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He places his hand in mine, squeezing it, and our gazes clash as he leans forward, closer to my ears. “I’m here, Octavius. I’m here.” His voice drops a few octaves. “We’ll punish him this time around. I promise you.”
No, we can’t. I can never tell his father what this monster does to me because then he’ll take Estella away.
And I prefer to live every single day in agony than let the said agony be experienced by my little sister.
It’s unbearable.
In this very moment, I make an oath.
If I survive this…this viciousness that sinks into every cell in my body, I will never get married or father a child.
Never.
Because no one deserves to live with someone like me.
A person permanently cursed by the gods for daring to simply exist, and as such, I bring trouble to anyone who stays close to me.
And also…
When I love, I love for life.
One more vulnerability, though?
It will kill me.
“It has nothing to do with it,” I finally reply, blinking away the memories and refusing to dwell on them much.
Even after meeting Isla, I had no intention of breaking my oath. My darkness is cold and cruel, and it will destroy anyone.
Especially my gray-eyed girl full of hopes and dreams who still believes in goodness.
“If you say so.” Florian pushes off the table. “You’re not twelve anymore, Octavius. You hold all the power now. Think about that.” He walks off, charming all the women with his smiles along the way while a hollow laughter escapes me, startling a few people around me who step away from the barbarian, as they call me.
When it comes to Isla, I’m powerless.
And in this, she’s my greatest vulnerability.
How can I ever allow her to become a weapon in my enemy’s hands?
Losing her…I won’t survive it.
She’ll stay my greatest secret.
No matter how much it pains us both.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“Andromache was considered a perfect wife.
Loyal, loving, and always by her husband’s side.
And how had fate repaid her?
By killing the one she loved and subjecting her to a life of misery.
Love is our greatest weakness.
We cannot do anything but chase it, though.
