Page 90 of Tears of Glass

“So tomorrow if you get cut off, it doesn’t matter. We will marry and our children will be under the Fairclough precedent even though we don’t live by their rules and are no longer part of the family?”

He nods. The delphinium blues say it all.

“Why didn’t you tell me? Before you even told me you loved me, you should have said so I could choose.”

“So you could run away?”

“Yes!” I throw my hands in the air.

“You promised to never run. You swore it until your last breath.”

“You absolute fucker.” I did. I promised him everything. My life, my love, my everything.

“Do you break promises, Faith?”

“No.” I scowl.

“Good. Me neither. And I know we can face this. I love you. I love every prospective moment we are going to share. With or without the Faircloughs.”

“But they are always going to be there. Always ruining everything. Your mother and her games.” I shudder. “And your grandmother.”

“Well then it’s time I close a deal with them.”

His eyes are fierce.

“Eli.”

His hands grip my arms firm and determined, and I shiver as memories of last night in the hallway wash over me. “Don’t you dare run.” His voice leaves no room for argument.

It takes everything in me, but somehow, I manage to stand still while the man I love holds me in place and keeps me close to his heart.

Chapter Twenty-Four

I can’t face anyone as I make my way to campus. With my head down and my step quick I weave my way around the morning pedestrian traffic.

Who has seen the paper?

Who knows I’m Elijah Fairclough’s mistress?

I’m almost panting as I walk through the gates. The gates which only a couple of weeks before Eli had deposited me at and told me to give this a second chance.

Before he convinced me to give him a second chance...

Second chances... what a pile of shit.

My phone vibrates and I grab it out of the pocket of my jacket.

Eli Jones: Hey, Mistress... Have a good day. Don’t forget I’ll be home late ;-)

This is it. No more hiding.

I stop for a moment, breathing deep. Then pulling my shit together and arming myself with my ink and words, I stand up tall and shake my hair out over my shoulders.

Fuck everyone.

Eli loves me. I love him. The rest of it can burn.

I march through the gates straight into Gerard who is stood by the café. His arms folded, face painted with pensive concern.