Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21861 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21861 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
She found herself starting to cry again as she packed her things. To hurt her husband continuously was not an option, but to resume their marriage just like that wasn't in the cards either. She had told Colin she was willing to come back and think things through while staying with him under one roof. He had accepted her terms and given Hope his word about waiting.
I don't care how long it takes, Hope. You're giving me a chance. I can't ask for more.
She wiped the tears away before heading down to the lobby. But as soon as she was inside his car and on her way back to his home—
He loves me, God.
And I love him.
These two things were true, but she also knew it was not enough. It never was. For a marriage to truly work, God had to be a part of the equation.
He had to have chosen Colin for her and Hope for him.
And that was why...
I'll wait, God.
Just like Colin.
No matter how long it took.
She would wait for His sign because she was placing all of her trust in Him, the way she should have done from the start.
Chapter Ten
A week passed in careful coexistence.
Breakfast in the kitchen each morning, separate activities during the day, and dinner together in the evenings, conversation flowing more easily as days passed, though certain topics remained untouched.
Not once did Colin press for resolution or clarity about their future. Not once did he attempt to rush her carefully measured pace. Instead, he demonstrated patience and gentleness, and his willingness to wait had her praying even harder every night.
Please, God. Please.
It was Wednesday afternoon when Hope found herself unexpectedly alone in the main house. Colin had back-to-back meetings downtown and security was on roving patrol of the property perimeter while the household staff was out in the garden for specialized training. Their billionaire boss had developed something that could elevate home gardening to a whole new level, and who better to include in its trial run than his own staff?
With no one else around, Hope found herself cherishing this unique time of solitude, and she decided to curl up on one of the comfy armchairs scattered around the front porch. She was about to start reading when the sound of tires on gravel interrupted the silence, and Hope glanced up just in time to see a convertible pull into the circular drive.
Princess.
Hope's stomach tied itself in knots as she watched the other woman step out. Gorgeous like always, Hope thought absently. She really couldn't blame Colin for falling hard for the other woman. Most men would.
Princess' hardened expression as Hope stepped out to meet her halfway had her hesitating. The other woman was usually careful in keeping her real feelings behind a mask of helpless femininity. So why was she different now?
"Hello, Hope. Colin told me he had meetings throughout the day—"
Impossible.
"And that had me thinking...today might just be the best time to speak to you alone."
Princess' words also had Hope thinking, and that was how she needed to pray for protection from any kind of attack. Because the other woman meant to make trouble, that much was clear.
Hope reluctantly invited Princess to join her on the porch. She settled back into her armchair while the other woman took the couch and crossed her legs.
"Can I offer you a drink?"
"It's fine. I don't mean to take up much of your time." Princess looked around. "You've made yourself quite at home."
"It is my home."
"Temporarily."
Hope's eyes widened.
"Someone saw you speaking with Charlotte Takahashi. That tells me everything I have to know, and it's why I've come here."
"I'm afraid I don't understand—"
"I'm offering you a graceful exit. I'm not sure what lies you've fed—"
Hope shook her head. "I've never—"
The other woman cut her off with a scornful look. "And you expect me to believe you just because you said so?" Princess' words took on an irritable tone. "You're a woman, Hope. Underneath your goody-two-shoes image is a woman, and we all operate the same way. We'll do whatever it takes to keep our man."
Princess couldn't be any more wrong, Hope thought. But she also realized that the other woman might not yet be ready to accept the truth.
"You may have him fooled right now, but it's not going to last. Colin is mine. He's always been mine. Even when I was married to someone else. Even when twenty-five years had already passed since he last had a taste of my body." Princess' expression turned vengeful. "He's always been mine, and can we just be real for a second here? Do you really think someone as boring as you has a chance against someone like me?"
Hope kept waiting for her to feel hurt, but her heart remained free from pain.
Because of God.
And another thing that He had changed?