Unforgettable

Part 48 - Six Months Later

Willow stood outside the apartment complex, letting the tears flow as hard as the rain falling around her. It's been months now since she had tasted Bucky's lips, since she had felt safe in the embrace of his arms, since she had heard him utter the words that he loved her and every day they spend apart makes the hole wider

This had to be done, there was no other way for her to avenge her fathers death. She had to get close to Jeremy, for him to feel that he could trust her. In order to do that though she had to let Bucky go and it broke her from the inside out.

Over the last few months, she'd kept tabs on him and he looked awful. That made her heart ache knowing that she was the one causing him so much pain. One day she would ask for his forgiveness and hope that he could give it to her. And until then she would do what she needed to do to make her family proud.

Watching her phone ring again, she sighed knowing that if she didn't venture inside, Jeremy would be sending his muscle to look for her. Looking at their apartment, she straightened up before entering the large reception area.

Alone in their apartment, Jeremy was getting increasingly worried. There was a huge storm outside and Willow should've been home ages ago. He knew he had her back but whenever she was late, he started to question where she was and if she was with him... with Bucky

Sighing again as the phone rang to voicemail, he gripped the phone tighter "Willow, it's me again. Where are you. That storm out there is getting pretty rough and you should've been back hours ago. Can you please just call me back and let me know you're ok"

Hearing the tail end of the message, Willow stepped out of the escalator and into the main room of their luxurious penthouse. Pausing to put her coat and bag by the door, she wandered to the kitchen where she could see Jeremy pacing "I'm home, you can stop hounding me with your calls now"

Turning round at the sound of her voice, watching her drip water all over the floor, he raced towards her "Where have you been. You're completely soaked through"

Willow rolled her eyes. This scene has played out plenty of times over the last few months, making it clear to her that she hadn't quite managed to gain his trust completely yet "Oh I'm sorry. I didn't realise that I needed to update you with my whereabouts every minute of the day. I was under the impression that I was an adult who could make my own decisions"

Feeling slightly chastised, Jeremy moved closer to her carrying a towel and handing it to her "I didn't mean it like that. I'm not asking you so that I can know your every move but more so that I don't have to worry about you when you're not back on time"

Drying her hair, Willow eyed him suspiciously "Good, because I'm not your possession Jez so please stop treating me like one"

Looking at her guiltily he reached out and rubbed her arms "I didn't mean it the way it sounded. I'm sorry if I made you feel like that. I know you're not a possession"

Cupping his cheek, Willow reluctantly smiled at him "Then this has to stop Jez. You need to trust me in order for this to work" starting to interrupt her, Willow applied a finger over his lips in order to keep him quiet "I'm not finished. I don't need you to apologise if that's what you're about to do. I need you to listen to what I'm about to tell you. I chose you ok. You have to start believing that I'm here for you. If not, this won't work"

Defeatedly he took a step back "I do. I do trust you, it's them I don't trust. Look at what they've tried to do with us before"

Moving back into his space, she lightly pressed a kiss to his lips "Forget about them. You need to start showing me that you trust me or I'm gone Jeremy. I can't keep doing this"

"You're right" he replied, nodding in agreement "We've wasted so much time as it is and I don't want to waste anymore" Willow watched as he knelt down on one knee "So I'm asking you again, would you do me the honour of being my wife. Will you be mine?"

Trying to push down the guilt she felt at another man who wasn't Bucky, looking at her as wife material, she willed herself to respond, dropping down to the floor so they were at eye level, she placed a gentle hand on her cheek "I can't. I'm sorry but I can't say yes to you. Not like this. Not in a rush because you're scared of losing me. Those aren't the reasons to get married"

Watching Jeremy pull back and stand, she could feel him slipping away "Is this the real reason or is it because of him he spat out venomously" he looked at her with a hardened expression "Is it him holding back the divorce or are you dragging your heels"

Laughing in frustration, she levelled him with a glare of her own "And this is exactly why I can't marry you. You don't trust me Jez and although I understand why, we can't move on until you do"

Pulling her in by her hands, he slowly rubbed the back of his knuckles against her cheek "You're right and I'm sorry. I do love you Willow. Christ I love you more than I've ever loved anyone. I'm so scared of losing you and if I'm honest, I don't think I'll survive that again"

Allowing him to pull her into a hug, she rested her head against his chest "You won't have to. I'm not planning on leaving you again Jez, you just have to trust me"

**For those who never watched the Tiktok version of this story, I'm sure it was a shock. Keep following though as all isn't as it seems. Please keep up with all the likes/comments, I really appreciate them ❤️