Chapter 54

The conviction in his voice, the gentle way he strokes his thumb over mine and pulls me to his chest to lean his nose against my temple, stirs a belief in me deep down that this is a genuine apology for all of it. Alexi does regret the past between us, and I genuinely believe him for the first time, without doubt, question or niggles.

We have hit a crossroads, and I need to choose a path. I long to walk into the light, and maybe my master of darkness will be the one to lead me there. I can either dwell and continue to find fault and put hurdles in his way, or I can take his hand and see where this takes us. I’m so tired of living in the shadows and misery.

“No point dwelling anymore. The past will only drag you backwards.” I deflect the tender moment and push him away gently to give myself breathing space. Hating the route of our conversation and staring at the fire instead. Hating myself for being so conflicted and hot and cold with him, even if I cannot help it. Not kn