Page 138 of Unleashed

“Then what are you doing?” She cut me off, standing now, her hands on her hips. “Because from where I’m sitting, that’s exactly what it looks like. The man is in love with you, Morgan.”

“Lower your voice!” I hissed, glancing toward the hallway.

She crossed her arms. “Lincoln won’t be home for another hour. He’s at a client dinner. I’ve got time.”

“A client dinner? On a Friday?” I shook my head. “Sounds like Slade.”

Her eyes flashed with anger. “Don’t you dare compare the two. Lincoln’s nothing like Slade.”

“Erika, what is this?” I asked, my voice quieter now, pleading. “Why are you attacking me?”

“Because I’m sick of watching you make bad decisions,” she said, her tone laced with disappointment. “I’ve stood by you, but I can’t keep doing it if you don’t start getting your shit together.”

“That’s not fair!” I snapped, feeling the sting of her words. “You’re just siding with Michael because you’re team Michael.”

Her jaw tightened. “You think this is about Michael? I’m team Morgan. I want what’s best for you.”

“And you think Michael’s best for me?” I threw back at her, incredulous.

“Better than Slade. He won’t turn into a controlling asshole,” she said, folding her arms tighter.

I scoffed. “You don’t know him like I do. Michael has his own demons. He can be cold, distant...”

“He’s fighting for you!” Erika cut in, her voice sharp. “That’s more than Slade ever did.”

I stared at her, chest heaving. “Why are you pushing for Michael all of a sudden?”

She hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line. “I didn’t want to say this, but you need to know. Michael’s thinking about moving to Europe.”

The floor felt like it dropped from beneath me. “What?” My voice cracked. “He can’t. He... he promised to wait.”

Erika's expression softened, but only slightly. “He has waited. But it’s too hard for him to be around you, knowing you’re still tangled up with Slade.”

“But he’s not around me,” I whispered, my throat tightening.

“And that’s the point, Morgan,” Erika said quietly, stepping closer. “He’s trying to protect himself. He’s hurting.”

I shook my head, feeling the weight of the decision pressing down on me like never before. “I can’t...”

Erika's face hardened again. “I never thought I’d say this, but you disappoint me.”

Her words struck like a slap. I stood there, stunned, as she turned and walked down the hall toward her bedroom. The sting of unshed tears burned behind my eyes.

Erika had always been my fiercest supporter, but now... now I had to face the truth. I was hurting the people I cared about, and I was running out of time. Both Slade and Michael deserved to know where my heart truly lay—if I even knew myself.

But I couldn’t stand there forever. I had to make a choice.

“You told me you were waiting,”Slade’s voice cracked, a rare moment of vulnerability breaking through his usually composed exterior.

I stood in his office, my arms crossed tightly over my chest. “I decided it has to be now. My head’s a mess, Slade. I need this.”

He rose from behind his desk, arms outstretched like he was about to gather me up, but I stepped back, creating distance between us. His expression fell, confusion settling into a deep frown.

“So now I can’t even touch you?” His voice was tight, strained.

“It’s better if you don’t.” I held up a hand, avoiding his gaze. “I need to do this, and I need you to accept it.”

Slade let out a heavy breath, raking a hand through his dark hair. “I accept it, Morgan. But I worry about you. I love you, and that’s not going to change.”

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