Free Adaline (The Wallflower Series Book 3) by R.J. Fletcher Page B

his brother quizzically, he leaned against the edge of his desk and crossed his arms and legs. “What do you mean? You saw me. I was a royal mess.”
    “No, I mean…surely at some point you thought that you needed to just move on. Even with how much you loved her. So, how did you imagine doing it? How did you try to move on from someone you pictured having a future with?”
    There was a stunned moment of silence between the two brothers before Dmitri was finally able to find his voice once more. Of all things he had expected Dominic to reveal, this was not on his list in any capacity. He had always pictured his brother as being more attuned to his emotions than him. After all, it was Dmitri not too long ago that had come to Dominic for advice about love. He remembered vividly being completely lost and unnerved by the feelings coursing through his heart at even the slightest memory of Sasha or the numbing fear of potentially losing her permanently.
    “Dominic...where do I even begin?” A humorless smile was decorated on his handsome features as he remembered what his life had been like before Sasha had forgiven him. “I was lost. And while in my wildest dreams I imagined being able to go to her, sweep her off her feet, and have her forgive me, there was a very real certainty that would never happen. First, I was just so overcome with anger- at myself- and then…eventually…there was acceptance. I realized more than wanting to be with her, I wanted her to be happy. So, what stage are you at?”
    Dmitri watched his brother’s features contort and was taken aback when their eyes finally met.
    “Anger,” Dominic said simply. “I’m still angry. She lied to me, cheated on me, and then refused to tell me the truth. I had to basically stalk her to find out she had a kid by another man!”
    “Whoa…who?”
    Dominic pressed his lips together. “It’s not my secret to tell. I don’t want to hurt her or anyone she knows.”
    Dmitri nodded his head. “Okay, okay. I can respect that. But, Dom…just based off of what you’ve told me, this isn’t a woman you’d want to be with. I know you- more than before…and you deserve someone who won’t hold secrets and lies. Who knows…maybe she had a reason to keep these things from you. But whatever the case may be, you shouldn’t be with her. And it’ll just take time for you to not feel…” he searched for words.
    “Hurt, betrayed, angry,” Dominic provided carelessly. “I’ve never felt this way before. I’ve never allowed anyone to make me feel this way before.” He snorted in disgust at himself.
    Before Dmitri could think of a response, there was a light knock at the door. Both he and his brother turned to find Sasha smiling at them shyly. “Sorry to interrupt,” she whispered with a guilty expression. There was a thickness in the air that revealed to her the seriousness of their conversation. “But Slade is here.”
    Dominic’s ears perked up at the sound of the man’s name. They hadn’t crossed paths since Dmitri and Sasha’s wedding. And for good reason.
    Dmitri nodded his head. “We’ll be out in a minute,” he supplied.
    Sasha gave a small reassuring smile in Dominic’s direction before retreating behind the door once more. After it clicked behind her, Dmitri returned his attention to his younger brother. “If you want to get some more stuff off of your chest…I’m here. Slade can wait.”
    He shook his head curtly. “Nah, man. It’s cool.” He stood up with a grunt. “I should get going anyways.” As he began to walk in front of his brother, Dmitri’s hand quickly landed on his shoulder to halt his retreat.
    “Dom…I’m serious. And you don’t have to go. Why don’t you stay and have dinner with us? I’m sure Sasha would love to have you around a little more. She misses you, ya know?”
    The mischievous smile Dmitri was so used to seeing on Dominic’s face appeared once more, “Am I stealing your girl’s heart?” The only