Hope's POV

How can he live here ? How big is this apartment ? As big as his bathroom ? Yes I have three rooms in this apartment but that doesn't mean that he will settle here.

Exactly. He will think that this place is too small for him and eventually move out. It's just a matter of 4-5 days. Alright. It's a matter of patience.

"I will arrange your room." I say.

"Okay"

I go to the guest bedroom with a pillow and start arranging his bed and cleaning the room. By the time I come out he is asleep on the bed already. But on the side table is a bottle of whiskey.

He is drunk.

There is no way I will be able to move this big of a man so I simply cover him with covers and remove his shoes. But as I am about to move away his hand clasps my wrist stopping me.

"I am sorry, Hope. I love you. I still do. I just.... along the way, I took you for granted. My family refuses to amend with me. You are all I have left." He says drunkenly. He probably won't remember this tomorrow.

But he is right. I still remember. When he got his first promotion he was so happy. He threw a party. But with his ambitions his ego grew too. He started being rude to everyone. Sometimes even me. He used to tell me that it was for us, but I knew better. His pride grew. He became distant.

He changed. Drastically.

His grip is still on my hand. He doesn't let go. I turn to him and say,

"Why did you change ?"

"I am sorry. Okay. I am. I truely am. I want another shot. Those five years were hell without you. I searched for you everywhere. I found you nowhere. And then you walked right to me. I knew I wasn't letting you go then. Just once more baby, please."

"I... don't know"

With that he pulls me to him and I fall onto him on the couch. I am on him and he covers me too. Then he whispers," go to sleep"

I wake up on a very comfortable bed. And it's breathing. Since when do beds breathe ? Then the events come back to me. I made a mistake. I was sleeping on Stefan with him engulfing me in his arms. I am hardly able to move.

After about some tries I am successful. I rush to the shower and start the bath.

Stefan still loves me. It's clear. And I love him too. More than I love Conner. I don't even love Conner. But I am with him. He is my boyfriend. He was there when I needed someone. He caught me. And I can't betray him like that. This has to stop. I will have to talk about it to Stefan. I can't keep doing this.

And Conner, I will eventually grow to love him. I mean he loves me and he is sweet and one thing I am certain is that that he won't leave me like Stefan did.

I walk out and get dressed.

As if on Que, Stefan wakes up and streches himself. What a sight ! Get a grip ! I have to have a talk with him. I am about to go when the doorbell rings. I open it and in walks Stefan's butler. Mr. Joseph. He was the same when I was with Stefan. My face lights up. I haven't seen the man in years and he walks up and hugs me.

Then he walks in with three bags in his hands. Guess that is Stefan's stuff.

"Mr. Joseph. Thanks for bringing my stuff." Stefan's voice chimes in.

"My pleasure, sir. Now may I take my leave ?" He asks.

Stefan nods and then Mr. Joseph turns to me and says, "Have a good day Mrs. Anderson."

I am about to correct him but he is already out the door. I hesitantly turn to Stefan already knowing what follows. His eyebrows quirk up.

"Just say it, Hope." He says. He knows me well.

"Look, what happened wasn't supposed to happen. I am sorry for kissing you. It's practically cheating on Conner with you. And I am sorry. It won't happen again."

"I am not. I am not sorry for kissing you."

My heart melts but I have to stand my ground.

Stefan's POV.

5 YEARS EARLIER.

"Okay, Mr. Belfort. I will make sure to deliver the supplies on time."

I am in a meeting with Mr. Belfort. If this deal happens then it would be a great boast to my career.

The door opens violently. James walks in followed by my assistant. James is mine and Hope's best friend. Mostly Hope's.

"James I am in a meeting."

James never comes in that way. Unless it is something very serious. And he looks furious and enraged. But it can wait.

He listens to none of it. I get up from my seat and step up but I am stopped by a ouch to my jaw. James punched me. When I try to get up he punches me again.

"What the hell man ?" I ask.

"Hope is on her way to the airport. She already talked to your lawyer. She is filling for a divorce. On your fucking marriage anniversary. The least you could do was buy her a gift. So get your filthy ass moving. Cuz I seriously doubt if she will stop by me. So go and stop her before you loose her forever. "

I don't even stop for my mobile phone and I am already out the door.