All Chapters of To Hate, To Love, And To Wed: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Strained sounds echo through the bathroom. Michael’s knuckles pale as he grips the edges of the toilet tighter, wretching out the bile in his throat. I rub my palm in circles over his back and heave out a breath.“There… let it all out,” I mutter.Michael slaps my hand away as he staggers up on his feet and flushes the toilet, stumbling to the sink to wash his mouth. I exhale a tired breath. “I know it must be frustrating—”“You think?” His voice is snarky.I clench my teeth, already exhausted with Michael’s crankiness since his recovery. We’re still in the hospital, soon to be discharged, but the doctor said he’ll need to be here for a few more days for monitoring because of the alcohol in his system and how it might affect him.Let me tell you this: There have been effects, lots of it.This is another version of Michael that I didn’t know existed. And I’m fighting every nerve in my body not to hate him, I’m trying so hard to be understanding that this behavior of his isn’t really w

The drive is quiet. It’s not awkward, just utterly silent with Michael’s fingers laced through mine and his thumb stroking the back of my palm.For me? I’m content, yet curiosity is starting to take the reins. I want to ask what he meant when he said the main business happens underground at the hospital. And I’m starting to regret why I told him to keep that side of his business to himself.But thinking about it, do I really want to know? I might love Michael, I might want to be with him, but the fear is still there, the uncertainty for what the future holds for us. If I learn more about his business or anything he’s involved in, then what? More fear?Resentment?What happens to our relationship?So it’s better I don’t know. I’ll rather remain in the dark than ruin a beautiful thing.Hopefully, this is my beautiful thing…“What’s going through my girl’s mind?” Michael asks.I respond with a roll of my eyes, leaning back into the seat, but I can’t help the smile tugging at my lips. H

The door shuts.My legs shake underneath me.My heart stutters.And my mind echoes with self-destructive thoughts, thoughts I’m unable to properly comprehend at this moment.I stand there, still, staring into space, skin burning from both confusion, and guilt and shame, and the feel of her lips on my skin as she kissed me on the cheek.My hands, the ones that roamed her body while I begged her desperately not just for sex, but for her trust, are limp at my sides, my muscles twitching with the need to punch something, maybe punch myself in the face for ruining a good thing.I blink, but I’m unable to see for a moment.I inhale, but the air isn’t enough. As though there’s none at all, as though Adaline’s absence has taken the air from my lungs. My chest tightens with a weight and I almost stumble.Fuck.I knew this would happen.I knew it the moment her gaze faltered on me and a loud gulp pushed down her throat. My Adaline is slipping away from me. She’s sinking deep into fear and it

My fingers are twitching around the phone and I physically have to hold myself back from throwing it against the wall and smashing it into pieces. But I can’t. It’s Kate's phone.“Who the hell…” My voice trembles. “Who would do this?”Kate runs a hand down her face. “That’s the problem… They’re anonymous. And they’re so good at staying that way. They’re just hiding like the fucking cowards hey are and blowing shit up with their toxic followers who’re busy reposting this shit and creating an Adaline hate trend.” I shove the phone back into her hand and stand, pacing back and forth. “That day… Michael had invited a private chef, and some group of people who were too good with violins. Those were the only strangers in the house.” Kate heaves out a staggering breath. “So you think it’s one of them? Michael won’t be happy to know that people he employed would go to this length to slander his woman.”I clutch my arms to my chest. My hands are shaking. My heart won’t stop racing. “More rea

I’m sitting on the resting cushion in my office, one leg crossed over the other, back leaned against the rest and my eyes trained on the papers I’m supposed to sign, reading each line carefully so I don’t make a mistake of depositing my signature on something that’ll cost me.The commotion outside my office gets my attention. And before I can work through my confusion enough to react, the door bursts open and Adaline rushes in all smiley and giggly in a white dress.Two of my assistants run in with her, and once my eyes meet theirs, they freeze.“We were trying to—”“It’s fine,” I wave them off and they retreat outside the office. My gaze meets Adaline’s and her smile widen, hips swaying as she saunters towards me.“You’re overworking your employees, Michael,” she drawls, voice sultry. I swear it feels like she’s trying to seduce me, but I know better than to expect that from her. “Am I?” I ask.“Hmm,” she hums, now standing in front of me. She braces a hand on my thigh, softly pushi