The Stand In Wife's Revenge novel Chapter 56

Chapter 56

Under the sheets we lay with our bodies entangled and the warmth of his skin against mine brought me a sense of calm that I hadnt experienced in a while My hair was softly smoothed by Alex’s hand which was reassuring and gentle.

For a while neither of us spoke because we were both absorbed in the moment. The gentle rhythm of his breathing and the steady rise and fall of his chest felt perfect at that moment. There was no hurry or sense of urgency. The outside world was irrelevant for once. We were connected in silence in that bed and that was all that mattered. And I allowed myself to enjoy it for the first time in a long time.

I just let myself be. His arm grew tighter around me drawing me in closer as his warmth enveloped me. Both of us were silently lying there absorbed in our own thoughts. Eventually though I felt compelled to speak up.

I gently moved raising my head off his chest and uttered “It feels good you know? I never realized how much I needed this.”

I needed something for myself badly. as well as for the infant. “There is… different. But its also good.”

Alex initially remained silent. He was still using slow soft strokes to smooth my back as I felt his smile brush against my hair. He was not the kind to speak

quickly and I appreciated that. His quiet was consoling rather than awkward.

His voice was low and earnest as he finally said “You deserve to feel good.”

Ava you dont have to say sorry for that. You should never be told that you are incapable by anyone. His words made my chest tighten. They had a lot of meaning despite being simple. I had been carrying a lot of weight and feelings for a long time and having someone like Alex by my side was gradually

beginning to mend parts of me that I wasnt even aware were damaged.

With a steady comforting voice he added “I dont regret this. I’m not sorry to be here with you.”

His remarks made me smile a little. I had never been certain of so many things in my life but as we lay there together I experienced a calm sense of assurance. I had been right to put my trust in him.

With the burden of everything I had experienced bearing down on me once more I let out a sigh. Even though they were hazy the memories were beginning to come back but it wasnt simple.

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“Ive been remembering more” I muttered the words coming out uneasily. “Though I wasnt sure how much to reveal I had to say it. It was necessary for me to admit. Its still hazy. But I hear voices. There’s laughter. dialogues. I cant always see the faces of the people I’m hearing but sometimes I feel like I’m right there. I feel as though Im very close but not quite close enough to touch it.”

Although Alex didnt answer immediately I could feel him move next to me and tense slightly. He put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed me comfortingly. He was obviously taking in what I had to say as well as the emotion that accompanied it.

“Dont worry” He said quietly you dont need to recall everything at this time. “However its good that youre getting it back. Ava you’ll succeed. You simply

require time.”

I nodded appreciating his composure and assurance. Alex had a way of convincing me that it was acceptable to take things slowly even though I didnt have

much time,

My voice was hardly audible above a whisper as I said “I know I have a lot to work through. Its difficult though. Pieces of me are there,bits and pieces of my past and life… that I am not even able to access. All of it seems to be locked away”

He let out a breath his hand now on my back his fingers lightly following the natural curve of my back. “Ava you will overcome it. Doing it alone is not necessary. You have me.”

9:53 am P P P

Chapter 56

His voice was so sincere that it broke my heart. He meant it. He did in fact. In addition I finally believed it for the first time in a long time. It felt good to spend some quiet time together. We just enjoyed each others warmth for a few minutes without saying anything.

But after a while Alex moved once more. As he looked down at me and slightly raised himself I could feel his body shifting. His face had transformed growing more solemn and intent.

“Ava” he said in a low determined voice “I think I have information about Liam that you should be aware of.”

The mention of his name made my heart thump in my chest. Liam. In spite of the haze of my memory the man who had once been a part of my life and whose shadow still hovered over me. My heart raced at the thought of him the hope that Alex might know something significant about him.

So much suffering, so much uncertainty had revolved around Liam. Alex needed to tell me if he had any information that would help me understand what had happened. I made a small head turn to look directly into Alexs eyes.

I said just raising my voice above a whisper “What is it?”

The need for answers the anxiety and the curiosity all collided in my chest. Alex didnt respond right away. Rather he gazed at me with unreadable dark eyes as though he was deciding whether or not to go on and how best to express whatever he had discovered.

The anticipation thickened the tension in the room. He parted his lips to speak but the words did not escape him. Not yet. The ensuing quiet was oppressive and my thoughts were racing with potential questions. I was plagued by uncertainty but all I could do was wait to find out what Alex knew about Liam and what he had discovered.

I waited for his disclosure of whatever information he may have. It felt as though time had reached its limit. My mind was spinning in a thousand different

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irections as the words hung in the air unanswered.