Page 51 of Knot your Good Girl

I get it.

It took me a while to realize the truth. It’s not me, it’s him.

I spit out, “Who hurt you!”

He lowers his head and fixates on the floor momentarily before raising his hand and flinging my undergarments in my direction. “Get ready.”

I elevate myself, supporting my hands on the mattress as he turns on his heels and moves away. “Where are we going?”

He presses one hand on the door as the other holds onto the handle, but he doesn’t turn and look at me. “I’m taking you home.”

I’m shaking, my composure burning to shreds as he opens the door and walks away. His heavy footsteps echo as he strides purposefully along the tiled floor of the hallway.

After pulling my panties up my legs, I hastily gather the rest of my belongings and sprint towards my bedroom.

As I perch on the bed, I contemplate my options. Leave now and lose the money, or beg him for another chance.

Don’t do this, Holly. It’s not worth it.

I clear the closet of the clothes I brought with me, while leaving the ones he bought me in Atlanta hanging. Then I haul out my worn-out suitcase and begin tossing my garments and undergarments inside, setting aside the oversized cashmere sweater my sister gave me and a pair of leggings.

Tears trickle down my face as I catch a momentary glimpse of myself in the mirror.

Raising the sweater to my nostrils, I shut my eyes and inhale the diminishing aroma.

I’ve never washed it.

I can’t.

Luckily I only wear it when I’m feeling down. Once I’ve dressed in the leggings and sweater, I cleanse my face and pass a brush through my locks and secure them in a high ponytail.

“Don’t you look a fucking mess?” I mutter to myself as I give myself one last glance in the mirror. After returning to the bedroom, I pick up my cell and meticulously search for the Uber application, and book myself a cab.

It will take exactly ten minutes.

With one hand grasping my suitcase, I collapse onto the bed and fix my gaze forward. I could have remained one more day, but it’s too hard. Aiden grapples with inner demons that haunt him, and I have enough of my own difficulties.

I can’t fight his demons for him...and he can’t fight mine.

I considered the notion that he might be my soulmate despite not being a scent match, but it could never be this hard.

Once eight minutes have surpassed, I seize my suitcase and stride down the hallway.

He glances up at me as he works on some paperwork at the dining table.

He must really be making sure I leave, because I know there is an office in this penthouse.

Despite being raised with good manners, I find it difficult to utter even a farewell to him. So I don’t. I maintain my determined pace towards the elevator and press the control panel.

There’s a part of me that thinks he is going to stop me. Beg for me to remain.

But he doesn’t.

And as the doors slide open, I breathe in his lingering scent that envelops the entire apartment for one last time. And as I step into the elevator, I resist the urge to look back.

He’s not mine, and I never want to see him again.

Chapter 17

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