AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Did you think I'd disappear somewhere in the world and leave you here?" I ask drily as I hand her the hot coffee and the chocolate bar, placing mine on a table nearby.
She accepts them, staring at them longingly.
"Yes," she simply states. "I know you, Raf," she whispers with half a smile. "I know you better than you know yourself. And right now? You want to hug me as much as you want to strangle me. You want to take me back home as much as you want to walk away and never look back." She swallows hard, her gaze dipping to the steaming coffee. "I don't blame you for feeling that way."
"If you know me so well, shouldn't you have known how much I detest lies? Shouldn't you have told me the truth before I was forced to find it out from my brother of all people?"
Her lips tighten into a flat line.
"You have no idea how many times I wanted to tell you the truth… It's been a burden living with this knowledge ever since I remembered everything. But at the same time…" she takes a deep breath. "I knew you wouldn't look at me the same."
"Noelle…"
"I wasn't a good person at the hacienda, Raf," she suddenly says, raising her eyes to meet mine. "I was the worst version of myself. I'm not proud of it, but I also can't deny that it's part of me—part of who I am. Because that's exactly what I'm capable of to survive. To be strong. To…" she licks her lips, her expression strikingly vulnerable. "To protect you."
"Protect me?" I ask incredulously. "In case you don't remember, I was aslave.A labor slave at first, and then a lab rat for those fucking drug experiments. At what point did you protect me?"
"From the moment you went up that auction block after Armand died," she suddenly says. "I lied, cheated and killed for you, Raf. I sold my goddamn soul," her breath catches in her throat. "All to keep you safe. I did the best I could…" she trails off, shaking her head as she huddles within herself.
"Tomorrow you're getting discharged," I change the topic. "We're going to Mexico."
"What?"
Her eyes widen as her gaze snaps to me.
"Why?"
"Because I have some business in the capital and after that we're going to go to the hacienda. I want to be there when you tell me everything that happened. Every. Single. Thing."
"As you wish," she nods, surprising me once more.
"That's it? No protest?"
"No," she smiles, shaking her head. "The ball is in your court, Raf. I'm well aware of that. And until you can trust me again, I'm willing to do anything you want me to. Just… don't ask me to leave you alone. That I will never be able to do. You're mine just like I am yours.Onlyyours," she whispers, her expression so damn sad and vulnerable I feel it like a stab in my heart.
Before I can help myself, I'm in front of her, my hand cupping her chin, my thumb stroking her soft skin.
Her big eyes are oriented towards me, her lashes fluttering in confusion. But as soon as I touch her, she melts into me, releasing a heartfelt sigh as she leans closer, nuzzling her face in my hand.
As if burned, I remove my hand, unable to believe I'd have so little control over myself.
"Show me your wrist," I bark, clearing my throat.
Why the hell do I have to be so fucking weak for her?
Why?
She lifts her bandaged wrist, slowly extending it towards me.
"It doesn't hurt," she whispers, answering my silent question.
"It should," I add gravely. "It should hurt you as much as it hurt me seeing you bleed."
Before I can reveal how much of a besotted fool I am, I turn to leave.
"Be ready tomorrow," I tell her in a severe tone, opening the door and losing myself into the night.
Alone, I make my way back to our apartment.
