Page 141 of My Ruthless Opponent

His arms close around me from behind.

“Where do you think you are going?” He grinds out.

I swallow a lump in my throat. “Away from you.” My hands are restrained in his hold. I can’t move.

He whirls me around to face him before pulling me into his embrace.

Just moments ago, I wanted to hug him. But not like this.

“You can’t leave.”

“Watch me.” I snap, struggling to get away from him.

“You’re injured, dammit!” Raleigh thunders.

“Why do you care?” I cry out.

“You are hurt, Hannah.”

Tears prick my eyes, his care rousing more anger than anything else. “Your rejection hurts more than the shards of glass that sliced me open.”

Raleigh stills, his grip loosening. I push him away and he staggers back, as if in shock at my confession.

“What have I done to deserve this shit? I just spoke the truth last night.” I shake my head. Tears are now streaming down my face.

“This is a sham engagement. We are getting married for a contract. Where is the fucking lie?”

“Hannah…” Raleigh starts but I cut him off.

“It’s so easy, isn’t it?” I step back and my back hits the door. I shake my head in dismay. “So easy to shut me off like I mean nothing to you. You don’t care that your words are driving a knife straight in my chest.”

Raleigh’s mask cracks and he reaches to touch me but I take a step to the side to avoid it.

“We are two selfish people who are playing with people’s emotions.” I let out a humorless laugh. Sniffing, “Karma is a bitch. Because I don’t know when this thing stopped being fake to me. And now you are playing with my emotions.”

Raleigh watches me fall apart. He watches me cry.

This time he doesn’t let me move away and pulls me to him. I fist his shirt and bury my face in his chest.

What a pathetic woman I am. Seeking solace in a man who is responsible for my tears.

Sniffling, I pull away. “I can’t do this.”

“You can’t do what?” He asks quietly.

I drop my eyes to my bare feet. “This.” I motion between us. “It’s taking a toll on me. I am in too deep. I… have feelings for you.”

Instead of feeling light, confessing this makes my heart heavier. “I am ending this enemies-with-benefits relationship. I failed miserably to keep emotions and sex apart. Don’t worry, the plan is still on—”

“You are so clever.”

I lift my head when he says that.

“You think you know everything.” He is glaring at me.

I frown.

He holds his palm up when I open my mouth. “That was quite a monologue. Now it’s my turn.”

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