Chapter 17
Looking back at the weeks since Eliana lelt, Milo realized he’d been desperately trying to recapture something that was already gone iven wan Harper by his side, he felt no happiness–just growing disgust at her willingness to destroy an innocent woman’s life
The more he thought about it, the more he couldn’t stop missing Eliana.
He missed coming home to her gentle smile. Missed the way she’d fuss over him when he looked tired. Missed how she’d blush and bury her face in Kis neck when they made love, like she still couldn’t believe he was hers. His heart was pounding like he’d just discovered something life changing, drowning in memories he’d been too blind to appreciate.
But Eliana was gone.
Suddenly, crushing pain exploded in his chest, like his heart was literally breaking.
That’s when it hit him with devastating clarity: he’d been madly in love with Eliana all along.
He didn’t answer Harper’s hysterical question, but his face said everything.
Harper went from self–pity to suspicion to absolute fury. She couldn’t stand losing what she’d thought was hers–especially to someone she’d always seen as beneath her.
She completely lost her shit, screaming like a banshee.
“You said I was the only one you ever loved! What the fuck is this supposed to mean? Are you telling me you fell for that pathetic little housewife? Say something!”
Under Harper’s relentless assault, Milo’s mind was pure chaos. He stayed silent, trying to process what he’d just realized.
But Harper was used to being the center of his universe. The more he ignored her, the more vicious she became. She hurled her phone across the room, shattering it against the wall with enough force to bring the media jackals running back.
They shoved cameras and microphones in their faces, shouting over each other.
“What’s happening here? Ms. Lennox, didn’t you just tell us Mr. Blake never loved his ex–wife?”
“Are you saying everything you just broadcast was a lie? Mr. Blake, we need an explanation!”
“Mr. Blake, are you actually in love with Eliana Hart?”
The cameras pressed closer as Harper kept shrieking at him. If he admitted the truth now, Harper would be completely annihilated.
But why the hell should he protect her? Thinking about all the pain Eliana had suffered because of this toxic woman, his hands balled into fists.
His patience finally exploded. Looking at Harper now, he felt nothing but pure revulsion. How had he ever been attracted to such a selfish, manipulative bitch who’d systematically destroyed the best person in his life?
His eyes burned with rage as he finally spoke the truth,
“You’re absolutely right. I’m completely, desperately in love with Eliana Hart! You abandoned me for years–she’s the one who was there for everything. She’s the one who actually gave a damn/about me. What gives you the right to destroy her reputation with your lies?”
His voice was raw with fury, dark enough to make Harper actually step back in fear. Tears filled her eyes, but with cameras rolling, she tried to maintain her victim performance.
“That boring little nothing is-”
CRACK!
Before she could finish, Milo’s palm connected with her face so hard the sound echoed through the hospital corridor.
Harper’s perfectly applied makeup couldn’t hide the shock replacing her fake
He’d actually fucking hit her.
“You hit me! Milo Blake, you actually hit me! You said you loved me, and now you’re attacking me for some nobody! You’re already divorced from her!”
Sorry Captain Milo, Our Love Score Has Hit Zero
10.0%
Chapter
She tried to claw at him, but now that Milo saw Harper, true nature, she looked like something poisonous he needed to s her wrists and backhanded her even harder
The second blow whipped her head around, her cheek immediately purpling. But his rage was just getting started.
“Ellana endured way worse than this because of you, you vindictive bitch. This is nothing compared to the hell you put her through. You’r take back every fucking lie you just told, or I’ll make sure everyone knows exactly what kind of person you really are!
His voice was arctic, his eyes deadly. If there’d been any lingering affection for Harper before, it was completely incinerated now.
All he felt was disgust–at her, and at himself for enabling her cruelty toward Eliana for so long.
He shoved through the media swarm, ignoring Harper’s hysterical subbing behind him, and stormed out of the hospital.
Back at the house, Milo was consumed with thoughts of Eliana. Now that he’d admitted he loved her, he could see how catastrophically wrong he’d been about everything.
Four years of marriage, and he’d taken her for granted every single day. He’d been too arrogant to recognize that her quiet, steady love was worth more than all of Harper’s drama and manipulation combined.
For the first time in his life, Milo understood what it meant to have your soul ripped out. He couldn’t handle the agony and let out a broken roar that echoed through their empty house.
Why hadn’t he treasured her when she was right there? Why hadn’t he seen how incredible she was? Why hadn’t he fought for her, protected her, chosen her?
He wandered through rooms that still smelled like her perfume, touching things she’d touched, remembering a thousand small moments he’d ignored while chasing after someone who’d never really wanted him.
The way Eliana would wait up for him no matter how late he came home. How she’d learned to make his coffee exactly the way he liked it. The pride in her eyes when she’d talk about his work. Her gentle hands when he was sick. Her laugh when he’d actually manage to make her smile.
He’d had everything–a woman who loved him unconditionally, who would have walked through fire for him–and he’d thrown it all away for a beautiful illusion.
When dawn broke, Milo was still sitting on their bed, clutching one of Eliana’s sweaters, sobbing like his world had ended.
Because it had. The love of his life was gone, and it was entirely his fault.
He’d lost her forever, and there was no one to blame but himself.
