Twin Deception(36)

“Go, Christine. I’ll stay with the kids,” Sadi said quickly. “I’ll try and call someone to come watch them so I can go to the hospital if I need to.”

To Sadi’s surprise, Christine shook her head. “You go. I’ll watch the kids. I’ll call the hospital to see if they know anything. Phone and let me know that everything’s all right. I’ll see if I can find a sitter. I know a couple people.”

Sadi’s mouth fell open. She knew what a sacrifice Christine was making for her. She somehow sensed that if something had happened to Connor, if Sadi didn’t get there in time and tell him she loved him, she was going to live her entire life in regret.

“Thank you,” Sadi said. She quickly hugged Christine then grabbed her car keys and ran. She sprinted to the car, and peeled out of the driveway, tires squealing. She thought she would get pulled over for driving like a madwoman all the way to Pearson and Pearson, but she didn’t.

She parked beside Pearson and Pearson. This time there was no panic. There were emergency vehicles, an ambulance and a fire truck on the scene, but nothing like last time. Sadi was relieved to see that the situation seemed to be under control. The media was there like last time, but this time they seemed to be calmly getting the story.

Sadi walked up to one of the officers who was sorting everything out. She told him who she was, just like she had to that officer years before. This time, she was escorted inside the building. There, inside, were the two brothers, standing side by side, answering questions.

Sadi took a step back. She pulled out her phone and texted Christine that Luke and Connor were both fine. They still hadn’t seen her yet. She couldn’t tell them apart. God, was she stupid? Even after all these years she still couldn’t tell which man was her husband.

Then, as if drawn to her presence by a force that only years of shared intimacy could create, one of the men looked Sadi’s way. When he saw her, his eyes lit up.

Sadi knew then which man was her husband. She just had to look into his face, look into those stormy eyes and she could see the love reflected back at her, even after everything that had happened, that had been said.

“Connor,” Sadi whispered. She took a step forward and so did he. Then he was running. He gathered her up in his arms and surprised her by kissing her on the mouth.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I should have called you. It was just a small electrical fire in the basement of the building, but there was a lot of smoke and we made the news. I should have known you would worry, but both Luke and I have been dealing with this and trying to evacuate the building and make sure everyone was safe and then answer all these questions…”

Sadi stared hard at Connor. This man who was her husband. This man who she had loved for years. He had lied to her and tricked her. He had been the wrong brother. None of what Connor had done changed the fact that Sadi loved him and that she would for the rest of her life.

“I’m sorry Connor… I love you,” Sadi whispered. “You can’t imagine how much I love you.”

Connor nodded. “I know, Sadi. I know. I’m sorry as well. All that time I saw Luke treat you unfairly… I was so angry that he wasted it with you. That he threw you away. And I almost made the same mistake. I’m sorry that I left you, Sadi. I’m sorry that it took me all this time to forgive you. I knew you were sorry. I knew you wanted me to come home. I’m sorry I was so stubborn. You will never know how deeply sorry I am for how I treated you or those things that I said about you.”

Sadi took a step back when Connor rolled up one of his shirt sleeves. She had no idea what he was doing. She was shocked to see her name tattooed onto his forearm.

“Sadi… I gave you every reason not to trust me. I’m sorry that I couldn’t give you the time you needed or the patience you needed to work things out. I’m sorry that I tricked you twice. It’s no wonder you felt like you couldn’t trust me. Now, I hope that you never have a reason not to trust me again.”

Sadi threw her arms around Connor’s neck and hugged him tightly. “Connor, it’s always been you. Even before I had the sense to know it, I’m glad that you did. I can’t imagine spending my life with anyone but you, loving anyone except you. I know we can get through this, but please, please come home.”

Connor nodded. “Just as soon as I’m done here Sadi. I swear it.”

He gave Sadi a kiss that was deep and passionate and full of unwavering promise. Sadi watched him go back and join his brother. She watched the two of them for a couple minutes more, answering questions, directing people, dealing with police and the press.