Page 39 of Forbidden Desires

"No! No, no, no, no. You don't get to make these kinds of declarations. You don't get to—" My voice cracks, and I swallow hard, trying to steady it.

I don't know what hurts the worst. Them making big decisions like these without talking to me about it, or knowing that I wasn't important enough two years ago. Why is he willing to uproot his entire life now, but not then?

"You don't get to play with my feelings like this," I bite out. "You don't get to waltz back into my life, make empty promises, and think I'll just fall in line because I like being told I'm a good girl."

"Suzie," Dexter pleads. "That's not what this is."

"I need you to leave," I say, cutting him off.

Both of them freeze, their faces pale with shock.

"What?" Pete's voice is barely above a whisper.

"You heard me." My chest aches, but I force the words out. "Get out. Both of you."

"Suzie—" Dexter tries.

"Go!" I shout, my voice breaking on a sob. Tears blur my vision as I clutch the sheet tighter around me.

They don't argue. Pete's shoulders sag as he climbs out of bed, gathering his clothes in silence. Dexter hesitates, his eyes searching mine for something, but I look away.

When the door finally closes behind them, I collapse back onto the bed, tears streaming down my face.

The silence they leave behind is deafening.

The tears don't stop, no matter how tightly I hug myself, no matter how many deep breaths I take. My chest heaves, each sob tearing through me like a storm I can't contain.

Why the hell did I just do that? Why the fuck am I such a huge mess?

The second they walk out, the silence becomes unbearable. The weight of the empty space where they should be presses down on me, crushing and suffocating.

But it's what I had to do. Right? I need to protect myself. But more importantly, I need to protect my child.

I curl up on my side, the sheet still wrapped around me like a cocoon. My mind is a battlefield of doubt and regret. I told them to leave because I didn't believe they'd stay. My fear chased them away.

Butthey left.They actually left.

The thought pierces my heart, the pain sharp and unforgiving. A small broken laugh escapes me, bitter and hollow. Of course they left. It's exactly what I knew would happen. But it’s just more than I expected—more than I want to admit.

I wipe at my face with trembling hands, trying to steady myself. I can't keep spiraling like this. Not alone. I need someone to pull me out of this funk, and there's only one person who comes to mind.

Fumbling for my phone on the nightstand, I rush to dial Annie's number. The phone rings twice before her cheerful voice answers.

"Suzie! Hey babe. How's your visit with the two hotshots going?"

The sound of her voice is like balm to my raw nerves, and I take a shaky breath.

"Hey," I manage, my voice hoarse. "Are you busy?"

"Not for you," she says instantly, her tone softening. Gone is the previous teasing note to her voice, quickly replaced with nothing but care and love. And worry. "What's going on?"

The floodgates open, and the words tumble out before I can stop them. "They left, Annie. I mean, I chased them out, but they actually did go, and now I don't know what to do."

"Whoa, whoa, slow down," she says, her voice gentle but firm. "What happened?"

I sniffle, wiping at my face again. "I... I freaked out. They told me they were planning to stay, to move here, and I kind of just exploded. It felt too big, too much, and I told them to leave."

"Oh, Suzie." Her voice is full of sympathy, and it makes my chest tighten even more.

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