Chapter 70

Vera's POV

I knew he was waiting for me to talk, but I wasn’t ready. I should’ve waited for him to help me like he promised. But I panicked and I made everything worse.

Leaving the hospital and falling into Ken’s trap messed up everything. Now Ken used me to destroy all the progress Jackson made. He could’ve had a witness take Ken down in court. Malone would be with me now even if he hates me.

I lost again. Made another bad decision. I’m a burden to him. And the truth is, he didn’t push me on purpose. He wanted to help me. He was ready.

I laid my head on his chest, curling up next to him. He wanted to hold me, touch me, play with my hair, but he didn’t. He was holding back, unsure of what I wanted.

I closed my eyes and focused on the sounds around us. The whooshing wind. The waves, crashing softly nearby. His heartbeat steady beneath my cheek. The quiet of the night.

I could stay like that forever. And I think he felt the same unt