Page 101 of Frozen Flames

“I should’ve. I’m sorry,” he apologizes.

“All good.” He’s my baby brother. The last thing I’m going to do is let Gemma come between us. Suffice to say, she’s already done enough.

“I have to say, though, Harvey, I really think you need space right now. From both women…” I nod, knowing he’s right. “You have to allow yourself to go through the whole mental grieving part of it,” he adds, shaking his head as he sighs. “I’ve been a dick to her.”

“To Claire?”

Henrik nods. “I wanted you and Gem to work out. Mom’s pretty sad too.”

“I know.” I swallow, knowing that my mom was rooting for us to get married. She called me earlier today and couldn’t believe that Gemma cheated. I’d say she was more angry than sad, but whatever floats Henrik’s boat.

It stings—feeling like I disappointed my parents in another way. First the accident, where I wasn’t in a place to help with the family business anymore. Now my relationship failing.

Deep down, it hurts.

Henrik leaves my room eventually, and I finish gaming. Then it dawns on me that Gemma might be gone this week, so I leave my room to go find her.

“Hen’s gone?” I ask her to break the ice.

She nods, clearing her throat. “Yeah.”

Five seconds ago, I was totally fine. Now, her nonchalance is making me angry again. It comes back to the surface almost instantly in her presence.

“So, did you guys divide your tasks? Decide who takes care of me when?” She sighs like she’s sick of my shit, like she’s had enough of having to deal with me, and it angers me even more because it feels as if she can’t wait to get rid of me.

“You’re so scared I’ll put a rope around my neck. You know what, Gemma? You’re notworthit.”

A low blow, but not lower than the blow she delivered with her boss.

She flinches at my words, yet she says nothing.

She has the audacity to blame me for our failed relationship. She takes zero accountability for the fact that she can’t even open up, use her fucking words, andexpressherself for once.

Jesus.

“I will nevereverforgive you for letting another man fuck you.”

Thoughts of Claire and my happy future with her fly out the window of my mind one by one, replaced by furious thoughts about Gemma messing around behind my back.

“So this whole talk about therapy—”

“Oh, that? I thought about therapy, then I realized, what’s the point? They’ll ask me why I wouldn’t touch you, and the answer will always be because I couldn’tget it upwith you.”

I take that fucking dagger that she shoved in my back, and I figuratively shove it into her chest. I can see the moment it makes contact—her lips part, her eyes look like sad puppy eyes. It’s obvious I’ve hurt her.

And yet somehow I still don’t feel better.

I feel even worse about myself.

I hate myself.

I hate this fucking life.

Things between us weren’t supposed to end this way, like my mom said. We were supposed to get married and have kids. We were supposed to ride bikes forever.

Gemma seems completely flabbergasted by my comment, but as always, instead of saying what she truly thinks about it, she gets up to leave the room.

“Don’t youdareleave. I’m not done.” I wheel closer to her.

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