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)
The ability to view Princess without the green lens of jealousy and instead see her for who she really was: a woman who had also been let down by the people she cared for, which in turn made her mistake money as the only reliable thing in the world.
Hope cleared her throat. "I know you care for Colin—"
"Stop it."
The sudden sharpness of Princess' tone startled her, and the way Princess also jerked to her feet was equally startling.
Hope stood up and looked at Princess uncertainly. Why did the other woman look so furious all of a sudden?
"Do you think I don't know what you're doing?" Princess spat. "You think you're so much better than me, don't you? So much nicer and kinder?"
"I never—"
"Colin will always be mine," Princess said in a hard voice. "I'm his first love. And you're nothing but a replacement."
Hope couldn't speak, her attention stolen by the red-tailed hawk circling the sky.
It was a sign.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" the other woman was screeching. "Are you trying to piss me off by acting like I'm not even here?"
Her tears started to fall, and Hope's eyes closed just as Princess charged toward her.
Thank You, God.
"You bitch—"
The words startled her into opening her eyes again, and all she could see was Princess with her hand already raised.
But the slap never landed, with a strong grip intercepting Princess' wrist mid-swing.
Colin.
"That's enough, Princess."
The muddy tracks on the porch made Hope realize he had come her from the garden, but neither Princess nor her had heard his footsteps.
The other woman whirled around, her expression one of hurt. "Colin, it's not what you think! Your wife—"
"I heard everything," he said curtly. "I was here the whole time."
Princess shook her head wildly. "Can't you see she's manipulating you—"
"The only person attempting to use anyone is you." Colin's voice remained steady, though tension radiated from his tall frame. "It's over, Princess. Whatever history we shared, whatever connection you imagine between us—it's finished."
"Because of her?" Princess spat, glaring at Hope with undisguised hatred. "A woman you bought—"
"It doesn't matter how two people meet, Princess. And I think it's time for both of us need to accept that. Hope is it for me. And that will never change."
Colin turned towards Hope.
And it was this that seemed to destroy Princess. It was as if she had suddenly lost her mind, and she turned toward Hope, her face a picture of rage and insanity.
"This is all your fault!"
It was not Colin who held her back. This time, Colin's security came out of nowhere, flanking Princess on each side as they carried her off the porch.
"Hope?" Colin's gorgeous face suddenly filled her vision as he stood in front of her, his features dark with concern. "Are you alright? I'm sorry you had to—"
Whatever he intended to say disappeared as Hope launched herself into his arms, nearly toppling him backward with the unexpected motion. His arms closed around her automatically, steadying them both.
"I love you," she declared, the words bursting from her like water through a broken dam. "I love you, Colin Soukoulis."
Colin froze, clearly struggling to process the sudden shift after so many days of distance, and she cupped his face with shaking hands.
"It's not a dream."
Because she could see that was what he was thinking.
"This is real."
Because this time, they had His blessing.
"I love you—"
His arms finally wrapped around her, the strength of his embrace nearly crushing her.
"I love you, Hope." His voice was raw. "I love you." And his own hands were shaking as he cupped her face. "I love you. Thank you for taking me back."
Epilogue
Warm water cascaded over Hope's shoulders, washing away the lingering scent of smoke from the evening's barbecue. She closed her eyes, savoring the quiet moment after hours of celebration. Colin had outdone himself with the surprise party, having transformed the ranch's courtyard into a festive gathering space for her forty-first birthday.
Hope smiled as she recalled the unexpected guests who had arrived this afternoon. Charlotte Carmichaels Takahashi and her younger husband Sano had flown in from San Antonio specifically for the celebration. With them were "San Antonio's Finest Eligibles"—four devastatingly handsome billionaires who'd apparently been friends with Charlotte's late FBI agent husband. The men had immediately bonded with Colin, falling into conversation as if they'd known each other for years rather than hours. Their inside jokes and easy camaraderie had transformed Colin from reserved host to relaxed participant, a side of him few people ever witnessed.
But the real revelation had come when the wives had pulled Hope aside during dessert, their expressions conspiratorial as they shared champagne on the veranda.
"Charlotte's quite proud of her success rate," Isla had commented with a knowing smile.
"Success rate?" Hope had questioned, glancing toward where Charlotte stood chatting with the gathered husbands.
"All of us," Hilary had clarified with a sweet smile, gesturing around their intimate circle. "We're just like you..."