Page 654 of Filthy Elites

“Nothing. I’m fine. It’s late. I just want to go home. If you drop me back at the hospital, I can drive myself home.”

“How about I drive you home and get someone to pick up your car?” I want to find out what the hell happened.

She looks hesitant at first, then nods, agreeing.

“Okay.”

I turn on the engine and drive out slowly, keeping my gaze trained on her until I have to focus on the road ahead.

It was something I said. I just can’t work out if she’s mad at me or if it’s something else.

I say a lot of things to piss her off, but she’s never reacted like this.

Maybe it was what I actually said—about being mine.

It crossed the line and spoiled something.

We get to her place nearly an hour later after driving in silence. This is the first time that I’d be driving through the gates, which open when she signals to the guards.

I drive down the long driveway and park up in front of her house. I’m about to get out and open the door for her, but she gets out and mutters a mere thanks.

Deciding I’m not going to leave this alone; I get out of the car and rush after her, grabbing her arm.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I search her eyes and notice how dull they look, like she’s about to cry. “What did I say to piss you off?”

“Nothing.”

“Stop lying to me.” I frown, gritting my teeth. I run over what I said back at the park, and the thought that she might not want to be mine enrages me, which is crazy because in ten days’ time, we’ll be over. That, however, doesn’t register in my brain. “What the fuck is wrong with me wanting you to be mine?”

“Nothing. Just stop it.”

“No. Something is clearly wrong. I told you you’re mine, and I don’t want you thinking of anyone else.” The way she’s acting makes me wonder if she’s hung up on some fucker from L.A. “I don’t want you thinking of anyone else when you’re with me. Are you? Is that what the problem is?”

“No, Chad, not everything is about you. Maybe Idowant to forget everyone before you, but I can’t.”

Tears stream down her cheeks, and the look of pain in her eyes tells me everything I need to know about what’s wrong with her.

At first, I push the thought out of my mind because I don’t want to believe something bad could have happened to her, but it did.

This girl has been the star of my fantasies and obsession nearly as much as she’s been the thorn in my side, so I know what her eyes are telling me.

I know what her heart and soul are telling me as she bares it to me.

This isn’t about some guy she’s hung up on and can’t forget. It’s about someone who hurt her deeply. Someone who attacked her and destroyed her.

Someone who raped her.

The answer hits me like a punch to my gut, and that word in my mind makes me feel like hulking out and ripping reality apart.

For the first time in my life, I feel like a self-centered asshole who did think everything was about him.

It wasn’t.

I’m so numb with rage that I release her arm when she wrenches it free of my grasp.

“Billie—”

“Just leave me alone.” Her voice is barely audible through her tears.

---