Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 351

Longing crashed over him, relentless as a tidal wave.

How long had it been?

How long since he'd last seen Mila Sutherland?

He ached to hold her. To kiss her.

Once, he could kneel for hours with his back straight and his face expressionless. Now, his features were drawn and weary, his fox-like eyes flickering with confusion, candlelight dancing in his pupils—unsteady, wild, in time with his racing heart.

Seven days and seven nights.

He'd been on his knees in the family chapel, facing the memorials of generations past. Grief and yearning howled through him, deafening and all-consuming, shaking him to the core.

Bang!

Bang! Bang!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Each strike thundered through the quiet, and at last, he understood what he wanted.

All those moments of instinctive attraction, unconscious closeness, the ever- growing hunger, the calm that came from her touch... In this moment, it all made sense, all of it real and undeniable.

His eyes grew red, rimmed with the sting of unshed tears.

He bowed his head, staring at his open palm, his vision blurring. Why had it taken him this long? Maybe ignorance would have been kinder.

What had he done?

He pressed his hand over his face, doubling over with his forehead against the polished floor, the silent memorials before him heavy with judgment.

long time, he stayed that

a low, broken

with pain, edged

his now-his, for as

as his will stayed strong. He'd

a lie, he'd carry that lie for a

He had no regrets.

morning, the chapel doors creaked open. Sunlight spilled in, stretching Lysander's shadow long and thin across the floor. At the threshold stood his grandfather,

you made up your

lips dry and trembling, but a faint smile tugged at the

"I only want her."

of it mattered. Once he held the reins of the family, he

This was his one chance. That woman's heart was locked away, and if he let this slip by, he'd never get another opportunity-never one so

was right. He couldn't let it

Crack!

grandfather's face twisted in anger. He brought the cane down hard on Lysander's back, making him flinch. "Tell me, what is it about her

What was it?

pale, gaunt face.

his feet, to him, she was different. Let her be dust or mud-he

"I only want her."

again, each word

ways he could intervene, but he didn't want to break the bond between them —and after all, this was the first time Lysander Montgomery had ever truly

the battle of wills, it was always

man listened as Lysander's voice softened, almost

she's carrying my child. I want to build a home

low, nearly

there for a long moment, then turned away.

bowed low, pressing his forehead to the floor three times until blood

ancestors! Help

...