Chapter 187

Nathan's POV

“I just…” She breathes out shakily. “I didn’t want you or Mason to think I’d picked Theo over you. I didn’t want you to think I meant it, or that I didn’t love you too. I was scared you’d leave.”

The words break something in her, and the tears start again, raw, heavy sobs that shake her shoulders as she buries her face into my chest.

“God, baby girl, never,” I whisper, holding her tighter. “Even if I walked in and you were on your knees, worshipping Theo while calling me a bastard, I wouldn’t leave. I know what this is. I know the difference between role and reality.”

I stroke her hair and press a kiss to her forehead. She continues to cry softly against me.

“When Theo says you’re his,” I continue, “when he talks like that, it’s not because he wants to steal you away. It