Page 118 of Milo

"I will not let you go, Kiara. I will fight fate to keep you with me."

"People can't fight fate, Milo. That's why it's called fate."

"People can’t. I can."

"You're not God."

"No, but I am a man in love.” He kisses my knuckles. "And a man in love is just as powerful as any God."

This is all too much. Too fast. Too soon. Too overwhelming. I'm so tired. So fucking confused.

"I think you should leave.” I bite my lip to stop myself from crying. "I need some time to think. I need?—"

"You do not need to give me an answer right now.” He stands up and runs a hand through his hair. "But soon, tesoro. I need it soon."

"What if I say no?" I peer up at him through damp lashes. "Will you let me leave?"

"You will say yes. I know you will say yes."

"Kiara!" Julia's voice cuts through the charged air. "Can I come in?"

"Yes," I call out, needing this conversation to end. I look at Milo, at his eyes, lips, nose. God, he's perfect. A perfect lie. "I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Good night, tesoro.” Milo sighs, giving his sister a weak smile on his way out.

Julia holds up a bottle of rubbing alcohol and some gauze. She looks down at my feet. "Are you still bleeding?"

"What?" I scan the dried blood on my heels and toes. "Oh, God. I didn't even feel it."

Julia sits on my bed, hiking my foot up on her lap as she administers first aid. "How are you feeling, cara? Are you okay? I—I did not know about Andre, I promise, I would have told you if I did."

"I know," I hum, wincing as she pads the cuts. "Jules?"

"Yes?"

"Milo, he uh—" I bite my lip. "He just asked me to marry him."

Julia freezes. "He what?"

"Yeah."

"Just now? Oh fuck, he is an idiot, truly," Julia grunts. "What was he thinking?"

"He's not very good at timing things, is he? I don't know what to do, Julia. What do I do?"

"That depends, cara. Do you love him?"

Is love enough?

Chapter 31

A Grey Area

I've spent the last twenty-four hours thinking, reasoning, being mindful of what my heart wants, what my brain deems acceptable, and what my gut says is right. The polarizing conclusions from each internal department have left me with barely any functioning cells.

My heart is hurting, it's in pain but it misses Milo. My brain is furious with me, completely disappointed in my inability to leave, to make a damn decision. And my gut instincts are jammed, unable to send a clear signal.

What do I do? What the hell do I do?!

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