"Distract the competition." I heard my own voice like it belonged to someone else. Calm. Cold. "Make her think you actually care about her. And while she's falling for you, swoop in and close the deal."
"No." He stepped toward me. I stepped back. "God, no. Aria, what we have—what we had—that was real. Thatisreal. I swear to you."
"Then why didn't you tell me before?"
He stopped.
"Why did I have to find out like this?" My voice cracked. I hated it. Hated that he could see what this was doing to me. "In front of him. Like a fool."
Sebastian's jaw tightened. The muscle jumped beneath his skin.
He didn't answer.
Of course he didn't. Because there was no answer. No explanation that could make this okay. No words that could undo what he'd done.
I thought about this morning. Watching him sleep. Telling myself the hotel would be in good hands. Telling myself I would be okay with losing because I trusted him.
I thought about every kiss. Every touch. Every whispered confession in the dark.
I thought about how easily I'd let my walls down. How quickly I'd handed him the keys to every vulnerable part of me.
And he'd used them. Used me. To win.
The tears were coming. I could feel them building behind my eyes, pressure and heat and the desperate need to break. But not here. Not in front of him. I would not give him that.
"We're done."
The words came out steady. Final.
"Aria—"
"No." I held up my hand. My fingers were trembling. I curled them into a fist. "You showed me exactly who you are. I should have listened the first time."
I turned. Walked toward the door.
"Aria, wait. Please."
My hand found the doorknob. Cool metal against my palm.
"There's nothing left to say."
I opened the door. Stepped through. Closed it behind me.
The hallway stretched ahead, empty and silent. I walked. One foot in front of the other. Past the photographs. Past the carved wooden figures. Past all the history I'd thought I was fighting to protect.
My face was neutral. Composed. My head was high.
I made it to my room. Closed the door. Turned the lock.
Then I slid down to the floor and let the tears come.
They started silent. Just wetness on my cheeks, dripping off my jaw, soaking into my silk blouse. Then the sobs came, wrenching up from somewhere deep, shaking my whole body until I had to press both hands over my mouth to muffle the sound.
I cried until my chest ached. Until my eyes burned. Until there was nothing left.
Then I sat there on the floor, back against the door, and stared at nothing.
It's going to be okay, Aria.
