Sealed With A Vow

Chapter 14- Another Chance

I slammed the door in Derek's face then ran as fast as I could to my bedroom. I quickly shut the door and locked it, sliding onto the floor as my heart began pounding in my chest.

This couldn't be happening...

His loud footsteps sounded throughout the entire apartment, and I sucked in a deep breath when I heard them pause right outside my room.

"Open the door," Derek spoke in a calm tone.

I remained silent as I felt my eyes begin to water. This was so unfair. One minute, I thought I could finally be happy again and the next, my selfish husband came to take it all away, expecting me to be able to talk to him after everything he'd put me through.

"Claire, you can't keep hiding from me like this," he said with a frustrated groan.

"Yes I can!", I shouted angrily through my tears.

"Please, Claire, I need to talk to you. I'll wait out here all day if I need to."

I muttered a bunch of curses under my breath then unwillingly reached up to open the door for Derek. He stepped into the room and nearly kicked me since I was sitting on the floor.

"Claire!", he exclaimed, quickly bending down as he wrapped his arms around me.

"Let go of me!", I protested, attempting to push my husband away, but that only made him tighten his embrace.

"Damn it, I've missed you so much," he said urgently, kissing the top of my head.

I winced in disgust and kneed Derek in the balls, causing him to immediately back off of me. He stumbled to his feet, and I stood up also, placing my hands on my hips.

"What the fuck was that for?!", he exclaimed in disbelief, glancing down at his manhood.

"How the hell did you find me?", I demanded.

"Charlotte told me you were here," he responded.

"She what?!", I yelled.

How could my best friend betray me like this?!

"Claire, look at me," Derek ordered, reaching out to grab my wrists.

"Go away!"

"Goddamn it, will you just let me talk to you?!", he shouted in a desperate tone.

I forced myself to look up at my husband, and that's when I noticed how worn out he was. The usual sparkle in his eyes had disappeared and instead, they were now dull and red. He hadn't shaved in days, and it was obvious he'd lost a ton of weight, too.

I wondered what could be the cause of his dramatic change in appearance.

I went to sit down on the bed and Derek placed himself next to me, his eyes burning right through mine with such intensity, I thought I'd fall victim to him in a heartbeat. But that wasn't going to happen. I was perfectly capable of standing up for myself.

So what he had to say better be good.

"Claire, I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am. For everything. I was a dick for treating you so horribly, and I took you for granted when instead, I should've appreciated you because honestly, I probably will never find a wife like you ever again in my entire life," he spoke, looking completely torn.

I was silent then waited for him to continue.

"When you left me, I just couldn't stop thinking about you. I kept telling myself that you'd come back in a couple of days. But you didn't."