The Alpha's Silent Bride: Seventh Time's The Charm novel Chapter 63

Chapter 63: 063: Stay With Me

~ ROSELLE ~

A few minutes after Nikolai leaves, Ronan strolls in.

My heart lurches in my chest as I take him in. He looks like a complete mess. Even though he seems to have showered, his eyes are puffy, with dark circles beneath them, as though he hasn’t slept in days.

"Good morning. I... I only came to grab my things. I’ll be out of your way in a jiffy," he says quietly, avoiding my gaze as he walks toward his walk-in closet.

I slowly rise from the desk where I’d been pretending to write, my mind racing as I search for the right words. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I was scared. None of them sound good enough.

Goddess... his scent wraps around me the moment I step closer, making it even harder to think. I don’t want this to sound like a pity apology. I need him to know that if I’m apologizing, it’s because I mean every single word.

Taking a steadying breath, I follow him into the walk-in closet.

He turns to face me, his gray eyes meeting mine. They narrow for a brief second before concern replaces the guarded look on his face.

"Are you alright?" he asks, then seems to catch himself. "Do... do you need something?" His hand hovers over a shirt, as if he’s torn between looking at me and continuing to pack.

"I..." My voice catches in my throat. "We need to talk."

He goes completely still.

"I already sent Nikolai to get you whatever you need," he says after a moment, keeping his voice calm despite the pain I can hear beneath it. "Did he reach out yet?"

"Yes, he did." I nod. "But that’s not what this is about. We need to talk. You’ve always taught me that communication is important... and I realized I’ve been making the exact same mistake I made with Mara."

I lower my gaze, shame creeping into my voice.

"I listened to fear instead of talking to you first... and I don’t want to make that mistake again."

I watch his eyes soften as they meet mine.

"Your mother reached out to me..."

His jaw immediately clenches at the mention of her, and I already know where his mind is headed. He’s going to storm downstairs, confront her, and probably forbid her from ever coming near my wing again.

"And you have to promise me you won’t do anything," I say before he can speak. "She’s concerned, Ronan. She’s your mother... and you’re her only child. I think I’d do the same if I were in her shoes."

I take a careful step closer.

"She married a king and gave birth to one. She knows the weight that comes with wearing the crown, and she’s doing everything she can to protect the son she brought into this world."

I swallow hard.

"You never told me about the last vial..."

He drags a frustrated hand through his hair.

"That’s my problem," he says tightly. "My burden to carry. I wasn’t about to dump that on you. You were still recovering, and I wasn’t going to make you feel like you were the reason my condition was getting worse."

"You should have told me," I whisper, my voice trembling. "You should have told me you were dying."

I shake my head, tears stinging my eyes.

"Maybe I shouldn’t have agreed to this marriage in the first place."

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify