sun came too soon. I stretch and wished I was not awake yet, but I know we have a lot to do. Aaron is sound asleep beside me.I gently kiss Matthew until he wakes up. “Now that’s the way I want to wake up everyday and see you.” As Matthew kisses me back.We eventually got of bed and make our way downstairs. Aaron and my father are starring at us. “Oh god, I hope we weren’t loud last night” I think to my self.Aaron looks to Matthew and my face his turning red.“Now is a good time as any since we have plan to get this done.” Matthew says as he grabs my hand.Aaron got up and stood beside my Dad.Matthew got down on one knee.“Diane will you marry me?”He opens a box that revels my mothers wedding ring. “Oh wow, yes.”Matthew puts the ringer on my finger. “We will do a full wedding later but Aaron can marry us today, if your ok with that.” Matthew says is a sweet tone.I know we have several issues to overcome but this feels right. It’s all so soon but I got my father her

Meeting Hugo

“I sure wish Diane to me about her connections before. I heard her tell whomever on the phone that they were keeping her secret. She didn’t even tell me about a secret” Matthew said to Aaron as they drove.“You haven’t really given her much time. Everything has happened rather quickly.”“It couldn’t be helped. Our parents are stuck in their ways; he could of told us what they were going to do. Then we have too many people trying to make a quick dollar of us.”“Speaking of money, are you positive you want me to file these papers?”“Yes, I also have some making up to do after today as well. Though Diane doesn’t hold a grudge I feel like crap for my temper”Aaron pulled out his phone. A few minutes later:“Done, I’ve filled everything with the courts and your good to go. Are you going to be ok with just you and a crew you don’t know?”“It’ll have to do. We have a leak in our security that has lead to all of this happening. You and Diane are the only two I trust. If she says Hugo can be t

Clean up

I finally got to the cabin. I think I broke every speed limit but the fine would of been worth it to get to Diane. I can’t imagine my life without her. I’m definitely ready for some alone time. If it doesn’t happen soon I’m going to need some cold showers. She was in my mind the entire trip. Though I was worried, I kept thinking about her perfect curves. She was the perfect fit for me. There is no one else who could take her place. Diane was in a league of her own. I love how her tummy flutters when we get to be alone. It is a magical sensation. She loves to put her head on my chest and listen to my heart beat while I stroke her hair. I can’t wait but life is about to pull me away again.Pulling up to cabin it looks like a war went off. The side old school alarms, that I picked on Aaron for putting up, really worked. Diane and Ralph had just enough time to take cover. I should of left Aaron behind but I thought the cabin was safe. Ralph was sitting on the porch, so I joined him.“Wh

Diane’s Terms

I woke before the sun had fully claimed the sky, the house still wrapped in that quiet, fragile peace that only exists in the early morning. For a moment, I watched Matthew sleep. One part of me wanted to wake him—to steal a few more minutes together—but he had worked so hard yesterday. And if I was being honest… my body still felt it.Carefully, I slipped out of bed and padded into the kitchen.The soft hum of the coffee maker filled the silence as I started breakfast, letting the familiar rhythm ground me. Today wasn’t just any day. Today, I would reveal my plan—the terms that would change everything between us, between our families.Matthew had been so happy just to have me to himself yesterday that he hadn’t even asked what I was planning. That thought made me smile… and worry.Because I wasn’t sure any of them were going to like this.Most people work until they have nothing left to give. These men? They worked because they chose to. That kind of freedom could either pull people

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