Page 109 of Ruined

Her voice isn’t spiteful, nor is it hateful. It’s half heart-broken, half hopeful. She’s giving him a chance, and shewantshim to take it.

Wes licks his lips and narrows his eyes at her. His first instinct is to fight—to destroy—and that’s especially true when it comes to Athelia. He loves peeling back every layer of her armor until she’s nothing but a helpless, sobbing, broken mess. But all of that’s been changing since we found out the truth.

“Fine,” he bites out. “You can have your own room, but you’re still sleeping with us.”

“Not with you,” she adds. “Not until I decide to.”

He works his jaw. “Fine. Happy now?”

Athelia shakes her head. “It’s still not enough.”

I disguise my smile with a cough into my elbow.That’s my girl.

Wes blows out an annoyed breath. “What do you want me to do?”

Athelia’s expression turns from cautious to hopeful, but it hardens again in a mere second. “Beg for my forgiveness.”

Wes inhales deeply, and just as I’m beginning to think the idiot isn’t going to do it, he opens his mouth. “Ath—”

“On your knees,” she says, her eyes flashing with the challenge.

Good. She shouldn’t make this easy on him—on any of us.

Wes clenches his jaw, his eyes flashing. But then he smiles and leans in so close that his lips brush the shell of her ear. “You think, my soul,” he whispers, “that I wouldn’t?”

Athelia’s lips part in surprise. I’m sure she was expecting some type of protest, even if it was just a bitter comment.

But no, Wes lowers himself to his knees without another word. As he looks up at her, he takes her hands in his and kisses her knuckles softly.

Athelia blinks rapidly, and her breath catches in her throat. For a split second, I tear my eyes away to glance at Kellan, and he meets my gaze with a surprised smile.

“Athelia,” Wes says, “over the past years, I’ve caused you so much pain. I’ve spread rumors, I’ve fucked with your future, and I’ve destroyed things that were important to you. All for nothing.

“I should’ve protected you, but instead I’m who you needed protection from. I did my best to destroy you, and I let my obsession run wild. This weekend was no exception. We should’ve left you alone. We never should’ve tricked you or tied you to that tree or drugged you or raped you.”

Athelia’s hands tighten around his. She’s watching him cautiously, almost suspiciously, like she’s worried he’s just saying what he needs to say to help her get past this.

“I’m sorry,” he adds quietly. “I’d say I never wanted to hurt you, but that’d be a lie. Ididwant to hurt you.”

“You still do,” she whispers.

“In a different way.” He kisses the back of her hand. “But never like that. Not again. I’m sorry, Athelia. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I’m begging for it anyway. I’ll do this every day for the rest of my life if it means I can have you again.”

He stops, but Athelia is still watching him, like she wants more. When he doesn’t continue, she tilts her head to one side.

“Say it,” she says softly.

“Say what?”

“You know what.”

Wes swallows, closes his eyes, and breathes deeply. When he looks up at her, his eyebrows are furrowed with desperation. “Please,” he says tightly. “Please forgive me, Athelia.”

“If you could take it all back,” she asks quietly, “would you?”

He doesn’t even hesitate. “Yes.”

Silence stretches for a long moment. I’ve never seen Wes be so sincere, but there’s no way Athelia will think it’s enough. Not after all the pain he’s put her through.

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