Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
A part of me wanted to flee and ignore him, but another part of me wanted to march outside and slap him so hard he flew out of the chair. Instead of taking the high road, I marched out there, my frantic heart rolling around in my chest, and dropped into the chair across from him.
His chin lifted to meet my gaze, but he gave no discernible reaction—like he expected this.
I gave him the chance to speak first, to tell me he’d dropped his phone in the toilet and didn’t have a chance to get a new one, or he was forced to leave the country for a few days and had no reception… Anything.
But he only stared at me, his beautiful eyes hidden behind the dark lenses.
“I—I don’t understand what’s going on.” It was the most I could say when I was this emotional and overwhelmed. “Would you care to explain?”
He dropped his chin again and looked at the table. “Let’s talk about this later.” He spoke in a quiet voice to muffle our conversation even though no one was around.
It was not the assurance I hoped for. “You mean like last night when I texted you and you ignored me? That probably would have been a good time.”
He crossed his arms over his chest.
“What is happening right now?”
“I can’t do this right now—”
“What did I do?” I demanded. “We were happy on Sunday, and now it’s a week later and we aren’t speaking. What could I have possibly done to piss you off like this?”
“You didn’t do anything—”
“Then tell me what’s happening—”
“I’ll come by tonight,” he said firmly. “We’ll talk then. Now go back inside before your father comes out. I’d rather him not see us together.”
My body was racked with trembles and shivers. Despite the heat of the summer day, I’d never felt so cold. I could feel myself shake like I was on the verge of hypothermia. Instead of breaking down into a mixture of tears and screams, I forced myself to leave the table and walk away with my head held high…and my heart shattered in my chest.
I’m on my way.
I was relieved that he’d made good on his word, but I was also terrified by that message. It was so straightforward and simple, with no emotion whatsoever, no attachment. It felt like we were about to have a business meeting.
Instead of taking a seat on the couch as I waited, I paced the room, my arms crossed over my chest, my heart squeezed so tight I felt like I might pass out. The anxiety of the impending moment was almost too much. Almost made me want to leave the apartment altogether.
But then he walked inside, dressed in all black, his sunglasses gone because it was nighttime. He entered the room and looked at anything but me for several seconds. Then he finally straightened his head and locked his gaze with mine.
I felt like I would die right then.
His stare wasn’t what it used to be. There was no light or joy in his gaze. There was only coldness and indifference. He treated me like I was a business associate or someone who had already given him what he wanted, and he had no further use for me.
How could everything change so quickly?
“I don’t understand.” It was all I could bring myself to say.
He closed his eyes and looked away. “Scarlett, it just ran its course—”
“Ran its course?” My arms dropped to my sides in shock. “On Sunday, you were talking about us having kids. Run its course, my fucking ass.” God, I could slap him right now. “What aren’t you telling me, Axel? Because this makes no fucking sense.”
His eyes remained glued to mine, dead on the surface.
“You said you love it when I call you babe.”
He said nothing.
“And now…we’re just done?” I snapped. “What aren’t you telling me?”
His eyes shifted away.
“This isn’t you…”
“Scarlett—”
“Baby.” As I said it, my voice cracked. “That’s what you call me. Not fucking Scarlett.”
He closed his eyes and gave a sigh, like he was desperately annoyed or deeply wounded.
“I don’t want you to call me Scarlett.”
He kept his eyes closed. “I just don’t think this is going to work.”
“Why?”
He opened his eyes. “It’s just not.”
“Why?”
“I don’t want a wife who’s a kingpin. Maybe you think you can be a mother and a ruthless crime lord, but no, you can’t. That’s not what I want in a partner. I told you I’m going to leave the game once I settle down, but you’re too ambitious for that. It’s not going to work.”
“I’m willing to make sacrifices for this relationship, but it’s just too soon to—”
“I’d rather not waste my time.”
“Waste your time?” I asked coldly. “I don’t believe you.”
He looked away.
“You’re lying. This isn’t the man I know.”
He kept his gaze averted.