Chapter 32- Final

Theodore sat in his office—thoughts filled with Abigail. The last thing he wanted was to entertain thoughts of the tantalising woman who drove him crazy, which was why the first thing he did when they arrived was head straight to his office. But he couldn’t help it. She was a few rooms away, sleeping, and he couldn’t focus on his papers. The last thing he wanted to do was write something in the wrong place. That could be chaotic.

He closed the folder and ran his fingers through his hair, exhausted. He’d only slept three hours on the plane, and that’s after Abigail finally fell asleep. He checked the time, seeing that it was minutes after ten a.m. Theodore replayed the past twelve hours in his head after learning about Abigail’s miscarriage.

The very thought caused a stab in his heart that he had never felt before. It almost felt as bad as when he lost Abigail. But losing his baby—their baby… It would’ve ruined him if he didn’t have to be so strong for Abigail. His parents could tell something was wrong when Theodore announced his and Abigail’s sudden departure. He didn’t trouble Jessica’s head with the lie he told his parents about having to get back to the office. He allowed Jessica and her groom to leave for their honeymoon before informing his parents that they won’t be staying.

They didn’t question him, but Penny spent a long time hugging him, telling him to do the best thing for himself. In decoded words, Penny was telling him never to lose Abigail.

On the plane, Abigail left her chair and sat on his lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, snuggled her nose in his shoulder and cried. Theodore had held her—just like he should have three months ago when she lost the baby. He hugged her, kissed her head and mumbled sweet words in her ear—just like he should have three months ago. He told her that it’d be okay, and this was not the end for them or whatever children they’d have in the future—just like he should have three months ago. And lastly, he told her he loved her over and over again until her tears finally subsided and she fell asleep in his arms—just like it should have been three months ago.

They didn’t exactly make up, but Theodore knew they needed that moment on the plane. And after they landed and Abigail fell asleep yet again in the car, he decided to take her to his penthouse since Najay wasn’t expecting them until later tonight, after all. They arrived at sunrise, and Abigail had been awake for exactly five minutes from the car to Theodore’s room, where she had been since.

He sighed again, feeling it might be time to wake her up and get her breakfast, then they can have a real talk and know where they go from there. He hated that he was angry with her even now. But Theodore couldn’t help but feel that nothing he did would ever be enough for her. Then again, he tried to tell himself that he hadn’t even known her for an entire year. He couldn’t expect her to change completely in just a few months. Abigail had come a long way from when they had just met, and she fell in love with him. That could be enough for him for now.

Theodore reached into his drawer, grabbing the small velvet box he’d gotten a few months ago. He popped it open, smiling at the teardrop-shaped diamond glistening under the streak of sunlight that escaped through the blinds. He loved her, that was for sure. This ring was enough to prove it.

When he bought the ring, Theodore had planned to ask Jessica for a moment during her reception to propose to Abigail. Yesterday, being there, knowing his plan wouldn’t go as he had prepared just weeks before their break up, Theodor was shattered. However, he had held onto the hope that he’d still be able to propose… someday.

But when he learned about the baby, his entire perspective changed. You can’t really plan anything in life. You could have hope for something, but there was always the possibility of the unexpected taking control. Life was short, unfair, unpredictable and unknowing. But Theodore knew one thing for sure—he couldn’t let Abigail go. Not because of anger, not because of trust, not because of Cleo—not anything.

Not now, not ever.

With his mind made up, Theodore placed the box back into his drawer and headed to his room, where he left Abigail. Except, she wasn’t there.

He headed downstairs to the kitchen with a frown, seeing that she wasn’t there either. It was odd because her bags didn’t go anywhere. He called her cell, but it went straight to voicemail. He searched the entire apartment, trying not to panic when he didn’t find her anywhere.

He fished for his phone and returned to his room, dropping in the bed where he knew he had left Abigail as his fingers hovered over Najay’s name. Theodore didn’t want to call her because he knew Najay wasn’t quite fond of him, but he had no choice. Abigail was upset, so she could’ve left to talk to Najay, right?

“Hello?” Najay’s confused voice cut through Theodore’s thoughts, dragging him back to reality.

“Najay, uh hi. Is there any chance Abigail came home this morning?”

“Abigail?” she questioned. “You guys weren’t supposed to be back until a few more hours. What did you do?”

Theodore pinched the bridge of his nose. “So I take it you haven’t seen her.”

“No, I haven’t.” The sass in her voice was evident. “And I swear to God, Theodore, if you hurt her again—”

“I’ll call you when I find her. Maybe she just left to get coffee or something.” And with that, he hung up, not wanting to hear Najay’s reply.

But deep down, Theodore knew Abigail didn’t leave to get coffee. If she wanted it, she would’ve made it herself. He remembered how she would always prefer making her own cup because she insisted it was far better than at the cafes.

Theodore threw his head in his hands, trying to convince himself that she didn’t leave. She wouldn’t have. Right?

He tried to find peace in knowing that she had left her duffle bag in his room, meaning she was planning to return. Maybe she woke up and didn’t know where he was, so she went for a walk? It could’ve been anything. But as Theodore thought about the endless possibilities, his eyes caught something red under Abigail’s bag—something like a piece of paper.

With his heart slamming mercilessly against his chest, Theodore grabbed the note with shaky hands, thinking it was from Abigail. But he didn’t know if he should’ve been relieved or terrified when he noticed that it wasn’t her handwriting.

Hello Theodore,

This might surprise you, but I have finally taken what was mine from the beginning. My guess is that Abigail won’t be too thrilled with this new arrangement, but out of respect for her, I’m giving you the luxury of saying goodbye.

Meet us on the roof. You have until ten-thirty. We wouldn’t want lunchtime to get… messy.

Without even seeing the name of who wrote this, Theodore knew who it had to be. Nicholas.

And he had Abigail.

He checked his phone, seeing that it was ten twenty-five.

“Shit,” he cursed under his breath, sprinting to the exit like fire was on his heels. Luckily, he was on the top floor, so the roof wasn’t too far up.

Theodore wasted no time calling the police as he rushed up the stairs leading to the roof. He practically barked at them to come now as he shoved the door to the roof open. But he stopped dead in his tracks, the phone tumbling from his hand as he saw them. Nicholas had Abigail leaning against the rails on the roof, with Abigail’s hands tied and a piece of tape over her mouth.

Her beautiful eyes were red as blood with dried tear streaks against her cheeks. Theodore cursed himself for not going to look for her sooner. Just a minute later and she could’ve been—

“It’s about time!” Nicholas shouted, snapping Theodore’s attention from Abigail.

Theodore ground his teeth together, trying not to run toward them. Just one step could have Nicholas throwing himself over the edge, along with Abigail. Theodore didn’t understand the note quite well until now—seeing him practically glued to Abigail’s side, rigid with wide, crazy eyes, daring Theodore to move.

The last thing Theodore wanted to do was risk Abigail’s life.

“Nicholas, don’t do this,” he growled, trying to control his feet.

But when Abigail wiggled and made a tiny squeal of pain, he couldn’t help it. He took two long strides towards them before Nicholas hauled half of Abigail’s body over the rail, causing a stream of tears to fall from her eyes, followed by a muffled scream.

“Wait, wait!” Theodore bellowed, holding up his hands. His eyes flashed towards Abigail briefly before meeting Nicholas’s cold gaze again. It was then that Theodore saw his mistake. He called the cops and told them where to find Nicholas. The minute they came barging through that door, all Nicholas needed was a second.

Theodore had to get through to this crazy man in less than ten minutes. It seemed impossible. But he had to do it for Abigail.

He held his hand towards Nicholas with one more look in her direction, praying that this wouldn’t end badly.

“Why are you doing this?” Theodore demanded. “Haven’t you caused her enough pain?”

Nicholas laughed—the kind of laugh you would’ve heard from a psychopath. Then again, he was one.

“I didn’t want to hurt Abigail,” he said. “I love her. Don’t you know I love you, Abi?” he asked, turning to Abigail briefly. If looks could kill, Abigail’s glare would’ve sent Nicholas over the rails.

“If you love her,” Theodore swallowed, trying not to make the words burn his tongue too much, “then why are you trying to kill her?”

“It’s your fault!” Nicholas screamed! “I fought to leave prison! I fought for her because I wanted her to understand that I loved her and that what I did for my father was wrong. But when I got to know her, I fell in love with her. And… and I know I hurt her.” Nicholas’s voice broke as if he had any compassion at all.

Theodore tried not to grab a piece of iron from the ground and haul it to Nicholas’s head. He was pretty sure he wouldn’t miss.

“I had it all planned out, and then you came into her life!” He pointed an accusing finger at Theodore. “You took her from me and turned her against me! A restraining order? Really?”

“You narcissistic psychopath! Abigail would’ve never gone back to you. You almost killed her, you fucking monster!”

“Liar! I would’ve gotten through to her if you hadn’t come into the picture. I had everyone where I wanted them. Even her obnoxious best friend I could’ve dealt with. But you?”

At that moment, Theodore noticed that Nicholas wasn’t trying to kill Abigail to hurt her. Instead, Nicholas wanted to kill her to hurt him.

“She fell in love with you, and three months ago, it was all okay when you two broke up.”

The shock on Theodore’s face must’ve been evident.

“Surprised?” Nicholas asked with a sadistic smirk. “I have eyes around the city. I knew when she was around you and when she wasn’t. I had been waiting for three months! Just to give her enough time to get over you. I had it all planned.” His teeth gritted as his eyes grew darker—if it was even possible. “And then you came back.”

“So you’re going to kill her because you hate me? Kill me then!”

Abigail screamed against the duct tape, shaking her head rapidly at Theodore’s words. More tears escaped her eyes, but Theodore kept his gaze locked on Nicholas.

“You hate me, right? You want to hurt me in the worst way possible. But what good will that do by killing her then killing yourself? You won’t even live to see me suffer.”

Nicholas’s face fell at that as if he didn’t consider that part.

Theodore gulped, hoping the cops would stay away just a little longer. He could hear the sirens in the distance, but Nicholas didn’t seem to notice.

“If you kill me instead, you will know that I can never have her.”

“But she’d never forgive me,” Nicholas whispered, staring at Abigail longingly. “I might seem crazy, but I’m not blind. She loves you, so she’d never forgive me. At least this way, I can die with the satisfaction of knowing that she’ll never be with you again—that you will never have her again.”

“No,” Theodore whispered, seeing no possible escape now. He knew running for them would be stupid, but he couldn’t just do nothing either. And the minute the police arrive, it’ll be game over for Abigail. The thought caused his eyes to burn with tears.

He fell to his knees; they went weak as his heart felt like it had been ripped from his chest.

Nicholas, for one, enjoyed the sight, and he beamed at Theodore.

“So the mighty have fallen,” Nicholas laughed, turning to Abigail. “Look, Abigail, is this the man you love? So weak and pathetic?” Abigail stared at Theodore, her heartbreaking at the entire situation.

But then she realised that she could turn her head completely towards Theodore without much pressure on her neck, and Abigail noticed that Nicholas’s grip on her loosened after Theodore fell to his knees. Abigail wasted no time. She swerved towards Nicholas and drove her knees upwards, knocking him square in his groyne.

With a blaring wail, Nicholas’s hand fell from Abigail and gripped his crotch. Abigail sprinted from him, jumping into Theodore’s arms as he stood to meet her halfway. He quickly untied the wire from her hands and pulled the tape from her mouth before grabbing her in his arms, his heart soaring in relief and gratitude.

Theodore couldn’t remember the last time he had been so scared in his life, to the point where he couldn’t even stand. Abigail sobbed in his chest, gripping him as if he’d disappear any minute.

“It’s okay, baby. I’ve got you. You’re safe now,” Theodore mumbled in her hair. But if he was honest, he needed to say it for himself too. He wanted to ensure he wasn’t just daydreaming or imagining that she was there with him. “I’ve got you.”

Theodore allowed himself to relax as he held her, and he knew without a doubt that he could never live without this woman. The very thought of her death was enough to bring him to his knees. There was no way he’d make another day come when they weren’t together.

As he opened his eyes to look at her, he spotted Nicholas climbing the rails as the sirens paused downstairs.

“Shit,” Theodore mumbled, catching Abigail’s attention. Her eyes widened when she realised what Nicholas was trying to do, but she would have no part in it.

“Don’t you dare!” she shouted, stepping away from Theodore, but Theodore closed the distance between their bodies, not wanting her an inch away from him.

Nicholas paused and gazed behind him, and Abigail pointed a stern finger at him after wiping her eyes.

“Don’t you even think about it!” she growled. “You don’t deserve to end this easily. You don’t get to win.”

Nicholas laughed, but it was void of humour as his eyes reflected nothing but defeat. “I hardly see how this is winning. I lost the woman I love. I might as well lose my life too.”

Abigail scoffed. “You have no idea, don’t you?” she asked, not bothering to wipe away another fallen tear. “For two years, I’ve been scurrying around the streets of New York, terrified of every man in existence—terrified of you! You BROKE me, Nicholas. You almost murdered me, raped me, and destroyed my entire soul. And now, you want to just end it like that? Like you did nothing to me?”

Nicholas’s mouth opened, but nothing came out.

“You hated that you weren’t the only man to affect my life, so you tried to take me from Theodore. But guess what? If it wasn’t for him, then I wouldn’t have healed. I wouldn’t have seen the world differently, and I’d still be that scared, broken girl you created two years ago. But I won’t let you kill yourself.” Again, she stepped from Theodore’s arms toward Nicholas.

Nicholas observed her, thinking she’d push him over the rails herself.

“You will rot in jail for the rest of your miserable, sorry life, knowing that you broke me, knowing that you killed the Abigail you met years ago. But you’re going to also remember that I am now happy without you. That I healed without you, and this man right here is my entire world. Not you! You no longer control me, Nicholas. You no longer have any power over me because you are nothing but a pathetic, crazy, nauseating daddy’s boy. And that is what you’ll remember for the rest of your life. And when you finally reach the point of death, you won’t have the luxury of knowing that you had an effect on my life because I’ll be happy, I’ll be at peace, and my mind will be free of you. So no, you won’t win today. You will lose, and you will wake up every day remembering this. And best of all? You. Will. Suffer.”

Theodore believed she was inching too close to Nicholas again, so he held onto her hand, pulling her back. But then the doors burst open, and five cops rushed through, armoured from head to toe with guns raised. Theodore told them that Nicholas might’ve been armed, so they came prepared. But when they saw the traumatised man curled against the ground, leaning against the rails, they stood in slight confusion.

However, they moved to his arrest at Theodore’s request, and just like that, Nicholas left their life—forever.

Abigail and Theodore followed the cops to their cars, ensuring that Nicholas didn’t escape. But he didn’t even seem like he wanted to escape. He simply sat, staring into nothingness.

“Don’t worry, he’s not going anywhere anytime soon,” an officer said, pulling Abigail’s attention from Nicholas. “Attempted murder, violating a restraining order, and only God knows whatever else he’s done. He’s going away for a long time.”

“Thank you,” Theodore said with a curt nod, wrapping his arm around Abigail as Nicholas’s head turned slightly at his voice.

“He should be put in a psych ward,” Abigail mumbled, not caring if the officer heard.

As the cops left, Theodore brought Abigail upstairs and ran her a bath. They had insisted that Theodore and Abigail come to the station to give a statement. Still, Theodore strongly expressed that the lady would like a minute to relax before dealing with the police business. Theodore didn’t leave any room for argument. He only wanted what was best for Abigail.

Abigail hadn’t said a word since she came upstairs.

He knew she must’ve been shaken up. Hell, he was shaken, and he wasn’t the one being hovered over a twenty-floor building. As promised, he called Najay as soon as Abigail was settled in the bath, filling her in quickly. Najay insisted that she’d leave work to go see Abigail. Theodore knew better than to try and argue with her, so he joined Abigail as soon as the call ended, wanting to cherish the alone time they’d have together before Najay came.

He sat on the edge of the bath, but Abigail didn’t turn her head. She simply stared ahead. Theodore sighed.

“I guess it’d be stupid for me to ask if you’re okay,” he said, relief flooding his heart when he saw the hint of a smile on her face.

She met his gaze for the first time since they left the roof, and Theodore cupped her cheek in his palm, caressing it with his thumb. Abigail leaned into his touch with a sigh, reaching her wet palm to his knee.

“I’m so sorry,” she mumbled with quivering lips.

Theodore shook his head. “You did nothing wrong, Abigail. I’m the one who’s sorry. If I hadn’t stayed in my office so long—”

“I saw him,” Abigail mumbled, cutting him off. “This morning, when we arrived, I saw him. It was only for a second, and I was tired, so I didn’t think about it too much.”

“Shh, baby, it’s okay. It’s over now. The good thing is that you’re safe.”

She nodded. “Come sit with me.”

Though Theodore knew Najay was on her way, he didn’t protest. Without a word, he stripped from his clothes and joined Abigail in the bath. She adjusted so he could sit behind her, where she snuggled into his chest.

He kissed her shoulder and cupped her breasts in his palms. And for the first time since they had been together, Abigail saw a future where they wouldn’t have to worry about anything.

“I’m also sorry about keeping the miscarriage from you. I—”

“Abigail,” Theodore whispered against her ear, “don’t apologise. Just be mine from today onward. Be mine forever.”

Abigail nodded, and she told herself she wouldn’t shed another tear.

“I didn’t realise how much I feared losing you until I hung from that roof today. I didn’t notice just how lucky I was to have you. And I don’t want to waste another day in whatever the hell we were doing for three months straight. I need you, Theodore, and I’m sorry it took almost dying to see that.”

Theodore kissed her shoulder again before turning her, so she was straddling him. She ran her wet hands through his messy hair, staring intently into his eyes.

“So, marry me,” he whispered. Abigail stiffened.

“What?”

“Marry me, Abigail. I love you with everything in me and—”

“Yes, Theodore,” she said, unable to contain her smile. “Yes, I’ll marry you. I’ll be with you today and every day until I die.”

Theodore winced, though a smile lingered on his face. “Please, no more talks of you dying. My heart can’t take it.”

Abigail couldn’t help herself. Though it might’ve been too soon, she laughed at his terrified expression.

“But do you mean it? You’ll marry me?” Theodore asked, seeming as if he wanted to be sure.

Abigail brought her lips to his with a gentle smile, answering his question with a single kiss. Theodore’s arms tightened around her waist as she deepened the kiss. This, he thought, was the definition of peace and happiness. Being with the woman he loved, knowing that she’ll be his forever—this was nothing short of paradise.

“Did I mention that I love you?” Theodore said in the second when they pulled away.

Abigail giggled. “Yes, you have. And I love you too. I love you so much.”

“Now, that is something I can never get used to hearing.”

“We’ll have an entire marriage to see if that’s true,” Abigail teased, grinding herself against him.

Theodore groaned, nipping her bottom lip as he stared at her through his eyelashes.

“Abigail, you’ll be the death of me.”

“I thought we weren’t mentioning death anymore,” Abigail said with a teasing smile.

Theodore shook his head, not even answering as he devoured her lips again, knowing that he’d have this moment today, tomorrow and forever.

Yep. Definitely paradise.

The END.

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That’s a wrap guys!

Yep, it’s finally over and yet again I wanna cry, and I can’t explain the journey but I’ll miss Abigail and Theodore so much (mostly Theodore).

Thank you sooooooo much and I hope you enjoyed this book as much as I did <3 Thank you, and I hope to see you again soon!

So, until next time!

-Anna