Page 54 of Something Borrowed

That’s it.

Although - if I left, my father would ship me off to Europe, and I’d be a prisoner in a far worse situation.

“Fuck.” I say, hearing my voice echo against the high ceilings.

If I’m really honest with myself, then none of this is his fault - but at the same time all if it is his fault.

If I hadn’t met Rufino Vece, I would just be carrying on with my life the way I always have been. Partying with my friends. Having fun. Without a care in the world.

Is that what I want?

The same monotonous thing over and over again. Because that’s what was happening. I was already getting bored with parties. I’d push the limits, craving something more.

Craving him.

Maybe - I got exactly what I asked for.

“Are you going to pace up and down the foyer all day?” He asks, leaning against the wall with his arms folded over his broad chest.

“If you let me go I could pace up and down the mall instead?” I say mockingly.

“Verity - please don’t start.” He sighs heavily.

“Start what? Complaining that I’m not even allowed outside? People need sunshine to survive. It’s a fact. You are murdering me by not letting me go outside and feel the sun on my skin. Vitamin D is a real thing.”

He rolls his eyes.

“Alright, I’m murdering you. I’m the worst person in the world. I get it.”

“Well, that’s the first thing you’ve said since I got here that sounds true.”

“Ugh.” He huffs. “I am so fucking over this. Maybe I will let you go. Is that what you want? To walk out of this door. To go back to your father?”

My stomach twists into the tightest knot and my heart stalls in my rib cage. What if he kicked me out and force me to go home?

Fuck.

The fear running through me becomes ominous and dark.

Then the truth slams into me like a brick wall.

A hundred miles an hour.

I wouldn’t leave even if he let me.

But what if he didn’t give me a choice?

Fuck.

“That’s not the point. This whole mess is your fault.” I snarl, desperate to change the subject.

“My fault?” He says in exasperation. “You walked up to me in the club that night - in case you don’t remember - you kissed me.”

“And you could have left it at that. You didn’t have to invite me home with you afterwards.”

“You didn’t have to come home with me afterwards.” He shouts.

“You didn’t have to make me marry you.” I yell back at him.

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