Page 37 of Trove’s Purpose

Chee

She knew this wasn’t going to work. She knew!

Sure, for a brief moment of insanity, she had allowed herself to think that maybe, perhaps, they might be able to possibly make this work.

She’d forgotten who she was dealing with. She let herself forget who Trove was. Or even convinced herself that he could change.

Of course not. Once a player, always a player.

She just kept seeing all those beautiful, scantily clad ladies. She heard them calling for him in their simpering, needy little voices. It made her sick to her stomach. Worse, it made her hate herself, because they were all so much prettier than her.

And what kind of man whore was such a devoted patron that literal prostitutes were begging him to come see them again? No wonder he didn't care how much money he just spent buying her clothes and food and at the spa. He was used to wasting his money on women.

Which brought up the horrible thought that maybe he thought with all of that he was paying for her as well.

She was going to throw up. She could feel his kiss still on her lips and she desperately tried to wipe it away without success. But that didn't help because she could also feel him on her palm. On her cheek. On her body. Everywhere he had touched.

Like she was a prostitute.

This was the male that was supposed to be her soulmate? This was the person that was meant to complete her? To love her? To be her other half?

It wasn’t only ridiculous, it was insulting. She wasn’t sure what god or deity controlled the cosmos, but this was definitely their idea of a joke.

“Chee, can you at least talk to me?” Trove asked, and the genuine confusion in his voice just spurred her on faster.

She couldn’t be around him another moment. She couldn’t look back and see his sad face. He might even be able to convince her this wasn’t that bad actually. Manipulate her into thinking that things like this were normal.

This wasn’t normal. This wasn’t right. And she wasn’t going to tolerate this!

He was still behind her. She knew he could probably catch up to her easily, but he didn't. He just stayed right on her heels as she navigated her way back to the docks using the signs overhead. That, at least, was easy. If she had to rely on him to get back, she might just say screw it and let herself get lost. Or just not go back at all.

But Hyde’s offer was still too important to ignore, so despite wanting to run away, to leave all this ridiculousness behind, she went back to the Vainglory. And putting in their docking code to unlock the door felt horribly like defeat. She didn't even get the satisfaction of hearing the door slam behind her because Trove continued to follow right after.

Even the diminished gravity of the docking tunnel wasn’t as fun as it had been. She rushed through as fast as she could to get back into the ship. When she got back to her room, she could slam that door on him and get some privacy to break down in peace.

However, she was denied even that. The moment they stepped back into the storage bay, Trove was running around to get in front of her.

“Chee, what…”

But he was brought up short as she stopped, glaring at him. Tears were burning down her cheeks, and she couldn’t stop them from falling.

Seeing them, Trove could only stare, one hand up as if to reach for her, his mouth moving but no sound coming out, tail lashing uneasily behind him.

“Leave me alone,” Chee commanded, glad that her voice, at least, remained stable.

“I don’t… I’m sorry…” He muttered weakly.

“For what?”

“I… don’t know.”

“Exactly. Then, you’re not really sorry, are you?”

“I am! I didn't want to hurt you. I am sorry.” He floundered for a moment. “But I really don’t understand. I told them no.”

“You said maybe later!”

“I was trying to be nice.”