Page 109 of Beautiful Collide

He’s okay.

And doesn’t need me.

And that’s okay.

Then why does it hurt so badly?

“It wouldn’t be abandoning your brother,” I try to convince myself. “You’ll still be in his life to bug him. He would never let you out of his sight anyway.”

My eyes well with tears.

Why does everything have to be so damn complicated?

I’ve spent so much of my life the past few years trying to repay the debt to Dane. Without that purpose, what will I do? Do I even have hobbies? Likes and dislikes?

Who am I?

Who is Molly Sinclair?

I don’t even know.

“Pathetic.” I shake my head. “You’re pathetic, Molly.”

The faint sound of the door creaking has my heart racing.

I left it partly ajar, but there’s no mistaking that this isn’t a gust of wind. Someone is here, and I’m on the verge of tears.

Real smooth, Molly.

Footsteps echo behind me.

The thing is, I don’t even need to turn around to know it’s him. It’s like my body knows before my brain does. My shoulders stiffen, my heart picks up speed, and a familiar heat blooms low in my chest.

The footsteps aren’t heavy, but they carry a confidence that could only belong tohim. Hudson Wilde moves like he owns every room he walks into, even when he doesn’t. Even when he shouldn’t.

It’s infuriating.

Even if my spidey senses weren’t tingling, the closer he gets, the surer I am, thanks to the scent of his familiar cologne wafting in the air.

“Molly.” His voice carries his usual teasing tone.

I don’t answer.

I keep my eyes trained forward on the wall in front of me.

There’s a small crack in the paint.

I should tell someone to touch that up.

Maybe if I don’t look at him, he’ll go away.

But of course, that won’t happen.

He’s made it his lifelong mission to break down my walls.

The scary part is, he would if I let him.

“You’re avoiding me again,” he says as he steps closer.

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