Chapter 56 Orla
Orla
I’d just finished switching on the dishwasher when I found him upstairs, stretched out on our bed in nothing but a pair of plaid pajama bottoms, the lamplight carving shadows across the sharp lines of his chest. His hand moved absently, tracing the letter O over his heart like he didn’t even realise he was doing it.
My throat tightened. He looked so big, so strong, and yet in that moment he seemed breakable.
“Hey, sweetheart,” I said softly, not wanting to jar him from wherever his head had gone.
His gaze lifted, heavy but warm. “Hey, baby. Come over here.”
I slid onto the bed beside him, palms sweeping over the solid heat of his stomach before curling around him. He kissed me slowly, then pressed his forehead to mine with a sigh.
“I’m sorry you had such a shitty Christmas.”
I huffed out a laugh, brushing my nose against his.
“Are you kidding me? I woke up in my massive new mansion—which, by the way, has a pool—wrapped in the arms of my gorgeous husband, who spoiled me with the most thoughtful gifts. Then I got adopted by an awesome new brother and sister-in-law who might actually love me more than they love you.”
That got a laugh out of him in a way that rolled through his chest into mine. “They probably do, O. Can’t blame them.”
He went quiet then, his thumb brushing over my hip like he was working up to something. “Thank you… for being here. Through all that.”
I tipped my head, catching his eyes. “I’m your wife, Tyler. That’s the job.”
His throat worked. “I just… I wanted you to see the good parts of me. Instead, you saw what I’ve been running from my whole life. And now that’s your mother-in-law.”
“Don’t be sorry,” I whispered. “She loves you. That’s clear. She’s just…unwell. And people who are unwell need help.”
His jaw flexed. “O, I’ve lost count of how many rehab stints I’ve paid for. How many times I’ve picked her up off the floor.”
I cupped his face, steadying him. “I know. But peace doesn’t come from forgiving everything, it comes from knowing you did what you could.
Maybe it’s a different clinic, maybe out of state, maybe out of the country.
We’ll find a way. But Tyler—” My thumb smoothed his cheek.
“We don’t let her take you down with her. ”
His eyes softened in the most raw and unguarded in a way. I ached for him. He kissed me slowly again, his hand tightening around me.
“See? Not such a shitty Christmas after all?” I smiled against his lips.
A corner of his mouth tugged up. “You sure about that? Pretty sure you didn’t plan on your new husband dragging his drunk mother home in the middle of dinner.”
“True.” I traced a circle on his stomach. “But I also didn’t plan on a Malibu mansion or a Cartier watch. Life with you has a way of balancing out.”
He laughed warmly again. “You’re incredible, you know that?”
I pressed a kiss to his jaw, lingering until I felt him relax under me. “Good thing I’ve still got one more present for you.”
His brows rose, suspicion and intrigue flickering together in those green eyes. “Orla…”
“Shh.” I slid down the bed, smirking up at him as I tugged his bottoms down with me. “No refunds. No exchanges.”