Maeve's POV

I spent three weeks in a separate apartment, in a different city. The only way I could get away from him without suspicion was to go out of the city. The tabloids assumed I was working a deal, which I was but it was a sorry excuse to run away from my problems.

The first few days Seth respected my wishes and gave me space, then one day, I think he had had enough and called me. I didn't pick up, not because of not wanting to but because I didn't know what to say. One word from him and I would admit I had forgiven him. I didn't want to. He didn't deserve it.

Though twenty-one days were no means a less amount of time, I had not reached a favourable solution. Even when I entered our apartment I wasn't sure what I would say.

"Oh, hey Maeve." In my confused state I hadn't noticed the foreign body on my living room sofa. James Patter was Seth's childhood friend from what I knew but I had the opportunity to meet him only a few times over the year. He was a busy man, dealing with a lot of over seas companies.

"Hello." I said meekly, regretting my decision of not telling Seth of my arrival prior. I didn't want our first meet to be in-front of an audience. But I let it be.

I was rescued from the awkwardness only to fall into another one when Seth entered the scene with two chilled beers in hand.

"Maeve." I wished so damn much that he hid his startled expression but he stood there frozen with wide eyes.

"Don't mind me. I'll go freshen up." I excused myself before anyone could say anything. I had requested Mrs Rose to transfer my things back to my old room before my return, though to my unfortunate surprise, my cupboard was empty. Seth must have refuted.

I decided against going into his bedroom, having a pair of clothes in the suitcase I had taken with me. I spent quality time thinking over my next actions. It was no surprise that I didn't come up with anything. What was an hour compared to three weeks?

When I left the bathroom, Seth had made himself comfortable in my bed.

"Excuse me?" I cocked my head at the intruder.

"Did you think things through?"

"Did I-" I ran my hand through my wet hair and let out an exasperated breath, "You had to do the thinking, Seth."

"I always knew what I wanted."

"In that case, yes I did think things through." I gritted my teeth, "I am done with our ridiculous forced romance, done with another woman in your heart and bed. I am relieving you the pain of having to justify your every action to me." I was panting, not because of the length of my monologue but the heaviness in my heart.

"I'm truly sorry you felt that way, Maeve. I never meant to hurt you. Not in the slightest. And I want to live the rest of my life justifying my actions to you."

"Actions speak louder than words." I shifted around the room rearranging random things. I have no idea what Seth understood from what I said but a minute later he was inches away from me, kissing me.

I lost myself in his touch. His calloused hands rested firmly against my neck and pulling me close felt too good to deny. His familiar scent overpowering my senses reminded me of how much I craved his presence in my life but my brain found reason and made it's way into my thoughts. I pushed him and turned by head away taking in some much needed air.

"What the hell?!" I exclaimed, my cheeks flushed. My body yearned for him, the warmth of his palm was seeping through my forearm and it was making it hard for me to breathe.

"Maeve, Stella means nothing to me except that she is the mother of my child." His hands were cupping my cheek, repeating things I had heard before.

"While I know that, you cannot hide behind it all the time. What business does she have in our house without your son?" I took a deep breath, shrugging his hand off. "I don't want to be your warden, Seth. I told you, and we keep having this conversation in circles. I know you don't want to hurt me, but things do. Your obliviousness to her; hurts me." I had turned my back to him, fearing my tearing eyes would hold no longer.

I felt his chest against my back, his strong arms cocooning me and I got the sense of safety again. His heart was beating against my skin and the heat in the room increased. His breath tickled my ear, goosebumps arose as his stubble lightly brushed against my neck. It was all too much.

"Seth." I meant for my words to come out stern, I meant for my hands to push away his but it was the opposite, my voice was a breathless moan and my hands only tightened around his. My being remembered him, longed for him, missed him.

I loved this man, and as much as my rational mind told me to stand strong, my heart gave him way to stomp all over me. I had forgiven him without any intention of wanting to do so.

"I am sorry I hurt you. But believe me when I say I love you, only you. There isn't any space for another woman in my heart nor mind. You consume me, body and soul." My head my leaning against his shoulder as he lay feather like kisses on my neck. I let out a small groan as he nibbled at the soft skin and then his tongue came in to soothe the small sting.

"Sweet words and guilty actions." I murmured halting his motion. He swung me around the next second.

"I am in love with you." His sincere blue eyes bore into mine, asking me to trust them once again. What a fool, if only he knew I already gave him a second chance.

"I believe you believe that, honey." My throat was closing in as I said the words but it was necessary. He would have to change if he wanted us to be back to how it used to be.

"Every cell in my body knows it, sweetheart." He took my palm and placed it on his heart. A simple gesture indeed but it made my resolve crumble. "My heart knows it's you." Maybe it was his strange phrases or the beating below my hand that made me tear up once again.

"I don't want to get hurt more, Seth. Please." My voice cracked and I saw it in his face, the ache that was in me was clear on his expression. It hurt him to see me like this.

"Sweetheart." He whispered, burying my head in his chest and wrapping his arms around me, like he was holding me together. And perhaps he was. "I am so sorry." He didn't let me go for the longest of time. We stood there, he held me. Then he guided me to the bed, slipped in but not even for a second did I feel his attention waver from me. There was no doubt in me that he loved me but I feared it wasn't enough.

We didn't speak anymore, I fell asleep in his arms breathing to the rhythm of his heart.

The next morning I forced my eyes shut, the world awaited my judgement and I had not decided on one yet. What did I want from him? Could I quantify it?

His soft damp lips pressed against my temple ever so lightly, it was a bliss I had missed terribly. I wondered for a brief second if I could keep the problems out.

"I know you are awake." He said, his husky baritone sent tingles down my spine but I held my smile in.

I untangled myself from his arms, he let go of me reluctantly.

"Maeve." He called after me and I turned, taken by surprise by the man before me. He wore a plain white T shirt, the quilt up to his hips, his hair sexily tousled. I had to take a few breathes before speaking.

"I need to know one thing." I gulped down air, it was a conversation I had played out in my mind a million times yet no answer from him calmed me but I asked anyway, "How many times did she come home while I was away?"

"Not once." He replied in a heartbeat. I sighed in relief. "But I did meet her."

"Alone?"

"Once."

"Why?" It was an unusual question, something I would have never considered myself asking. It irritated me that I did, I hated doubting.

"To tell her things had to change." I read his face, wanting to know whether it was a lie or not. He was sincere but I was still two minds about it.

"Will they?"

"Yes. I won't make that mistake again, believe me."

"God knows I am struggling to hold my ground." I huffed, I saw his hopeful eyes and gave in.

"How about I make my beautiful wife some breakfast?"

"Oh, yes." I gave in, that's true, but trust is like paper, right? Once crumpled..

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