Page 62 of August and the Night

"Layla, we're here," I say gently, pointing out the obvious.

She looks out of the window, her gaze fixed on the house. "I won't be entering," she replies, her tone firm.

My heart sinks, the reality of the situation making my stomach churn. I had hoped that we could talk, that maybe being in a familiar place could help us find some common ground. But it seems that Layla has made up her mind.

I reach out to unbuckle my seatbelt, intending to coax her out of the car gently, but she holds on with a fierce determination. Her hands grasp the edges of the seat, and she meets my gaze with sadness.

"I won't go in there, August," she says, her voice defiant.

I can see the pain in her eyes, the hurt that I have caused reflected in her gaze. I don't want to hurt her any further, don't want to push her to a place she isn't ready for.

Reluctantly, I withdraw my hands from the seatbelt, my fingers curling into fists at my sides. "Okay, Layla," I say, my voice quiet. "I won't force you."

She looks at me, her gaze steady and unwavering. "You know, August," she begins, her voice tinged with a mix of bitterness and resignation, "I don't hate you. But I've realized that I feel completely indifferent towards you." Her words are like a dagger to my heart, killing me slowly.

"You punished me for something I had nothing to do with," she continues, her voice gaining strength. "You judged Lily and tarnished her reputation without even bothering to look beyond her actions to understand her pain. You drove a wedge between us, a rift that may never fully heal."

.

"I've decided to move on from you," she says, her gaze unwavering as she meets my eyes. "I won't wallow in your hate or stay trapped in the pain you've caused. I deserve more than that."

Her final words hit me like a devastating blow, the finality of her decision washing over me. It's not going to happen; I won't allow it.

"Don’t dream that I will give you a second chance, August," she says firmly, her voice carrying a note of resolution. "I'm moving forward, and I hope you find your own path as well. That hate welling up in your heart isn’t healthy."

"Layla, I hear you," I say harshly, my voice carrying the rage I feel at the thought of her with another. "If you need space, I'll give it to you. If it takes a hundred years of groveling for you to forgive me, then that's what I'll do. But do not think that I will hesitate to kill any man you as much as look at during that time. You are mine just like I am yours; I won’t stand by and watch some other man take my place."

Layla looks at me, her eyes blazing with fire. "But you can't dictate my choices, August. You can't control who I talk to or who I'll be with. You have no right."

“Damn if I can’t, little dove." I growl, and if looks could kill, I would be six feet under.

“And you called me a monster?! Do you see the way you are acting, you brute?” She shouts in my face.

I squeeze her hand gently, before I rasp out. "Layla, you're not a monster. You never were; you are as innocent as a white dove. I know I am acting like a brute, but fuck if I care. You bring out dark urges in me that I won’t contain anymore."

“Take me home.” She tells me while avoiding my gaze; my jaw tightens, but I nod. I start the car and make my way to her apartment. She is silent the whole ride, not even looking at me once. My heart burns; it has been burning ever since I hurt her.

Once we reach, she heads to open the door, and before she can, my urges take control of me. I lean in and kiss her roughly, determined to erase the taste of that other man from her tongue. She pushes me away roughly, wiping her mouth, and it is only then I notice a wedding ring on her finger. I am about to pop my fuse.

I roughly remove it from her hand, discarding it before growling out, “The only person that is allowed to put a wedding ring on your finger is me, little dove. Whose is this?”

She clenches her teeth but reluctantly says, “Oliver Davis,”

“Why the fuck is his wedding ring on your finger, Layla?” I growl, and she looks away with anger before shouting, “Because I actually care about the people I love, August. I would do anything to relieve them of their pain. Father married Layla off to Oliver Davis for a reason, and I will take her place… in everything.”

I feel her fear, her need to make it up to her best friend, and I sigh, “Layla, you never have to worry about that ever again. I promise that you never even have to think of Arthur anymore; I promise.”

She scoffs, getting out of the car to go to her apartment before uttering, “We’ve already seen how you handle your promises, August."

I watch as she enters her apartment, the door slamming shut behind her. My heart aches at the truth in her words. I've broken promises before, shattered the trust between us, and now I'm left to grapple with the consequences.

Sitting in my car, I can't help but reflect on the mess I've made of things. The storm of emotions inside me rages on, a tumultuous mix of regret, anger, and a fierce determination to make amends.

Hours pass, and I remain parked outside Layla's apartment building, lost in thought. It's clear that Layla is hurt and angry, and I know I need to find a way to rebuild what we once had. But how do I begin to mend a love that I've damaged so severely?

Finally, I gather my thoughts and start the car. It's time to make amends, even if it means starting from scratch. I have to prove to Layla that I'm willing to change, to be the man she deserves.

The drive back to my house is filled with silence, broken only by the hum of the engine and the weight of my thoughts. I know Layla is right; I can't control her choices. But I can control my own actions, and I'm determined to show her that I can change.

---