Chapter 6

“You tried to hurt yourself because of me. And then I almost killed you in desperation to stop you. That night changed everything. You can’t keep lying to yourself when your heart is lying in a hospital bed after you almost lost her.”

His voice is wracked with strained emotion. I never knew a sentence could rip my heart to shreds, but that one does. Choking me with a lump in my throat, so I have to swallow hard and breathe through another sob.

Alexi impulsively reaches one hand towards me, retracts and shoves them both in his pockets as though he assumes it will make him less likely to invade my space. He shuffles on his feet uncomfortably, looking ashen for his typically tanned self, and I start to go numb as my body takes over to shield me from hurt. Tears roll down my face, but all that goes with them dulls. I’m so exhausted.

“If that’s true, then why did you leave me there, alone? Why did you tell me to go and then try to pay me to leave you alone? Why didn’t y