Page 10 of Shattered Reign

“Why didn’t you tell me that you were leaving the country?”

“Because I didn’t know what you might do if you knew my plan. I didn’t want to drag you along with me either. Now answer my questions.”

He paused as he studied me carefully. “Because there were things I wanted to say to you. Things I should have said a long time ago.”

The words hung in the air between us, heavy with an emotion I couldn’t quite explain. A range of emotions swirled within me, and I felt as if I was barely hanging on by a thread. I was surprised, confused, and there was a small spark of hope in the pit of my stomach as well.

“What is it?”

His eyes shifted away from me as his leg bounced up and down. I was slightly confused about his reaction because it might have been the first time I’d ever seen him appear to be nervous.

“So, the party that your parents were throwing, which was supposed to turn into your engagement party… What was it? Three days ago, now?”

I nodded in encouragement, even though I wasn’t sure of the timing either.

“There was no way I was going to allow you to become engaged to Tristan Whitmore.”

I didn’t hear that right. I was so shocked by his declaration that it took me a few seconds to find the words to respond.

“But why? What does it have to do with you?” I asked. The spark of hope had begun to bloom, but I needed to hear him say what I thought he was alluding to.

Easton paused before responding. It was as if my question had forced his eyes back to mine and he calmly said, “Because I love you, Bianca.”

7

BIANCA

My heart stopped. I blinked hard, certain I’d misheard what he’s said. His words echoed in my head as if I couldn’t understand what he was saying.

“W—what?” I asked, my voice a mere whisper. I couldn’t hear it over the sound of my heart slamming in my chest.

“Because I love you, Bianca,” he said once more.

This time, I believed him. His eyes held mine, allowing me to see the truth behind them. Even as those three little words completely knocked my world off its axis. If I’d thought what I’d done before leaving Brentson was enough to cause an explosion, Easton had caused his own by arriving here and saying those words.

My mind raced as a whirlwind of emotions filled me again, or hell, maybe they never stopped. I had imagined, hoped, dreamed of hearing those words from him, more so since he’d thrown out that we should get married to save me from having to marry Tristan. But now that he’d said them, they seemed to hang in the air, and that both excited and terrified me.

Love. The word had thrown me for a complete loop. How could a simple term be so complicated? The word made my heart throb with joy, but it also shattered into a billion pieces.

“But why tell me this now?” My voice trembled slightly.

I was proud of myself for getting that question out because my mind was in a state of chaos. I had so many thoughts that were now forcing me to spiral. How did he know anything about Tristan?

“Because I was going to tell you at the party and probably make a spectacle out of both of us. But you weren’t there and something else happened.”

He didn’t know that I knew exactly what had gone down. Because I’d been the catalyst. I guessed it was time for me to come clean as well.

“Are you referring to the news about my father?”

This time, he raised an eyebrow at me as he stared me down. “How did you know about it?”

I sighed heavily and looked at the floor between our feet. This wasn’t how I expected to tell anyone the news, let alone Easton.

“Well, it made national news and… I was the reason why it happened.”

A heavy silence fell between us. I could sense the confusion from Easton as he tried to make sense of what I had just said. It was my turn now to explain whether I wanted to or not.

“What happened?” he asked softly, easing my nerves enough for me to tell my story.

---