Page 204 of Maddening Fixation

I met his eyes. “I don’t love you.”

The words came out steady despite the alcohol. “I never will.”

I pushed the empty glass aside. “So bury that fantasy before I decide to walk out of here.”

Frustration flashed across his face.

He let out a slow breath and leaned forward, resting both forearms on the table.

“You’re drunk.”

“I’m fine.”

“No.” He shook his head. “Let me take you home.”

“I don’t trust you.”

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

“And besides...” I blinked, trying to steady my vision. “I’m not done here.”

The room had begun to split into two.

Beyond Egor, couples drifted across the dance floor beneath soft golden lights.

The DJ laughed with someone beside the booth while seamlessly blending one slow song into another.

Everything seemed strangely beautiful...

And impossibly far away.

“Juliet...”

Egor’s voice pulled me back.

I glanced down and found his hand resting over mine.

My fingers stiffened beneath his touch.

For one absurd second, my eyes lingered on the place where a wedding ring should have been.

Romeo had given me one at the altar, but I had tossed it away the moment we returned home.

He had cut his palm at the altar, publicly humiliated me, and sworn that he would hate me. Yet he still expected me to wear his ring.

Hell, I didn’t even know where it was anymore.

“I really hope you can forgive me,” Egor said quietly.

I immediately pulled my hand free.

“Don’t.”

Even speaking suddenly felt exhausting.

My eyelids were growing heavier with every passing second.

“Don’t touch me.”