Ch. 37 – Layla
L ayla’s heart stopped. Ground to a halt. All she could do was blink and stare at the man standing in the living room of her mother’s house.
Finally, her brain kicked back into gear.
“What are you doing here, Cal?” she demanded.
“You look beautiful,” he said. “The dress is gorgeous.”
“Not anymore.” Layla released the stiff, torn train of her wedding dress, and it thumped softly to the ground. “How did you— the spare key.” The answer snapped into her mind. She kept a ring of spare keys in the miscellaneous drawer of their kitchen.
Cal took a cautious step forward. “The Desert Bloom Winery called. Said you wanted to use the money we put down for our reception. They asked for my permission since it was on my card.”
“Oh. Well.” Layla trembled. It had nothing to do with her half-frozen body.
“I gave the permission. It looks like you had quite the time.” His dark eyes roved up and down her body.
Everything about him, from his slicked-back hair to the crisp white Ralph Lauren Oxford he wore, felt so familiar and so foreign at the same time. And that scent, leather and clove with just a hint of cigar smoke, curled in her nostrils, tearing her brain to shreds.
“Did you expect a ‘thank you?’” Layla meant the words to sound strong and dismissive, but her voice shook.
“I didn’t come here for a thank you.” Cal took another step forward, slowly eliminating the space between them. “I came to win you back.
His intense gaze met hers. Layla recognized that look. It was the same expression that flickered in his eyes when someone at a party mentioned they might be in the market for a new car.
Cal was on the hunt.
And she was his prey.
Layla shook her head furiously. “Cal, we’re over. I asked for space.”
“ You said we were done. I never agreed to that,” he answered, his voice soft but firm. “And I gave you space for the past month, but I can’t wait any longer. I need you.”
Layla’s voice trembled. “You had your chance. You had 10 years to prove yourself. I loved you. I worshiped you.”
“I know.” Cal stepped forward again, and now they stood inches apart. Layla wanted to retreat, but she forced herself to hold her ground.
“I had to beg you to get engaged,” she accused, making herself meet his eyes. “You only agreed to set a wedding date when I threatened to call it off.” Shame burned through her chest. She hadn’t even told her mother and sister about that horrible argument. Her voice caught in her throat. “And then you cheated.”
Cal nodded, accepting her anger. “I’m a flawed person. A fuck-up.” Pain etched across his face. Was it real? She honestly didn’t know.
“I’ve made so many mistakes,” he continued. “I understand why you hate me.”
“I don’t hate you.” A tired laugh escaped her lips. “Half of me still loves you, but I won’t take you back.”
Cal reached out, took her hands. “You were the best thing that ever happened to me.”
His hands heated her chilled skin, sent life back into her frozen fingers. “You were my angel. My salvation.” Cal’s voice cracked. “And I threw it all away.”
He pressed his forehead against her neck. “I’m nothing without you, Layla. I know you don’t believe me, but it’s true. These past months have been hell. You can’t know how sorry I am. How much I hate myself when I look in the mirror each morning.”
“Don’t say that.” His words wrenched at her heart.
“It’s true,” he pressed. “Sometimes, I can barely even get out of bed. I miss you so, so, so much, Rapunzel.”
“Cal, please. It’s over.” Layla’s voice wavered.
“Take me back.” He embraced her, engulfing her in warmth. It wasn’t so long ago that his arms had been her home. Her sanctuary.
“If you give me one more chance, I’ll make everything right,” Cal murmured in her ear. “I’ll take care of you, Rapunzel. I’ll cover you in jewels. I’ll fly you around the world. I’ll be a good husband to you. A good father to our children.”
Layla closed her eyes. His words filled the cold hollows of her bones. They wrapped bandages around her wounded heart. She didn’t care about jewels or vacations, but the rest…the rest made her soul ache.
Beneath her closed lids, Layla could almost see the future he painted for them. Their big, beautiful house. The patter of little feet running down the stairs. She’d wake up with Cal next to her in bed. They’d smile at each other. Kiss every morning. He’d get ready for work while she’d start making breakfast for the children…
Prem!
The happy dream vanished in wisps of smoke. It’d only ever been a fantasy.
In her mind’s eye, Layla saw Prem, his solemn brown eyes, the quirk of a smile on his lips. Heat simmered under her skin, so much hotter, so much more real than the tepid warmth Cal offered.
Cal had always been a lie.
Prem was her truth.
Layla pulled herself roughly from Cal’s arms.
“It’s over.” She pointed to the door. “Please leave.”
“Rapunzel.” Cal slid to his knees and wrapped his arms around her legs. “I’m begging. I need you. I can’t live without you.”
“Stop!” Layla pleaded with him. “Please, don’t make this harder.”
She’d never seen Cal like this. Weak. Broken. Desperate. It terrified her.
Cal pressed his forehead into her legs. “I mean it.” His voice was ragged. “Without you, there’s no reason to go on.”
“Cal, please.” Tears streaked down Layla’s cheeks. “You can’t say that.”
Be strong, she thought frantically to herself. Be like Alanna.
“It’s true,” Cal whispered hoarsely against her knees. His shoulders quaked with sobs. “I’ll kill myself without you.”
Something inside of Layla broke.
She wasn’t strong like Alanna.
Layla was the comforter. The healer. The carer. The one who loved as hard as she could. Who pointed out the faintly shining stars no matter how dark the night became. Who found the rainbows after the storm.
All she ever wanted in life was to make the people around her happy. And the one thing she couldn’t stand was causing another pain.
She closed her eyes and imagined Prem again. Her heart swelled with pain as she kissed him goodbye.
I love you, she thought.
Then, she opened her eyes, slid down to her knees, and took Cal into her arms.
“Okay,” she whispered.
“What?” Cal grabbed her shoulders and stared into her eyes.
“I’ll take you back.” The words could barely make it through her burning throat.
Cal barked a cry of joy and pulled her into his chest. “You won’t regret this, Rapunzel. I’ll take care of you, forever.”
He released her and fumbled with his pocket.
Layla stared forward, her body a cold, distant thing.
What had she done?
But if Cal had hurt himself… Tears swam in her eyes. She couldn’t live with that guilt. Not when she could help him, protect him.
Cal took her left hand. Layla’s eyes drifted down, and she watched as he slid her engagement ring onto her finger.
“You and me forever, Rapunzel,” Cal said, his face breaking into a wide, victorious smile.
Layla stared at the huge, gaudy ring as tears slid down her cheeks.