The Fake Vows (Book 1)

Chapter 24

Sorry for any grammar errors. Didn't get a chance to edit.

It was what she'd wanted, craved and longed for with all her heart. Those words, spilling with such emotion from Dexter's lips were what she'd been fighting for all along. The confession that would sit in the depth of her heart forever, the song of his beautiful voice when he's confess his love and the joy of knowing instead of assuming his love. Now, she'd finally won the battle.

Last night, he'd finally said the three famous words without a stutter, giving her the whole night to let them sink in. It was almost evening now, an end to a day of replaying Dex's confession in her mind. Dex had given her space all day. He'd left her to her thoughts and respected her need to be alone since he'd told her he loved her the night before.

Yet Beth hadn't felt it. She hadn't felt the confession sit in the depth of her heart, she hadn't heard his voice like a beautiful song when he'd said it and neither had she felt the joy of knowing.

She thought back to the start of it all, the set up, the contract, the fake wedding vows. She had survived death's claws, she'd miscarried, she'd received so much hate and rejection from both her husband and his mother. Through it all, Beth had survived and fought on.

She had waited and endured patiently, all with the hope that one day, just one day Dex would feel for her what she felt for him. But when it did come, she didn't feel the moment. It was like it never happened. Instead, she felt...

'Tired.' She said in a defeated tone.

'What does that mean?' Dex asked tensely.

'I don't know Dex. All I know is I can't do this anymore. I really can't. I'm too tired to try.'

Dex tightened his whole face and gently grabbed Beth's shoulders.

'I don't understand. I though you wanted me to love you back?'

'I did...' She said softly leaving the rest of the statement unsaid.

Dex heard the unspoken words play repeatedly in his mind. He shook Beth a little.

'You did. And now?' He asked furiously.

'Dex stop. I don't want to talk about this please.' She cried.

'No. Tell me now!' He raged losing his cool completely.

'I told you I'm tired. I'm scared and tired. So what if you love me now, what guarantees that your reasons for hating me before won't make you hate me again soon. What guarantees that you won't hurt me the way you did before. What guarantees that what you feel for me really is love.

What if it's a deceptive move because I gave you a few days to make me change my mind about us. I don't trust you enough, I don't trust your love enough to build my hope on it. If you hurt me yesterday, you're bound to do it again tomorrow.'

'Don't tell me what I will or will not do.' Dex warned between clenched teeth.

'I have used up all my strength fighting for your love Dex. I don't have enough energy in me to survive another storm from you. It'll be too much. I think I am better safe than sorry this time around.'

'So why are you here? Why did you give me days to try and work things out when you knew in the end you really wouldn't care still?'

Beth had never seen Dex so angry in all the days she'd known him. His hands were shaking. He moved some steps away from her and stood next to the window. He faced away from her and fisted his hands.

'I'm sorry. I though we could try, but now I know we can't. I'm not able to anymore Dex. My will to fight for love has been completely destroyed.' She whispered in between sobs.