Page 17 of Stalked By the Doctor

I stand outside Paul's door, every nerve in my body on fire. This is going to be the hardest thing I've ever done. But I have to stay strong. For Paul.

With a shaking hand, I knock twice. The door swings open immediately, and there he is—disheveled hair, tired eyes, and a smile that brightens my whole world.

"Britney." My name is a caress on his lips. "I've been waiting for you."

He pulls me into his arms, and I breathe him in for the last time. The scent of coffee and cologne that means home.

I cling to him, tears spilling onto his shirt. "Paul, we can't do this anymore."

He goes rigid against me. Pulls back with a frown. "What are you talking about?"

"Your reputation—" I break off with a sob. "I won't be the one to ruin your career. You've worked too hard for too long. You deserve so much more than a secret relationship."

"Britney, stop." His voice hardens. "I don't give a damn about my reputation. I care about you. Only you."

"But you should," I whisper. "You're an amazing doctor. You help people every single day. You can't throw that all away for me."

"I'm not throwing anything away. I wantyou, Britney. Only you." He cups my face, forcing me to meet his eyes. They shine with tears he refuses to shed. "We'll find a way to make this work. We belong together, and nothing is going to change that. Not my job, not the hospital, not anyone."

"Paul, please understand." I cling to his wrists, willing him to hear me. "I'm doing this for your own good. For the sake of your future."

"My future is with you." His voice breaks on the last word, and then he gets a crazed look in his eyes. "Britney, don't do this. Stay with me. We can get through anything as long as we're together. Haven't I taken care of you? I got you an apartment, a safe place to stay. I eliminated your monster."

My brow furrows. "Eliminated my monster?" Then my eyes widen as comprehension dawns on me. I cover my mouth with my hand to stifle my gasp. "Paul, please tell me you didn't do what I think you do."

Paul pulls me painfully close, wrapping his arms tight around me. "I did, Britney. I killed the scumbug who hurt you. I did it for you. To make sure he'll never hurt you again. No one will ever hurt you again. I can't stand that you've been crying all night."

Shock is still roiling through me when I register the last part of what he said. "How do you know I've been crying all night?"

Paul goes silent, but he doesn't release me.

"Paul?" I prompt him by pushing away from him—hard.

"I've been watching you all this time, Britney. I'm sorry. I know it's an invasion of your privacy, but I'm fucking obsessed with you." He spears his fingers through his hair, his eyes manic. "I can't live without you, Britney."

My face colors when I think of Paul watching me all this time when I thought I was alone. I'm still reeling from the knowledge that he murdered my stepdad too. Granted, there's no love lost between me and my stepdad. I'm not sad he's dead.

No, I'm sad that I drove Paul—a good, decent man—to this point. He killed because ofme.

My stepdad was right. I taint everything I touch. I am my mother's daughter.

A good for nothing whore.

With a sob, I turn on my heels and run before Paul can stop me.

The last thing I hear is Paul calling out my name, pleading and heartbroken. I clench my jaw to hold in the sob rising in my throat. If I look back now, I will never have the strength to keep running.

So I keep my gaze forward and my feet moving, despite the ache in my chest so fierce I can barely breathe. Despite the voice in my head screaming that I'm making a mistake.

This is the only way. The only choice I have.

Paul continues to shout for me even as I exit the building and step out into the dim light of dusk. His cries echo in my mind, a desperate refrain I know will haunt me for the rest of my days.

But I harden my heart and keep walking down the lonely street, the taste of his last kiss lingering on my lips. The tears fall unheeded down my cheeks, dripping to the cracked pavement below.

With each step, I say a silent goodbye to the love I know I will never find again. To the man who holds my heart, even in our parting. Becaue despite everything, I don't care that he's a murderer now. I don't care that I turned him into a stalker. Because Paul is the only one I will ever want, now and forever, and he's lost to me.

CHAPTERNINE

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