Page 158 of In Love with a Ruthless Man

“I paid Lou Merrill a million dollars to stay away from you.”

The prince’s voice was perfect in its cadence, perfect in its absence of emotion. Listening to it made her feel faint, and Fawn wondered numbly if heartbreak could be an actual illness.

“I’ve made sure she’s aware of the consequences if she chooses to break her word.”

She heard the words, knew what it meant, but she couldn’t make herself care. All she could do was stare at him.

Why, why, why do you have to do this?

She watched the prince shove his hands deep into his pockets, knew he was going to tell her it was all over.

She started to open her mouth—-

To beg, to demand, to cry—-

But the prince forestalled her. “Don’t do this, Fawn.”

His quiet, sharp command sewed her trembling lips shut.

“You know I could have done this in a more hurtful way, don’t you?” The prince’s tone became quiet, almost weary, and oh, how it magnified her hurt, making it a thousand times worse, making it impossible for her to speak—-

Yes.

Yes, she did know.

She knew this could have been so much worse, knew he could have made it the way he had once told her—-

Pay Lou Merrill a million dollars to fuck her in front of Grant, maybe another million if Fawn was there, too.

She knew he could have made that happen.

She knew.

“But I didn’t.” The prince looked at her, and all she could do was look back at him—-

Oh, prince.

Just because he didn’t make it worse didn’t mean it wouldn’t hurt.

But she locked the words away, knowing if she let one slip, the tears would come with it.

“Because I’m fond of you.”

Ah.

He was fond of her.

Oh, prince.

You have to know I love you, and you—-

Her hands crept up to her mouth, forcing everything back.

“I wish you and Bennett a happy life together.”

Ah.

Her vision wavered, his beautiful face began to multiply, and she found herself numbly wondering if heartbreak could be an actual illness.

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