Page 214 of My Ruthless Neighbor

In the end, my brain lost the war.

Tonight, when we reach the chalet, I silently unlock the front door quickly. He sets Goldie down along with my shopping bags.

“Summer—”

“What are you doing, Archer?” I ask as I face him.

When he frowns, I motion to him. “What are you doing?”

“Dropping you off.”

When I let out a frustrated breath, his shoulders sag. “I’m waiting.”

“For what?”

“For a chance to talk. I am ready to tell you everything, Summer.” He steps closer and cups my face. “You deserve to know.”

“Why?” I stare up at him. “Remember what you said when I begged you for answers? You said it was none of my business.”

He flinches. “I was wrong. And I am so fucking sorry.”

I shake my head and push his hand away, tears brimming in my eyes. “You said being with me was a mistake.”

“I wanted to drive you away.”

“Why?” I tremble as I hit his chest. Over and over.

He merely stands there, allowing me to let out my frustration on him. “Why? Tell me why did you push me away? Why did you hurt me so much? Why?”

“Because I love you.”

My movements still. I peer at him through my wet lashes. “You don’t! Take it back! Take it back, right now!” I sob and he wraps his arms around me.

“I love you.” He says and I struggle against him.

“You don’t. Take it back!”

“I do and I won’t.” He tightens his grip, stilling my struggling body. “I’ll keep saying those words until you believe me.” He lifts my chin with two fingers. “I love you. I love you and only you. Being with you was the best decision of my life and hurting you was the absolute worst. And I am here to make everything right. I am here to fight for you. For us.” He stares deep into my eyes. “Because I love you.”

He wipes my tears with his thumbs and nods. “I do. At first, the realization made me hate myself. Because at that time I thought I wasn’t worthy of your love.”

“Because of Amy,” I whisper.

He nods solemnly and something inside me breaks. This woman, I don’t know who she is but it seems like she still holds immense power over him.

And if I gave him a second chance, I’ll have to spend my life competing with this woman. I’ll have to live in a constant state of anxiety where my soul would slowly deteriorate until I am nothing but a shell of a person.

If I ever decide to go back to him, it would be at the cost of my mental peace.

Decision made; I take a step back. Then another. “I love you too, Archer. And I will love you and only you for the rest of my life but I can’t settle for anything lesser than what I deserve. I don’t just want your love, but also your heart and soul. I don’t just want to occupy your house or your life, I want to be the only one who rules your thoughts. I don’t want you thinking about another woman. Or dreaming about her. Because that just means you are not over her. And I deserve better than that. I am not down to share you with another woman. Because thinking about someone else while I sleep in your bed is still cheating. And I won’t tolerate that. I might appear selfish but I think it’s about time I be one because sometimes love is not enough for a relationship.”

I whirl around before I break down in front of him. I am about to step inside when his voice stops me in my track. “Amy is my sister.”

Chapter Forty-Four

Fourteen Years Ago

It felt like someone was pounding my skull with a hammer. The sound of the hits ringing in my ears. I groan, opening my eyes. Someone was banging on the door.

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