After the Last Tear: Rising from the Ashes of a Broken Marriage By Cassila K

Chapter 17

Alistair stormed forward, grabbing Elaine's arm and pulling her toward him. She stumbled, nearly losing her balance before Atticus Vaughn steadied her with a quick hand.

Realizing he'd almost made her fall, Alistair stopped walking but didn't release her arm, frustration flashing across his face.

Once she'd regained her footing, Elaine finally looked at him. Even seeing the apology in his eyes didn't soften her irritation one bit.

"And you are...?" Atticus finally asked, breaking the awkward tension.

Two answers came simultaneously:

"My ex-husband."

"Her husband!"

simple words "ex-husband"-hit Alistair like a physical blow. His jaw tightened stubbornly. "I never agreed

entire flight to San Francisco, Alistair had been thinking about everything— their marriage, their relationship.A marriage that had begun as a business

sacrifice anything for her memory.

provided money and status; she helped him deal with his family's pressure

three years, he'd grown comfortable with that arrangement, convinced he could never love anyone again. But learning Elaine was leaving had made him panic. Made him anxious. Made him desperate to

seeing another man ask Elaine out—and

He loved Elaine.

talk? Please?" He stood before her, having mustered every ounce of courage he possessed, hoping to

her hand free

she finally looked up at him, her eyes were nothing like the warm gaze

left to talk about,

so intense his

stepped forward, determined to reach her, but suddenly found Atticus standing between