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"How did I change things?"
"You made me feel things I've never felt before."
"You didn't feel this was really about Dove?"
"No," Raphael mutters. "It was never reciprocated with her. And through the years, my feelings deteriorated into something malicious and ugly. I wanted to be with her just for the sake of taking her away from Nox. It took meeting you to realize how wrong that was."
“Why? What did I do?”
“It’s simple, sweet Willa. You are so very different.”
"How am I different?"
"In every possible way, trouble." He grins, kissing me on the lips with surprising gentleness. "You're nothing like Dove, and I love that. You're unpredictable. Whip-smart. You take chances, you live on the edge, you're a troublemaker. And you know Daddy loves troublemakers."
I can't help but smile at his words. They make me feel all warm and fuzzy, like he truly cares about me. "What about Elise?"
"That's over," he shakes his head resolutely. "I'll tell her today after I take you back home."
I furrow my brows. "I thought I was staying with you from now on."
His eyes find mine and I see worry in them as he says, "If your parents agree to that, I'd love nothing more. But I don't think they do. Which means I have to take you back. I can't be the reason you're arguing with Dove and Nox, Willa."
"But..." I pout, not liking his answer one bit. "I don't want to go back home."
"Why not?"
"Because." I stubbornly cross my arms.
"Because why? You have to talk to me, trouble. I can't help you if you don't."
"I don't belong there."
"Why are you saying that?"
I shrug, pouting still. "Dove and Nox have their twins. They don't need me. I never fitted in with them."
"Did they tell you that?"
"No," I mutter. "But it's obvious. I'm a plus one to their party of four. I'm not part of the family."
"I think it's not that bad," Raphael says gently, rubbing my shoulder. "It'll be okay, trouble. You have me now, and I'm here to help you with everything."
I scoff. "But Dove and Nox hate you."
"Nothing that can't be changed over time, trouble." He gives me a devilish look. "And I'll do my best to get on their good side, because I'm determined to keep you at my side."
"But..." I chew my bottom lip, already worrying. "You're still going to force me to go back, aren't you?"
"I'm not going to force you, Willa. But I think you should know they need you back there."
"They do not need me." I pull out of his reach when he tries to hold me, pacing the room. All my insecurities are coming out now, demanding for me to destroy something, show Raphael how angry I am about this and how badly I want to stay with him. "I'm not ever going back. I'll sleep on the damn street if I have to."
"You don't have to sleep on the street. But I do want you to go back home and sort things out."
“That is never gonna happen,” I tell him. “I’m not going!”
My voice is dripping with venom. I barely recognize myself like this. In a far-off part of my brain, I realize these are just my abandonment issues out to play yet again. But I can't help myself. My fear of being rejected has never been triggered like this. I'd rather push everyone around me away than admit it, though. If I do, they'll just get rid of me and toss me aside like I'm worthless.
"Willa." Raphael faces me with a determined expression. "I don't want to argue with you. I already called Dove. Nox is back from the police station."
As much as I want to ask whether he's okay, I can't bring myself to say it. Instead, I focus on his other statement, my eyes widening. "You called Dove behind my back?"
"Just to let her know you're safe," Raphael replies calmly. "And that I'd have you home tonight."
"I can't believe you did that." My shaky hands form fists. "I can't believe you called her behind my back. You're just using me, Raphael. You're just doing this so you can get back with Dove."
"What?" He laughs, which only pisses me off more. "That's not true at all, Wills."
"I don't believe you!" I run my trembling fingers through my hair, trying to force myself to relax and failing miserably. "I don't believe a word you're saying. You just want to get rid of me. Just like everyone else."
"Willa, please. I'm not lying to you, why would I?"
He tries to make me see reason, but I'm too far gone to believe him. I've already zeroed in on the worst possible belief – that he doesn't care about me at all.
"You just want me gone," I whisper. "You're just trying to erase me, like I never even existed."
"Where's this coming from?" He looks frustrated. "Why do you think that, Wills? It's not true."
