I pulled her into my lap and showed her just how much I loved her, our bodies shaking with pleasure as we waited for our other appointments.
Once we dried ourselves off, it was time for her hair appointment. I decided to get a professional shave, which ran us both into our facials. We held hands through the facials, then ventured off to get a seaweed body wrap that came with an all-over full-body exfoliation treatment.
Once we were done with our full spa day, it was already time for dinner. We made our way to the room to get ready, still encountering people congratulating us. Abby was excited to run into Doris and Bernie again, and I had to admit I was anxious to see them, too. Now that we had the details for our vow renewal and a hotel room for them to stay in, all I had to do was convince them to fly out for it.
And as we entered the dining hall and went to go take our seats, the two of them greeted us at our table with open arms.
Chapter 22
Abby
The cruise ship landed back in Los Angeles and I was actually happy to be home. Colin wanted me to go back to his place immediately, but I told him there were a few things I did need to pack up at mine. Reluctantly, he agreed to drop me off at my place, but I reassured him I would start moving my things back into his place starting tomorrow.
By the time our vow renewal ceremony came around that weekend, my goal was to be moved and unpacked in my new home.
But, when we pulled up to my apartment complex there was a swarm of paparazzi. My stomach dropped to my toes as the cameras began to flash. Colin held me close to him as I tried to keep my footing stable, but a microphone was shoved in my face the minute we stepped out.
“How does it feel to be labeled a gold digger, Mrs. Murphy?”
My head shot up at the question before I grabbed the newspaper from his hand. Sure enough, there was a picture of Colin and I enjoying our time on the boat, only the headline wasn’t as nice as the picture. Instead, the article painted me as a woman who married Colin only to get his money.
I felt the world fall back behind me as the newspaper fluttered to the ground. I dashed to the entrance of my apartment, leaving behind Colin’s yells for me to wait. I pushed through the crowd, shoving people to the side as I went tearing through the front doors.
Someone held the elevator for me as I collapsed to my knees crying.
How the hell was this going to work? They were already painting me to be a terrible human being. All I did was marry the man I loved, and somehow they found a way to turn it into this horrible, disgusting event. I felt my breath shallowing out as the elevator doors opened, and I scurried from the floor before the other person could touch me. I knew I looked crazy and I’m sure something would appear on the internet about it later, but I didn’t care.
All I wanted to go was get back to the safety of my apartment.
“M-M-Mom?”
“Abby? What’s wrong? Did something happen with the boat? Have you guys docked yet?”
“They—they hate me again,” I said.
“Who hates you?” my mother asked.
“Them. All—all of them. They—they think I’m a gold digger, Mom.”
“Who does, sweetheart?”
“The newspapers. The press. The tabloids. They’re all—running this stupid story about how I— how I married Colin for his money!”
“Sweetheart, I love you. You know I do. So, with all the love in the world, I’m going to give you the one piece of advice that is going to save your marriage with Colin time and time again.”
“Okay,” I said, sniffling.
“Grow up.”
“What?” I asked.
“Grow up. Abby, this was the life you signed up for. You knew of Colin’s fame and wealth when you met him. You knew the cameras and the attention that followed him. And I raised you to be smarter than this. You’ve allowed Derek to break you down into a weak-minded woman, and I won’t coddle you any longer. You can either get broken up about the things they say and be miserable half the time, or you can take it all with a grain of salt and remember that you are a good person. That you married Colin for the right reasons, despite whatever hogwash story someone wants to print to sell papers.”
Sitting on my couch, I wiped away my tears. I knew my mother was right. And not only that, but I’d run away from Colin again. The one thing I told him I was done doing. Less than a week into our marriage, I was already breaking my vows to him.
Then, a knock came at my door.
“I gotta go, Mom.”
“Keep your chin up. Find your strength again. No man is going to give it to you, just like no man should ever take it from you.”
“Thanks,” I said.
Hanging up the phone, I opened the door and found Colin standing there. He immediately embraced me, pulling me close to him as he rocked us side to side. I threw my arms around him and held him close, sniffling into his neck.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“No, I’m sorry. If it makes you feel better, we can sue the magazine for libel. We have a strong case, witnesses like Doris and Bernie, as well as the captain of the ship—”
“That’s not necessary,” I said, as I looked into his eyes. “You have nothing to be
