Page 113 of Between Love & Ruin

“I won’t do it again. I can’t.”

Dominic looks at me for a long moment. Like he’s taking my words in.

For a moment I think this is it.

This is where our story ends.

But then he speaks up, “You’re right.”

“I don’t get to decide what you can handle. I don’t get to decide what you deserve to know. And I definitely don’t get to ask you to trust me while keeping something from you.”

His eyes hold mine.

“I’m sorry.”

The words hit harder than I expected. Not because they’re foreign coming from him. But because they feel too real.

Like he means every word.

“I don’t want you to just say you’re sorry. I want you to understand.”

“I do. And if you tell me you need space, I’ll give it to you.”

My chest tightens. I don’t want that.

“But I need you to know one thing.”

“What?”

“I don’t want a life where I make decisions for you.”

His voice breaks slightly. The weight of what happened in the span of twenty-four hours finally dawning upon him.

“I want a life where you make them with me.”

I take a step towards him, and his eyes finally shine. “I was so hurt.”

“I know.”

“I thought maybe I had finally made the same mistake again. Of trusting the wrong person to the point they exploit their power over me.”

His face softens. “You didn’t make a mistake by trusting me.”

“Then don’t make me regret it.”

“I won’t. I promise.”

I finally look at him completely then.

Oh, how I missed looking at that face.

“You can’t promise that.”

He gives me the smallest smile.

“But I can promise I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to deserve it. You didn’t ruin me, Sienna. You made me who I am today. A kinder man. And I will make sure you never regret choosing me. I don’t care if you ruin me.”

My heart flutters in my chest at his next words.