Page 159 of In Love with a Ruthless Man

A thousand things rushed to her mind—-

Do what you couldn’t do earlier.

Beg. Cry. Scream.

Stop him from leaving.

Tell him you love him.

But when she saw the prince come to his feet, it was the words that weren’t planned at all that fell from her lips.

“You can’t get rid of me that easily.”

The prince stilled.

“D-did you really think I was that much of an idiot?” A tremulous laugh escaped her. “Did you really think I loved you so l-little I wouldn’tknow?” Her voice broke. “When you came here tonight, you didn’t have to tell me anything. I saw it in your eyes—-”

She stared at the prince, willing him to deny it, begging him to tell her she had it all wrong—-

But the prince only stared back at her.

“You’ve decided it was time to leave me,” she choked out.“Didn’t you?”

The prince’s gaze didn’t leave her as he said simply, “Yes.”

Oh God.

“Because it’s become painfully obvious that you’re no longer in love with Bennett.” The prince’s tone was flat. “You were in love with me.” The impenetrable mask on his beautiful face told her what he felt behind the words.

And it was nothing.

He felt nothing.

Nothing.

He knew she loved him, and he—-

And he—-

She forced herself to laugh. “It’s not going to be that easy, p-prince. You won’t be able to push me away that easily. Been there, done that, and since it didn’t work then—-” Her voice started to rise. “Why would you think it would be different now?”

“I already told you,” he said gently.

“And I’m saying I don’t believe you!”Fawn knew she was being hysterical. But she couldn’t stop herself. “You’re pushing me away because of afetish?” A hollow laugh slipped past her lips. “Bullshit.”

The prince’s gaze became veiled.

“You may not l-love menow, but I can make you love me. I can, and you know it—-”

“If that’s what you’d like to believe,” the prince said quietly, “that’s your choice—-”

She charged to him, slapping him so hard her fingers left an imprint on his cheek.“Stop it!”Her voice shook. “Just stop with the b-bullshit,okay?”

Staring at him, Fawn forgot about Grant being in the same room with them, forgot that the door was still open and that the whole world could hear them. She forgot about everything except the need to make him realize shehadto be beside him.

Her fists clenched.

There was nowhere else for her to go.

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