Page 123 of Guarded

“No! I asked you who was responsible for driving me that night, and you looked me dead in the eyes and said you didn’t know. This whole time, you’ve been playing me.” S

Something grabs my broken heart and twists it into a thousand pieces. This wasn’t supposed to happen. She can’t leave me.

“I can explain everything.” I reach for her, but she steps back.

“You told me this wouldn’t work with fears and lies.” She swallows the hurt in her throat.

“Ari.”

“No. This should have been over a long time ago. Even if this is all true, if somehow you developed real feelings for me, it will never work. You have been willing to be my lover, to run awayand keep this hidden, but not once did you say you’d fight for me.” She blinks, and the heartache I’ve caused her slides down her cheek.

I wish I had more time to tell her what I felt.

“Preston may be a fuck boy, but at least he’s honest about who he is.” The weight of her words hit me in the most vulnerable spots.

For too long, I lacked the luxury of emotions. Now that I needed to show her that part of me, the one willing to fight for her. I shut down.

I crumple to my knees, searching for the blood I expect to pour out of my chest. I was sure as hell there was a wound the size of Texas in my heart.

She turns and walks away. She doesn’t look back. The same way Tala left me. And I let her go because, in the long run, I know she’ll be better off without me.

Chapter 36

Ariella

ONE MONTH LATER

The ultimate, before I am forced to marry or die (whichever comes first) bucket list.

Fill an entire class up.

Read a book.I had read through an entire Fae series Alma lent me.

Go to the fair and eat a funnel cake.

Go Skinny Dipping.

Kiss a stranger.

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