“And it wasn’t only Mom who caught him. Caleb and I were also there, and so were Tobias and Tess.” His broad shoulders were rigid. “And not being able to handle the shame, he ended his life.”

Silence.

He stood with his tensed posture. Only his heavy breathing reverberated across the room.

Something clenched in my chest at the pain he wasn’t willing to show. I knew how much it was affecting him.

Padding closer, I wrapped my arms around him from behind. My hands rubbed across his chest slowly, trying to provide some comfort.

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered.

Grabbing my hand, he pulled me in front of him and engulfed me in his arms.

With his arms wrapped around me tightly, he nuzzled my neck. And I hugged him back, running my fingers through his hair softly.

“It was the worst day of my life. That night still haunts my dreams sometimes.” It pained me the way his voice cracked.

I placed a kiss on his shoulder. “I know saying it is easier said than done, but you’ve to let it go, Ace. I know whatever happened would be traumatic for anyone, but you can’t let it affect your whole life this way. Let it go. I know you still can’t accept it. But you have to. Accept it and move on. I can’t see you suffering like this.”

“I’m trying. But the demons of my past pull me back into their darkness whenever I try to move on.”

Moving away slightly, I cupped his face. “Then we’ll fight those demons together.”

“But will you always be there with me?” His features were unreadable.

I brushed my lips against his. “I will,” I promised. “I’ll be always there with you.”

Watching me for a moment, he smashed his lips with mine. The intensity of his kiss told me how he wanted to convey his feelings through the kiss.

Pulling away, he let out a sigh and pulled me into his arms again. “I love you, my Rosebud.”

“I love you too.”

Even though he told me everything, I felt like something was still left out. I didn’t find anything Arthur could use against him. Was Arthur really telling me the truth? Or did Ace not reveal everything?

Whatever it was, I decided not to ask him any more questions for now. He already told me enough. I didn’t want to torment him further.

But the tight grip of his around me, as if I’d disappear somewhere at any moment disturbed me. What was he hiding?

Stirring the pasta in the pan, I put the cake in the refrigerator after getting it out of the oven. Then I went busy with preparing the icing.

A pair of strong arms snaked around my waist from behind. The fragrance of his soap from his fresh shower reached my nostrils. A smile tugged at my lips.