Page 134 of Sardonic Burn

“No,” I say firmly. “I’m not moving an inch until you forgive me.”

“Then you’ll be kneeling for a long time.”

I shake my head. “I don’t care if it’s an hour or a decade. I will not move until you forgive me.”

“I have no intention of forgiving you, Noelle.”

“You will.” I try to sound confident, but I don’t believe my words. “I will make sure you forgive me. I can’t live without you, Hudson.”

“Oh, so now you can’t live without me?”

“I’m sorry it took me this long.” I pause and raise my head. He’s staring down at me with his jaw clenched and the everlasting anger in his deep-green eyes. “But you’re the only one who matters to me. I don’t care about anything else. I’ll do anything you want if it means you’ll forgive me.”

“Even if I ask you to step down as your father’s heir?”

“Yes.”

His eyes widen slightly, but he returns the stoic expression quickly. “Even if I ask you to be locked in a house forever?”

“Yes.”

“Even if I ask you to stop killing entirely?”

“Yes.”

He pauses and takes a deep breath. The couple of seconds that the silence lasts are the most excruciating I’ve ever felt. I can sense each movement, each deep breath he takes, and each exhale.

“Why?”

I blink. “What?”

“Why would you go that far, Noelle? After all, your life is so much easier without me in it. And since the current situation between our families is good, you shouldn’t worry about me killing you. So, why?”

“Because you’re the person who taught me how to feel, Hudson. I was just an empty shell before you. And somewhere along the road, I stopped hating you. You’re the only one whoever made me feel needed and desired. You were the only one who wasn’t afraid of the darkness inside of me. And you—just… I love you. I love you so much that even the thought of living the rest of my life without you is killing me. I love you so much more than words can ever describe. I love you, Hudson.”

“And what if I tell you it’s not good enough?”

I shake my head.

“I don’t care if it’s tomorrow, or fifty-five years down the road. I’ll earn your forgiveness. There’s not a single person out there that I want by my side except for you. I know that I fucked up, and I’m sorry.” I start fiddling with my fingers on my lap, my eyes on the floor and anxiety slowly returning as the effects of the tequila start to wear off. “I love you so fucking much.”

He puts a finger under my chin as he kneels next to me.

“Look at me while you say it, Noelle. Say it again.”

I smile through the tears because I see the anger slowly lifting.

“I love you, Hudson. I love you so much.”

“I’m not forgiving you.” My heart sinks to my stomach. “Not yet. But as of this moment, your life is mine, Noelle. You’ve been mine for a long time. But starting now, I own your life. Are you scared of that?”

“No,” I whisper. “My life is yours. It’s all yours.”

“Good. You can’t take it back. You can’t leave. I will never let you leave.”

I nod.

Then, his lips fall to mine, and it makes me start crying all over again.

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