84

ALAYNA

I sit back in the living room, thinking about how I should tell Cassius. How am I going to explain to him that I can no longer give him an answer? That I’m sorry for making him wait? I’m only going to sound like a total bitch if I do, and I can’t hurt him like that. He’s been through a lot, too.

But when Cassius lifts his head, his expression is both firm and disappointed. “What happened?”

I shrug. It takes me a moment to reply. “I’m sorry.”

He simmers under this breath as his eyes begin to fill with tears, though he’s preventing himself from revealing too much emotion. My knees turn feeble at the sight of him like this. Guilt eats at me for leading him on. Nonetheless, he has every right to know.

My throat burns. “Um... We spoke, and...”

“You still believed in him.” His voice cracks with resentment, sending shivers down my spine. He doesn’t even have to say anything. His expression already says it all.

“Yes.”

“You love him.”

I nod.

“You see, I didn’t even have to ask, but I did