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CHAPTER 10%
The tattoo parlor in Geneva was small and dimly lit, tucked between a coffee shop and a watch repair store. Alexander pushed through the door, the bell chiming softly above his head.
The tattoo artist looked up from his station–a middle–aged man with intricate sleeve tattoos covering both arms.
“We’re closing soon,” he said in accented English.
“I need this done tonight,” Alexander replied, pulling out a folded piece of paper from his wallet. His hands trembled slightly as he unfolded it.
The drawing was delicate, feminine–a small constellation of stars with flowing script beneath it. The paper was yellowed at the edges, worn from being folded and unfolded countless times over five years.
“My wife drew this,” Alexander said quietly. “She gave it to me for our first anniversary. Said if I ever wanted to get a tattoo, this should be
it.”
The artist studied the design carefully. “Beautiful work. Your wife is talented.“}]
“She is.” Alexander’s voice caught slightly. “She was an art student when we first met. She used to draw all the time, little sketches on napkins, in the margins of books. I told her it was impractical, that she needed to focus on more serious things.“}
The artist looked up at him. “And now?”
“Now give anything to see her draw again.” Alexander rolled up his sleeve. “I want it here, over my heart.“}
“That’s a sensitive area. Very painful. You want numbing cream?“}
Alexana nook his head. “I’m in a hurry. No anesthesia.”
“You sure? This design is intricate. It’ll take hours.“>
“I’m sure.”
The artist shrugged and began preparing his equipment. “Your funeral.“}
The first needle touch made Alexander’s jaw clench. The pain was sharp, immediate, but he welcomed it. Each burning line felt like penance for every time he’d dismissed my dreams, every sketch he’d barely glanced at, every “not now, Lauren” when I’d tried to show him something I’d created.
“So what’s the story?” the artist asked as he worked, trying to distract from the pain. “Wife leave you?“}
Alexander winced as the needle traced a particularly delicate star. “I pushed her away. Literally and figuratively.“}
“Ah. The classic asshole husband routine.”
“Something like that.” Alexander’s knuckles were white as he gripped the chair. “I thought I was protecting her, controlling the situation. Really I was just controlling her.“}
The artist paused to wipe away blood. “And now she’s gone.“]
“Switzerland. Then probably somewhere else by now. She’s smart like that.”
“Smart enough to leave you, anyway.“}
Alexander let out a bitter laugh. “Smart enough to plan her escape so perfectly I never saw it coming. Smart enough to time her divorce papers to arrive at my father’s birthday party. Smart enough to make sure everyone knew exactly what kind of man I really am.“}
“Sounds like she gave you what you deserved.”
“She did.” The admission came easier than Alexander expected. “But I’m going to find her. I’m going to make this right.“}
“With a tattoo?“}
“With everything. This is just the beginning.”}
Seven hours later, Alexander stumbled out of the tattoo parlor. His white shirt was soaked with blood and sweat, the fabric sticking to his chest where the fresh tattoo throbbed with every heartbeat.
The constellation of stars was perfect–every line exactly as I had drawn it five years ago. Below it, in my handwriting, were the words: “Love finds a way.“8
I had meant it when I drew it. I had believed in us then.}
Alexander looked at himself in a shop window. He looked like hell–exhausted.
But the tattoo felt right. Like a brand, marking him as mine even if I no longer wanted him.
His phone buzzed. Victoria again.}
[The baby and I are staying at my sister’s. When you come to your senses, you know where to find us.]
He deleted the message without reading the rest.”
Next stop: Cartier.
The sales associate’s eyes widened when Alexander walked in looking like he’d been in a fight. “Sir, are you quite alright?”
“I need your most expensive necklace,” Alexander said without preamble.
*Perhaps you’d like to sit down first, have some water-“}
“The necklace. Now.”
Twenty minutes later, he walked out with a diamond necklace worth more than most people’s houses. The Constellation Collection–fifty carats of flawless diamonds arranged in the pattern of the Andromeda galaxy.
CHAPTER 10.
8:26 PM &
It seemed fitting.
The florist was next. “999 white roses,” he told the startled woman behind the counter.
999? That’s… that’s very specific.”
“One for every day she’s been gone. Plus one for tomorrow, because I’m going to find her.”
The roses filled the back of his rental car, their perfume almost overwhelming in the confined space. Alexander drove through the night, his chest burning, his eyes gritty with exhaustion.
Nearly 48 hours without sleep, he pushed himself across countries, following the trail my credit cards had left. Switzerland to France to finally–England.
A vineyard estate on the outskirts of London. That’s where the investigator said I was staying.
On the highway, he rehearsed his apology over and over. The words he’d practiced a thousand times in his head, refined and perfected during the long drive.
“Lauren, I missed you so much.”
That’s how he would start. Simple, honest, from the heart. Then he’d show her the tattoo, give her the necklace, explain how everything would be different.
“Lauren, I missed you so much. I know I hurt you, but I’m here now. I’m ready to change. Look-” He’d show her the tattoo. “I finally listened. I finally understood.“W
He practiced the words until they felt natural, inevitable. Until he could almost hear my response, could almost see my face softening the way it always did when he apologized.
The vineyard appeared as the sun began to set, golden light streaming across endless rows of grapevines. It was beautiful–the kind of place I would love. Romantic, peaceful, perfect for healing.”
Alexander parked at the bottom of the hill and gathered the roses, the necklace box tucked safely in his jacket pocket. His chest throbbed with every step, but he barely noticed. He was so close now. So close to making everything right.”
He crested the hill and saw the main house–a stone cottage covered in ivy, with French doors leading to a terrace overlooking the vineyards.
And there, bathed in golden sunset light, he finally found me.!]
But the bouquet of 999 roses slipped from his hands and scattered across the ground.”
I stood on the terrace, nestled in the arms of a tall, strikingly handsome man with dark hair and kind eyes. My head was tilted back, laughing at something he’d whispered in my ear. I looked… radiant. Happy in a way Alexander hadn’t seen in years.}
The man’s hands rested gently on my waist, and I wasn’t pulling away.”
Wasn’t shrinking into myself the way I had learned to do with Alexander.”
I looked free.M
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