OATH

Prompt: Fic Lab (#together) This is an extended version of what got posted in the fic lab.

Date: April 2022


My eyes burned as I stared at the screen in front of me. The numbers were starting to blur together, and combined with the headache pulsing behind my eyes, I knew no matter how much I willed it, I wouldn't finish this project today.

Pulling my glasses off, I pressed my fingertips to my eyes, mindful not to smudge off my makeup.

I slept poorly last night, I silently reminded myself. I didn't sleep, and the bathroom flooded this morning. I'm allowed to be tired.

I took a deep breath and dropped my hands from my eyes, blinking to adjust back to the office lights. I glanced at the clock once my vision cleared. Two-thirty. I still had forty-five minutes until I needed to get to the school, but what the hell. I wasn't getting anything done here.

Making up my mind, I made sure to back up my work before closing my laptop. I packed up my desk, making sure to bring a few files home that I'd look over if the opportunity presented itself.

When I had all my belongings, I stood, making my way around my desk and flipping off the lights. The benefit of running my own one-person business; I made the hours.

I set the alarm before locking up and heading out to my car. The rain had eased some, leaving behind a light mist that wasn't worth pulling out my umbrella.

I hurried to my car, unlocking it once I was within reach. I slid in, immediately locking the doors before I situated myself, pulling my purse and laptop bag off my shoulder and setting them into the passenger's seat. I leaned forward, starting the car and moving immediately to the heating system to warm up the cold interior.

My fingers paused as Frank Sinatra came on the radio.

For a single moment, I let the music rush over me, filling me with a longing so deep, it felt like it was suffocating me.

Then I took a deep breath and changed the music. My eyes flickered up to the street in front of me. My office was small, a tiny presence in a large strip mall that hoasted a range of businesses; dry cleaner, liquor store, dentist, salon, yoga studio, cafe, and my little CPA office. I knew every business owner, every employee here. I even knew the regular customers. I was able to watch it all from my desk in my office.

No one was out now, but I couldn't help the feeling I'd missed something. My eyes scanned down the line, but absolutely nothing was out of order.

I scanned twice more before sighing and focusing back on my car. I made sure the temperature was good and the music was neutral before I turned my attention to backing out of my parking spot.

The rain picked up slightly as I drove toward the high school, and at a red light, I bent over into the passenger's seat to grab my umbrella out of the floor well. I set it on the passenger seat when the light turned green.

My office was only a fifteen-minute drive to the high school, but by the time I got there, the rain was coming down hard.

I parked, moving my computer bag to the back seat and hiding it under an extra coat before I turned and scooped up my purse and umbrella. I cracked my car door, quickly opening the umbrella and climbing out of my car. I locked up, making sure my purse was secure over my shoulder before I headed inside.

As I was walking in, a slight chill ran down the back of my neck, and I paused, turning to look back at the lot. There weren't many other cars yet, and they all looked to be empty.

Frowning, I wondered if I had just forgotten to lock my car. I reached into my purse, pulling my remote key out and locking it once more. The headlights flashed, the car honking once, and I sighed in relief.

I turned forward and continued toward the gymnasium.

The high school was well funded, having benefactors that included some of Washington's wealthiest residents.

This meant that though such amenities were usually only reserved for colleges, this high school hosted an impressive inside track. The field was large enough to house football games and was the location of most high school sporting events through the winter.

I was grateful yet again for the indoor track because as soon as I hit the doors, the sky opened up. I slipped inside before I could get soaked, turning back to look through the glass doors at the deluge coming down outside.

I was glad I'd left early.

Shaking out my umbrella, I started making my way through the building toward the interior track. Inside, there was a lot more activity. Kids and parents were settling in, finding seats while students stretched and warmed up down on the field.

I went toward my usual section, sliding into a seat near midfield so I could watch both halves of the game without a problem.

As soon as I settled in, I was about to open my phone to check emails when movement out of the corner of my eye caught my attention. I looked up in surprise as my son headed in my direction.

"Hey. I didn't know you were staying."

Ben shrugged, taking the seat next to mine. "It's a big game for her," he said slowly. "And Tyler and I were going to head out after this to hang out with the guys anyway."

I nodded. I couldn't deny it was a nice surprise to see Ben at his sister's game. He didn't usually come, even though his best friend was one of the student aids on the team. Not quite a coach, but he was an upperclassman who helped mentor the kids. It had been a great program for Tyler, and I knew if Ben had shown any interest in team sports, he probably would have done the same.

"Thanks for driving her," I said, looking over at Ben. He nodded silently. He'd had his license for a little over a year now, and though I tried not to rely on him too much, as a single mom who worked a lot, it was helpful to have him drive his sister around. Ben usually didn't complain too much about it, though I knew sometimes it irritated him.

We sat in silence, both of us on our phones as we waited for Maggie's game to start. Though we weren't talking, it was perhaps the most time I'd spent with Ben in nearly two weeks. He wasn't much for lingering anywhere outside his room these days.

I managed to get through several emails and keep track of a to-do list on a notepad in my purse by the time the game started. When the players filed out onto the field, I turned my phone off, stuffing it in my purse to focus on my daughter. I didn't particularly care for soccer, but Maggie lived for it, so I was going to do everything I could to support her.

I saw her stride out to the center field, her shoulders squared with her confidence as she met the other team captain to shake hands. I shook my head as I watched her. Maggie had gotten some things from me, but so much of her was strictly her father.

The moment the thought brushed my mind, I shooed it away. There wasn't time enough to meltdown over thoughts of him. Right now was about my children.

The porch light was on when I got home, and I was grateful that my kids managed to remember to turn it on before they left this morning.

The game had been a success, Maggie had been an absolute all-star and had even managed to score the game-winning goal. I'd never seen her more excited, and when she'd asked to spend the night with her team, I'd been unable to deny her. It wasn't a school night, and I knew all the parents on the team well enough.

Maggie would be fine.

I pulled up on the driveway, sighing as I glanced at the still broken garage door. The rain had eased up, thankfully, so I parked on the driveway and started to gather my things. I climbed out of the car, shivering as the cool night air hit me.

My heels snapped against the damp brick path as I made my way from the driveway to the front door. I really had to get that garage door fixed. I hated leaving my car out like this.

I shifted my purse to my left arm, transferring my phone to that palm as well as I fiddled with my house keys.

On the stoop, I paused, my body going completely still so that I could listen to the world around me. Nothing was out of place, no noise that shouldn't exist, but I couldn't quite get past this feeling that I'd missed something.

I glanced up at the well-lit street outside our house. Every car was recognizable to me, nothing out of the ordinary.

Trying to shake myself out of my strange mood, I returned my attention to the keys in my palm.

In my hand, my phone buzzed, and I glanced down at the text from my son.

We made it to Tyler's. See you tomorrow.

I let out a breath and unlocked the front door, pushing it shut with my back. I leaned against the door as I typed out my response.

Thanks for letting me know. Have fun. Love you.

Ben didn't respond, but I didn't expect him to. He was seventeen. I considered it a miracle that he kept in touch with me as much as he did, especially with how aloof he was.

I quickly checked my texts to see if Maggie had reached out to me, but there was nothing new from her, so I took a deep breath and stepped away from the door.

A shadow in the living room made me pause, and I looked up my heart racing.

Instinct had me reaching for the top right drawer of the credenza right by the entrance.

I had the gun ripped away from the velcro safety straps and pointed into the dark living room in less than two seconds.

"You've gotten slow."

The moment his voice washed over me, my body flooded with anger, fear, frustration, and unrelenting desire.

"What the fuck are you doing here?"

A single lamp flickered to life, and there he was, sitting in an armchair by the fireplace like he'd been doing it for fucking years.

My home was nice, but my interior design couldn't begin to compete with the elegance of his suit. Perfectly tailored, probably handcrafted by the best seamstresses in the world. Everything about him was controlled perfection, from the tips of his Aubercy Diamond shoes to the neat trim of his hair, expertly cut to keep an otherwise unruly mane in check.

Looking at him was like a punch in the guts, and I had to struggle to keep my breathing steady and normal.

"You look amazing, Bella."

My eyes met his dark emerald gaze, and I felt my resolve harden.

"What are you doing here?" I asked once more. He took a deep breath.

"Would you believe I miss you?"

I paused. I was sure he missed me, probably as much as I missed him, but that didn't change a damn thing.

"Yes," I said slowly. "But I know that's not why you are here."

His lips quirked into that smile that used to make my knees go weak.

"Will you sit?"

He extended one long-fingered hand, motioning to the sofa. The nerve of this man, inviting me to sit in my own home.

Still, I couldn't help my curiosity. I needed to know why he was here, now, after all this time.

I moved across the room, the gun still in my hand. I sank onto the sofa, setting my purse beside me and keeping the gun in easy reach on my lap.

His eyes flickered to the gun before he looked up at me again. "I'm glad to see you are prepared, even if you are a touch too slow."

I didn't bother responding. He was trying to goad me into a conversation, and it wasn't going to work.

My eyes fixed on him again, waiting.

He smiled, looking down at his lap and shaking his head slightly. "How are the children?"

My jaw clicked with my anger and fear.

"They're not here," I said, my voice tense.

"No, I know. Ben is with a friend, Tyler I believe, and Maggie has a celebratory slumber party for her soccer team?" His eyes lifted to meet mine. "She scored the winning goal. Wasn't it something?"

I felt like he'd punched me in the chest. The wind was sucked right out of me at his words, and it took me a minute to find my composure.

"Stop it," I said, tears burning my eyes. "You…" I stopped, biting my tongue. I took a deep breath, and then another. "You don't have the right."

He shook his head. "Of course I do," he said softly. "You ran away with my children. I have every right."

My eyes burned as they met his fiery gaze. "You gave me no other choice."

For a brief moment, I could see a flicker of something, something in his eyes that told me that he regretted what happened between us, that he had any remorse for the choices he'd made in life.

It was gone in a flash, and he turned his head lazily, gazing toward a photo of my kids and me hanging on the wall near him.

"You've always been strong," he said softly, looking at the photo. "Stronger than me."

I swallowed hard. "I did what I had to for my family."

He looked back up at me. "Do you ever regret it?"

It was a loaded question, but as I usually did with him, I answered honestly.

"Yes," I said quietly. I saw something flicker in his eyes again. "But I'd make that same choice every time."

He looked away from me, and I saw his jaw shift slightly.

"You were always the love of my life," he said softly, his voice achingly vulnerable. "The only woman I'll ever love."

I had to suck in a deep breath to stop myself from sobbing. "I wish the way I feel about you was enough to keep us together."

His eyes lifted to mine again, and the hope I saw destroyed me.

"But it doesn't change anything," I continued, needing to hurt us both so that we could move past this. "Our children live healthy, normal lives because of the choices I've made, and I would do that again and again for them."

He let out a long breath. "I've missed that fire in your eyes."

I couldn't let myself stare at him a moment longer. I shifted my gaze to my lap, taking measured breaths.

"Edward, why are you here?"

I caught his flinch as I said his name. I knew it must be unfamiliar to him, I was the only one in the whole world who called him that.

"Something has happened," he said softly, and my gaze met his again. "I have reason to believe you are all in trouble."

My eyes narrowed. "Why would we be? You and I are divorced, and no one even knows your real name. We can't be tied to you in any way."

Edward shifted, and I saw one of his shoulders lift in a small shrug. I leaned forward.

"What did you do?" I knew this man. I knew when he was being honest, and I knew his signs of deceit.

"Technically," he said slowly. "We're still married. I forged the divorce papers."

"What?" I wheezed.

"And now, personal information about me has been leaked. Someone very powerful and very dangerous is out for blood, and he'll start right here."

I understood what he was saying, but I didn't want to. I didn't want to face the reality that my world was about to get tossed upside down, that my children's lives were going to be at risk.

"What the hell are you saying?"

He let out a breath, his shoulders rolling back as his cocky arrogance came back. "I've come to take you and our children home."