Sealed With A Vow

Chapter 37- Find You

The alarm clock read 5 o'clock when I finally stirred awake, my eyes swollen from all the tears I'd shed earlier. I was surprised I didn't end up sleeping through the entire day and night after my fight with Ashley. It had definitely taken its toll on me, both physically and mentally.

If Derek had never broken up the fight, I would've given Ashley the beating she deserved. Even now, traces of anger and rage still lingered in my mind, none of which would ever go away until she was out of my life for good. I'd rather stab a needle through my arm than have to see her wicked face again.

At the same time, I absolutely loathed myself for reacting the way I did. The satisfaction of hurting Ashley had blinded me from something much more important- my baby. I couldn't even begin to imagine how devastating it'd be if my actions had harmed our little bean.

Seeing Derek's face back in the car only heightened my feelings of regret. He'd looked so frightened and lost, desperate to be reassured that our baby was fine.

How could I have done that to him?

This whole situation never would've happened if I'd just simply ignored Ashley. Instead, I stooped down to her level and now, I felt more terrible than ever.

Just as I was about to drag myself out of bed, Derek walked in holding his phone to one ear, wearing a plain white tshirt and sweatpants. He gave me a weak smile then sat down at the edge of the bed.

"Who is it?", I mouthed to him.

"Keith," he mouthed back.

I nodded and snuggled back against the pillows, listening to whatever Derek had to say.

"You agree with me on this one, right? It's for the best. I don't want my wife suffering because of her," he stated firmly into the phone.

Ashley.

My curiosity peaked, and I waited for the conversation to end, hoping that Derek would tell me whatever it was he and Keith were discussing.

When he finally hung up, he set his phone on the nightstand then shifted to lay beside me, pulling me into his arms.

"How are you feeling?", he asked, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

"Somewhat better," I murmured, playing with the hem of his tshirt.

"I explained the incident to Keith. I didn't tell him exactly what Ashley said to you, but I told him how she hasn't stopped causing you pain even though I warned her to leave you alone."

"And what did he say?"

Derek exhaled, staring deep into my eyes, and I saw a ghost of a smile on his lips.

"He said you're the boldest woman he'd ever met."

"Really?" My face lit up.

"Really."

I let out the biggest sigh of relief and Derek chuckled.

"After what happened, I thought everyone would hate me."

"Not a single soul out there could ever hate you, sweetheart. If anything, my fellow coworkers seem to love you more and more each time they meet you. Trent even said that you're better at organizing our company fundraisers than we are."

"Yeah, right," I scoffed.

"It's true. You've got wicked organizational and management skills. But more importantly, you're super lovable." He gave my hip a playful squeeze.

After reassuring me that he and Keith would explain the incident to the rest of their coworkers on Monday at work, he asked about what Ashley had said to aggravate me so much.