Chapter 225

Megan glowered at Dorothea, her voice cold.

“I took the liberty to ask the servants to get all your personal items together. Robert assured me he would be so kind as to take you back to your place. Just be assured that Jon will no longer be paying for you rent. Your days of backstabbing the Bongiovis are over.”

Dorothea only sobbed louder. Megan felt a moment’s pity for her but force it to the background. She deserved to be punished….

Meeting Robert’s stare, he nodded and turned on his heel, accompanying Dorothea and their child.

A chair scraped.

“I think we better take our leave to. It’s been fun Sweetheart. I’m just sorry so many people had to get hurt but I’m relieved that the truth won in the end.” John left a soft kiss atop Megan’s head and gathered her for a quick sympathetic hug.

Carol couldn’t bring herself to stare into her daughter- in law’s eyes. Regret and shame rode her bare back and embarrassed tears refused to subside.

Megan accompanied them to the car, there were no words. Everyone’s minds were still replaying the shocking exposure.

Staring worriedly at the direction Jon had staggered to, she sighed and turned back only to find her mother gathering the kids.

“I’m going to take them with us for the night.”

“Thanks mom, daddy.”

She needed some time alone with him, she was concerned that he might erupt in front of the kids and was thankful that her mother had summed up the situation and took her own initiative.

It only took a few minutes to get their overnight bag readyand not too long after that she and Richie were the only ones left.

Dark eyes brimming with tears she begged for an answer.

“What now Rich? What do I do now?”

A big hand squeezed gently.

“Take a walk down there and give him time. He’ll talk if he’s ready. Just be there….thats all he needs right now.”

Richie and his pearls of wisdom always amazed her. He knew Jon’s ins and outs...what to do, say or react whenever the situation called for it.

She made her way slowly towards him. He didn’t notice her or at least didn’t acknowledge it.

Staring at the flowing water, the elements seemed to have picked up on Jon’s mood , mimicking it, she watched as his shirt plastered against his frame. He statuesque figure just stood there..staring, his hands buried deep in his jean pockets, his hair belting against his face.

Shuffling in between his back and the bark of the big old tree, her hands joined his in his pockets. He didn’t make a single move or utter any sound but he didn’t push her away either so she eased into him and decided to stay there, feeling the heat of his body radiating through his shirt, seeping into her rigid muscles.

Turning her face she closed her eyes, settling against his back, hearing the slow heartbeat drumming into her ears.

Their surroundings were so serene, their bodies sapping energy from each other and somehow it felt right....

“Meg....I need some time to think.”

Megan’s eyes flew open, rejection hit her hard in the stomach. She untangled herself from him and swallowed at the tears threatening to overwhelm her. He turned around, the utter despair and lifelessness of his beautiful eyes shocked her to the core.

She nodded and turned but a hand gripped hers and brought her forcefully back into his arms.

“Its not you baby....I just..I need to be by myself for a while...hit the road ya know....”

Sniffing at his warm scent she blinked at the tears but it refused to settle so it spilled into his shirt.

“I understand...take all the time you need as long as you come back to me when this is all over...I’ll be waiting...I love you Jon.”

Lifting her face she sealed his decision with a soft kiss on the lips and stepped away. Not feeling strong enough to meet his eyes, she focused on the river, her heart screamed at her to beg him to stay..her mind told her to set him free..give him time to heal.

Jon gazed at her for a few moments before he turned and walked away....