Page 36 of Broken Hearts

“I need you to stop lying to yourself.”

I frown, confused. “What do you mean?”

He gives me a little smile, but it’s not mocking; if anything, I would almost call it sad.

“You didn’t have to sleep with me to blackmail me. You know my body by heart like I know yours.” He leans forward. “Every mole, every blemish, every curve and dip.”

My breath accelerates; he’s right, though, of course he is. I could have faked it, but… “If I admit it, will you walk away?”

He reaches out, and I flinch before his fingers touch my cheek.

His jaw tightens as his nostrils flare, but he lets his hand fall back on the table. “No. Once you admit it, we can keep moving forward and forget about the past.”

Looking at his beautiful face, I feel the pain all over again. How can I move on knowing the cruelty he’s capable of?

His eyes narrow a little. “What is it you want, Angel? For me to apologize for what I did? Admit that I’ve fucked up?” He sighs. “I’m sorry. I should have listened. Are we good now?”

That’s probably the worst type of apology known to man, but I also know it’s probably not something he has a lot of experience in.

I shake my head. “I have to go.”

“We’re not done talking.”

Feeling the walls around my heart tremble, the resolve to keep him at bay wavers, but memories of pain and betrayal remain strong. I know I can’t give him another chance. I won’t walk that close to the flame again.

“My friends are waiting for me. We have plans tonight,” I say, standing up. My voice is firmer now; the decision made.

He’s visibly frustrated but nods. “Tomorrow. Come to dinner with me tomorrow. Let’s finish this discussion.”

I nod in agreement, knowing it’s a lie. As soon as I leave this place, I’ll be running again. Running from him, from the past, from the temptation of a flame that’s too dangerous to touch.

I’ll go home early, speak to Max, and rebuild my crumbling defenses. Because with Cole, the risk is too great, and I’m not willing to get burned again.

Chapter 15

Eva

The realization strikes me hard and fast, like a punch to the gut. I thought I had fortified my heart with a wall of hatred and contempt for Cole, but now I see the cracks in that defense, and I can't pretend they're not there. Overwhelmed, I run, desperate to avoid falling back into a cycle I've vowed to leave behind.

Restless in the middle of the night, I decide to pack my bags and get into the car, planning to text the girls in the morning about leaving early.

When I arrive home, seeing my dad's car in the driveway brings a comforting sense of normalcy, a stark contrast to the chaos I've just fled.

Parking on the curb, I grab my bag and make my way to the house. As soon as I open the door, I freeze, hearing the sound of feminine laughter coming from the kitchen.

Making my way down the hall, both my father’s laughter and the unknown woman’s resonate, their joy mending a part of my soul that was unknowingly aching.

I walk in, and there, sitting comfortably with a mug of tea in her hands, is Mrs. Harper, my old English teacher. Dad sits across from her, a sheepish smile on his face, his eyes alight in a way I haven’t seen since Mom passed.

The scene before me is like a photograph from another life, one where grief hasn’t yet touched our family. Mrs. Harper always had a kind word. A gentle smile. Seeing her here now, in our living room, with my father, brings a sense of warmth I didn’t realize I was missing.

My father pales when he sees me. “Oh, Eva, I—” He stands, embarrassment clear in his voice. “I didn’t expect you before the weekend.”

I shrug. “I missed home.” I turn a genuine smile toward Mrs. Harper. “I’m happy to see you.”

She stands and pulls me into a hug, which I’m happy enough to return. I saw the happiness on my dad’s face when I walked in, and just for that, I am all for it.

“I assume you’ll go to school soon, but I’ll see you both tonight?”

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