The Life of Mrs. Fifty Shades | Chapter 25

The Life of Mrs. Fifty Shades

Chapter Twenty-Five

Ana

I sat in front of the fireplace in my room, staring into the hearth while Teddy played on the ground with his toys. So much like his father, he had his hair and his eyes. Phoebe was asleep in her crib, having no idea of how dark the world was at the moment.

I could picture Christian’s face without even seeing him. I knew how angry he would be that I got up and left. I took his kids without a backward glance. I fled the country and into the arms of a man he trusted.

I know I hurt him.

But I didn’t know what else to do.

Crow knocked before he walked inside.

I didn’t take my eyes away from the flames. “What did he say?”

“He wants to talk to you. I told him no.”

I was grateful Crow was there. He was a mountain Christian couldn’t pass. The only mountain, actually. “I’m sorry I brought you into this. But I do appreciate everything you’ve done for us.”

He walked to the other couch and sat down. “Christian made me promise to always protect you. I’m fulfilling that promise—even if he’s the one I’m protecting you from.”

“He would never hurt us…ever. But I don’t think I can look past what he did.”

He crossed his legs and looked at the fire. “He says he wants to apologize.”

“Because I fled the country,” I said with a sarcastic laugh.

“No. I can tell he’s sincere.”

I met his gaze, seeing the dark depth of his eyes.

“He looks like a man who’s lost everything. I know that because I see that man every day when I look in the mirror.”

I didn’t ask about his past or the things that kept him up at night. I knew he would never tell me his secrets. “You think I should forgive him?”

“I think you should hear him out. He’s going to stay next door until he finally gets a word with you. I can promise you that. He’s not going anywhere.”

“I would expect nothing less.”

“Take some time to cool off. But when you’re ready, you should talk to him.”

I nodded because I knew he was right.

He left the couch and walked out of the room. “I’ll be in my office if you need me.”

“Okay. Good night.”

“He did say something else.” Crow paused at the door before he closed it.

“Hmm?” I didn’t turn around to look at him.

“Tell Mrs. Grey I love her.”

***

I spent the next week lounging around the Tuscan estate. Sometimes I took the kids swimming or on walks through the vineyards. No matter what I did to occupy myself, I continued to think about Christian.

Teddy asked about him sometimes, and I always had to lie.

I hated that.

My finger didn’t feel the same without my wedding ring. It felt naked and cold, like a part of me was missing. That constant weight accompanied me everywhere I went, from work to bed. Not having it threw me off balance. Mrs. Fifty Shades was who I was. Without that, I didn’t know myself anymore.

At the end of the week, I knew Christian would come. He wasn’t a patient man, especially when it came to his family. Eventually, he would come to the house in a bulldozer and rip the building apart piece by piece.

I heard the doorbell.

I was sitting in the dining room when it rang through the house. Teddy and Phoebe were having lunch, and I was staring out the window, wondering what Christian was doing in that very moment.

Crow walked inside and gave me a simple look. That was all he needed to do.

I stared back and didn’t know what to say.

“Are you ready? I can tell him you need more time.”

I didn’t have an answer. “What do you think?”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “I can tell him to leave but he’s barely hanging on. It’s only a matter of time before he breaks in and snatches you.”

I knew he wasn’t kidding. “I’ll talk to him.”

Crow walked out and told him the news.

I asked Lars to watch the kids before I walked to the front door. Crow was waiting there with the door shut, wearing a dark suit with a colored tie. He gave me a nod before he walked away. “Let me know if you need anything.” He walked into the dining room and joined the children.

I stared at the front door and sighed before I finally walked out.

Christian stood next to one of the pillars, his back to me as he surveyed the fields across the road. When he heard the door shut, he finally turned around. His eyes were no longer grey, but two spots of black. He looked unusually pale like he hadn’t slept or eaten in weeks. He didn’t look angry like I assumed he would.

He looked lost.

I actually felt bad for him.

“Ana.” He stepped closer to me with his hands in the pockets of his jeans. His arms shook slightly, telling me he kept his hands hidden so he wouldn’t grab me. “I made a mistake, and I admit that. I should have listened to you.”

That wasn’t enough for me, so I remained quiet.

“I called Elena and confronted her. She folded.”

Took him long enough.

“Ana, I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you. You were right when you said my affection for her clouded my focus. She’s the only friend I’ve ever had besides Crow, and it’s hard to admit that you truly can’t trust anyone. I apologize for not making you feel safe. I apologize for letting you down. I apologize…for everything.”

It wasn’t like him to admit he was wrong. Just that confession was substantial coming from a man like Christian.

“I’ve informed my lawyer about the situation and they’re taking it from there. There’s not much evidence to incriminate her, but if I can find something, I won’t stop until I get the justice we all deserve. I’ll never forgive her for trying to take my kids…for trying to hurt you.” His eyes formed a thin layer of moisture. It was so slight it was hardly noticeable. “If you don’t want to be with me anymore…” He ran his fingers through his hair when he couldn’t finish the sentence. “I’ll let you go. After what I’ve done, I don’t deserve you. But I hope that you won’t punish me more by taking the kids away from me. I love them. Please don’t make this more difficult than it needs to be.”

If he was willing to let me go, then I knew he was really sorry. He fought for the things he thought he was entitled to. He strived for the things he deserved. The fact that he was stepping aside was an admission of everything he’d done.

He stared at me with that same look of brokenness, looking just as lost as I felt.

I felt the distance between as the steel around my heart slowly fell away.

He continued to look at me like he expected me to say something. “Do you want me to leave, Ana?”

I would love this man forever, no matter what he did or said. I knew underneath that rough exterior he had a heart of gold. He would do anything for me and the kids, but he was confused in this situation. Every touch and every kiss was better than the last, and I would never look at him as anything else besides my husband. “It’s Mrs. Grey.”

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