Page 109 of The Heart of a Villain

No matter what path I take, she ends up hurt in it. And the last thing I want to do is bring her more pain because her pain hurts me worse than my own.

My words make him stop, and without turning around, he utters, “Then I guess you’ll have to choose what is stronger. Your guilt and loyalty toward a man who saved you, or your love for his daughter. You can’t have both.” With this, he steps into the elevator and disappears when the double doors close around him, taking him downstairs.

Rafael whistles. “The man is intense.” He points at the envelope. “Are you going?”

Picking up the invitation, I squeeze it hard as a war erupts inside me again, pulling me in different directions that have casualties in both of them.

A true prince would never disturb the princess again. A good man would let her live in the castle until she meets someone worthy of her.

But Villain Rush knows there is not a good-enough man out there for my woman.

She belongs to me.

Everything else be damned.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“Does love have any rules?

Or does it come like a powerful storm you cannot resist?”

Aileen

Aileen

My heels click soundly on the perfectly polished floor of the luxurious building designed for the richest of the rich, located in the center of the city.

The black marble glistens under the bright light of the crystal chandelier, reflecting there and falling on us, showing off the magnificent entrance of Elena’s residence in its full glory.

From leather couches along with small tables full of various drinks and snacks to the wide reception area, where security guards scan the property, ready to take on whoever decides to disturb the peace here, one could mistake it for an expensive hotel. And they would only be half wrong. To buy an apartment here and then pay for all the maintenance costs a fortune.

I huff in exasperation, holding the heavy cake box in my hands and mustering up a smile for the doorman greeting me. “Miss Aileen. Happy to see you again.”

“Hey, Jack.”

He rushes to the private elevators section and presses the button, announcing to me, “Miss Elena is already inside. Should we inform her of your arrival?” While generally they don’t let anyone up until they call the owners or they come downstairs, my best friend preapproved me in advance, giving me easy access for all my visits.

“No.” I shake the box a little and wink at him. “It’s a surprise.”

Or rather, a tradition.

Ever since we became friends, Elena insisted on celebrating our anniversary as if we all promised each other eternal devotion.

While Caroline and I found the idea ridiculous, we still shared her sentiments and indulged in her desire to find any excuse to throw a party.

That’s what friendships are all about, right? Loving each other’s quirks and allowing each other to be our true selves without facing judgment or anyone trying to change us as they see fit.

And lately, I haven’t been a great friend, ignoring all their calls and barely agreeing to see them.

Mom is right, though; life moves us, and I should too. What’s the point in crying over a man who wrecked your world, then ran away like a coward?

The elevator dings loudly, snapping me out of my thoughts, and I step inside while Jack presses on the P button, nodding at me. “Have fun, Miss Aileen. Should I order the cab for you all?”

“No, thank you. My driver is here. Could you please offer him some tea?”

“Will do, miss.” That’s all he manages to say before the elevator closes and moves upward while the smile slips from my lips, and I turn around to study my reflection in the mirror.

A beautiful young woman stares back at me with what seem to be the saddest eyes on this planet, and I wonder how it’s possible to look so normal while your heart is shattered inside you, the scattered pieces floating around and scarring you even more.

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