“Are you okay? You look upset.”
I suck in a breath. “I’ve changed my mind. I want to do the IVF with you and Magdalene.”
His head jerks back. “What? Why?”
I bite my lip. “I’ll do it. Just have your lawyers get me the papers to sign. I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”
He crosses his arms over his chest, frowning at me. “Are you okay, Allie?”
“No,” I whisper, choking on the words. “I’m not okay.”
“Little pet,” he says, dropping to his knees and pulling me into his arms.
I allow it, letting him hold me for a moment before I push him away.
“I need to go.” I shake my head, turning to leave. “Just have the lawyers call me.”
“Allie,” he growls, pulling me back around.
I meet his dark gaze and then lift my chin. “Don’t follow me.”
He frowns, his hands tightening on my hips.
“Promise me,” I say, looking into his eyes.
“I promise,” he says. “But I’m going to find out what’s happening.”
“Just have them call me,” I repeat, pulling away from him. He doesn’t try to stop me this time, and I run down the steps and to my car.
I drive to the lawyer’s office and sign the papers without looking at a single word.
I don’t care about anything anymore. I just want out of this toxic situation. I want a new life where I’m loved and cared for. Where I’m not someone’s fun little plaything.
I want to forget Giorgio altogether.
I pull into my driveway, already regretting my decision.
But it’s done now. There’s no going back.
I start to open the car door but then freeze when I see a figure standing in the shadows.
My heart flips in my chest as Giorgio steps into the light, his face twisted with anger.
“I said I’d find out what was happening,” he snarls.
I slowly stand, my heart pounding. “You promised to leave me alone.”
He shakes his head, his eyes flashing with anger. “I said I would, but then I got the papers. Why are you doing this, Allie? Is this your way of hurting me?”
I laugh, the sound bitter. “You know I can’t hurt you. You’ve always been able to hurt me so much worse.”
His face softens, his eyes filling with warmth. “No, that’s not true. I care about you, Allie.”
“You don’t know what it means to care for someone,” I cry.
He runs forward and grabs my arm, pulling me into his body. “I care for you, Allie,” he repeats.
I yank away from him, putting distance between us. “Stop lying to me, Giorgio. Just leave me alone.”
“I can’t,” he growls.
“Why? Because she won’t let you? Because you feel obligated to stay with her?”
“No,” he snaps, his hand dropping to his side. “Because I promised myself I’d never hurt you again. And that’s exactly what I’ve done. I hurt you by considering her stupid idea.”
I let out a laugh, stepping around him to the door. “Then don’t do it,” I say over my shoulder.
“Do you really want me to do it?” he growls behind me.
I pause on my porch steps. “No,” I whisper, “I don’t.”
He steps forward and takes my hand, his voice dropping to a low whisper. “Will you stay with me?” he asks.
I turn to look up at him, his dark eyes pleading with me. “No, I can't .”
“Why?”
I let out a long breath. “Because you’ll hurt me again. Because I can’t keep doing this with you.”
His eyes widen in understanding, and he drops my hand. “Is there someone else?”
“Yes,” I lie, not wanting to admit that I’d been willing to give her what she wants. To do this stupid favor for her, all because she’d made me feel so worthless.
I see the pain in his eyes and my heart flips, my chest aching.
He steps closer to me, wrapping his hand around my throat. “Can I touch you one last time?” he asks, his voice raw with emotion.
I lick my lips. “No,” I say, trying to pull away from him.
But he holds me there. “Please,” he growls. “I need to touch you again.”
His fingers tighten on my throat, a growl slipping from his lips. “I’m begging you, little pet.” He leans forward and presses his forehead against mine. “I’ll never forgive myself for hurting you, but I want one more taste of you. Let me do that and I’ll let you go.”
I stare up at him, my body trembling with want. His touch is still like a flame against my skin. His lips still feel like heaven.
But I push him away, looking up into his eyes. “No. I don’t want your touch. I never want it again.”
His eyes fill with pain and he leans forward, pressing his lips to my forehead. “Goodbye, little omega,” he whispers, his hot breath sending shivers down my spine.
I nod, trying to swallow down my hurt. I watch as he turns and walks back down the steps.
Then I turn and shut the door behind me, shutting out the last of Giorgio. Shutting out the pain he brought into my life.
But as I hear his car start in the driveway, a new pain blooms in my chest. He’s leaving me again.
I fall to my knees, tears streaming down my cheeks. He’s left me again, just like he always does. My body trembles with sobs as I hold myself, the pain too much to bear.
I hear his car drive away and then everything goes black. I’m lost in my grief, my heart shattered on the floor.
I don’t know how long I lie there, but it feels like an eternity.
Until finally I hear a knock at the door. A hard bang against the wood.