The Heir (The King Dynasty #1)

29. Hell On Earth

Chapter twenty-nine

Hell On Earth

Two weeks later

L eaving Marianne to see out my family who'd come to my house after Xavier's funeral, I bypass the staircase wearily, hauling myself down the hallway to my study in absolute agony, my feet feeling like heavy weights dragging me down. I pass a mirror and stop reluctantly, seeing a man who's haggard, lifeless, useless.

Gray circles and bags are under my eyes, my beard has grown out and lost it's shine, my cheekbones stick out further. But that's just the outside. I couldn't give a fuck less about the outside.

My soul is bleeding, and I ask myself for the hundredth time that if Izzy and my baby dies-

My heart tightens at the thought and I grunt, holding my hand to my chest and pausing in the threshold of my study while I wait for the pain to pass. I tap my hand on my chest like the therapist instructed me. My hand trembles as I have to work hard to change the direction of my thoughts, taking myself away from Izzy's potential death to focus on my anger right now, the only thing keeping me sane.

Everyone's trying to rally behind me, but I'm ashamed to say that I can't feel their strength. Only able to feel the despair that threatens to debilitate me until I am but a shell of who I was. Like what's happening with Melody.

I can't stand to look at Mason right now. The fact that he's partly the reason we're in this shit shatters me in ways that I didn't even think was possible. I thought I disliked him before but now?

I hate him.

And I had to sit and listen to him try to explain how his friend, who is in the mafia, ratted Izzy out for fifty-thousand dollars. His friend had broken into his phone, texted with Isobel to see her location the day she was taken, and the rest is history.

Taking a deep breath I close the door to my office and then stand for a second, asking God to give me the strength I need to just sit my ass in my chair. That's all I need, enough strength to walk the twenty feet to my desk and sit.

I can do it.

It takes forever, but eventually I make it. My knees ache as I sit, weary, in the leather chair that my father gifted me when I bought this house just four years ago. The fireplace flickers, however, I can't feel it's warmth. No, this cold has settled so bone deep that I know it's because I'm feeling my connection with Izzy.

At least, I hope that's what it is. And I'm not feeling this cold because she's dea-

Clearing my throat hard, I dismiss the thought again and reach over to my desk drawer, opening it and then pushing the hidden button to release the hidden compartment that houses the most priceless thing to me on Earth, aside from my wedding ring and our drawing.

I take the folded paper out and place it gently on the desktop in front of me. Just staring at the crisp edges of the paper. Lines so perfect because after I'd written it, I tucked it in my desk and never touched it again. Afraid I'd jinx it. I take a deep breath, reaching forward with trembling fingers and grasp the edge, pulling it open and flattening it. My eyes zero in on the date I'd wrote it.

It was the day she'd come to my office sick after Christopher had given her four year old tums.

Tears flood my eyes as I glance over the name written on top. And as I read, I can only get halfway through before a ragged groan leaves my chest and I put my fist to my mouth, leaning over and sobbing.

Isobel,

I hope you know how much more you're worth than your current situation. I see your value in every step you take, every time you put your eyes to your work, and every time you challenge me with your fiery spirit. I want you to know how much I desire you. I crave you. And not just because you're beautiful, and trust me, you have plenty of that, but because you shine so bright that your value is immeasurable, baby.

It's in every beautiful line and curve of who you are.

I wish I could tell you how much I love you, but I know you need time. And I'm trying to give it to you, baby, I really am, but I'm getting impatient. I want you to see me. I think you see me, but something is blinding you, Izzy, and I wish I knew what it was so I could take it from you… give you your sight back.

Because there isn't a single thing in this world I wouldn't give you, if I could .

I cannot wait to show you all that life has to offer. And open doors for you so you can offer the world your talent in return. Every night I go to bed I think about how wonderful life would be with you, and I think about how dull my life is without you.

There's no sparkle without you, Izzy. There just isn't.

But I know with you, there would be. There would be laughter to combat the sadness, joy to counter the pain. We would have so much to look forward to in our life, because we'll be together. Living.

Can you see it, baby? Us. Together?

We'd dance in the rain, kiss under the stars, swim naked with the tadpoles and whisper our love for each other over a shared cup of soft ice cream in Italy. Leave everyone behind while we hole up in a room and make love with the warm Paris breeze caressing our skin with the glittering Eiffel tower in the background. Hug in the quiet of the breathtaking Northern lights of the Antarctic.

How fun. Exciting. The adventures we'd have.

Whether it's taking a simple hike, or blowing a bunch of money on something nonsensical, I want to do it all with you.

And soon, we will. Just you wait. We're going to have everything we would ever want. And it's going to be amazing.

We're going to be amazing.

I love you Isobel.

Yours,

Henny

I break down, placing my head on the desk helplessly as my heart breaks completely in half. Sliding out of my seat, I hit the floor curling up on my side and stare into the fireplace, willing the warmth in so that maybe she can feel it too. Sweetie rubs her soft fur against my face, curling up next to my neck.

She hasn't purred once since Isobel's been gone.

There, in the middle of the night, clutching onto Sweetie and the letter that houses my hopes and dreams for my love, I also clutch desperately onto a sliver of hope.

It's all I've got.