Chapter 216

Julian

It was easy to pretend that things were back to normal. Especially when I watched Cassie and the boys giggle together but deep down I knew it wasn't.

Things weren't back to normal because nothing in our life together had ever been normal.  Not since the moment we had married each other. We had started badly and it had just gotten worse from there.

Nothing I did or said seemed to make things better. It didn't matter how much I tried. In fact it just seemed to make everything worse.

"Is papa-" from his place on his mothers lap Niall stared at me and I could see the question in his eyes. He wanted to know whether I was going to spend the night. They both did.

"I think papa is just around for our movie night. We shouldn't-"

I cut her off before she could tell the twins that I was leaving. I hadn't been joking when I had said that I wasn't going to live apart any longer. There was only so much of being away from her that I could take.  Cassie might hate me for forcing this on her but that hatred wouldn't last for long. She already loved me, so I knew I could make her forgive me.

All I had to do was prove to her that Megan didn't mean anything to me.

Which might be easier said than done but I wasn't about to fail now.

I had too much to lose.

"I'll be sleeping over tonight. And all the other nights." I said firmly and watched as Cassie winced back.

"You'll be here for breakfast?" Noah asked, lifting his head from his mothers arm, with a hopeful look.

"Every breakfast that I can. I love mummy too much and I can't be without her."

I expected my words to be greeted with smiles. At least from the boys but no one smiled.

"You made mummy cry." Climbing to his feet, Noah gave a little growl. His hands clenched into tiny fists at his sides. He came to stand right in front of me.

"Why did you make mummy cry?" He demanded.

"It's because he loved the blonde lady. The nasty one." Niall said not moving from Cassie's lap. I shot a look at her.

"That's enough boys." She said with a sigh. Lifting Niall to his feet she ruffled his hair. "Go and brush your teeth and I'll be up in a second to tuck you in to bed."

Noah didn't move. "You make mummy cry again." He pointed his finger at me. His little hand shook. "And I'll make you go away."

My eyebrows shot up. Had my youngest son just threatened to kill me? It sure sounded that way. I should have been angry but honestly I was just impressed.

"I won't make mummy cry again." I promised.

"That is enough Noah." Jumping to her feet, she irbawred them away. "You can't speak to your papa that way. He is the king."

"I never want to be king if that's how you act. Not ever. I would rather be a good and kind man than king." Niall muttered.

"Me too." Noah added .

"I'm sorry about their outburst." With a sigh Cassie came to stand in front of me. Not even a metre seperated us and yet it was too far.

Leaning forward I closed my hands around her waist and drew her between my spread legs.

"I'm not." I said tartly. "But I am disappointed you have told them about-"

Her whole body tensed up. "I didn't tell them shit. They are just clever little boys. They told me things about Megan long before I found out about your infidelity."

"Goddess." I groaned. My fingers flexed around her narrow waist. "I don't know how many times i need to tell you this but I have never once slept with Megan."

For a moment Cassies eyes went wide. "Are you telling me you have never."

"I have never. I thought she was the one in the hospital. My mate and then she told me she was pregnant with my baby so I felt obliged to look after her but no I never fucked her."

Cassie swallowed hard, her throat bobbing.

"Then Ian did some digging and we found out it was you in the hospital that day. But by then you'd had that accident and I couldn't tell you what a fool I had been. I wanted to hate Megan , I really did but she helped so much. If it wasn't for her then I would have lost the kingdom and our sons wouldn't  be living in peace. I know it's hard for you to understand but please try."

"I won't understand Julian." The words ripped out of her mouth with a sob. "I will never understand your forgiveness of a woman who tried to kill me and your babies. For all we know she was the reason for my accident."

My eyes flashed. "Now you are reaching Cassie. Megan was in the hospital when it happened. We both were. You need to -" my hands dropped to my side as Cassie leant over me.

"And you are still defending her." She hissed , her mouth just an inch from mine. "Even now you defend her and never me. I wonder why that is?" Cocking her head to the side she studied me. "Except we both know why don't we. You can sit there and lie to my face and tell me you've never touched her."

"I have never betrayed our marriage vows." I growled out.

"But you want her." Cassie closed her eyes. "You want and need her in your life. That's why you can't give her up. That's why you kept going to her even when I was waiting for you at home." Cassie's voice shook with emotion. "I saw you on those videos. I heard what you said Julian."

Pain rippled through me. "Cassie-"

"No." Clamping a hand over my mouth, Cassie silenced me. "You need me to be your wife because of the contract. I get that."

I shook my head. That wasn't it at all.

"So I'll remain your wife. On paper only. We will live together but remain separated. I'll stand by your side so the rumours don't get out of control." Her eye narrowed. "But don't ever get it twisted. It will be a marriage on paper only. You can keep Megan. I don't care anymore. You just don't get to love me at the same time."