Something is wrong

XANDER'S POV 

I want to end the contract

Something tightened in my chest as I heard it, I felt like the world shifted under my feet.

I didn’t show it, I stood there, with my arms folded, leaning against the fridge like nothing she said could possibly affect me. But inside, it was like something cracked open. 

I nodded slowly, the weight of it settling in my chest. She turned and walked away without another word. I stood there for a long moment, unsure of what I was even thinking, or feeling.

Kaia wanted out, and it made sense, God, it made sense. I had done everything in my power to push her away, and when that hadn’t worked, I took it further. I cheated on her although i knew how she felt when Jax cheated in her. It was punishment for something that wasn’t even her fault. All because I couldn’t bear the guilt that came with wanting her.

Shit, I cursed the moment the front door slammed shut, and ran a hand through my hair. I paced the floor for half a second before bolting after her. I didn’t even care that I was barefoot. I just knew I couldn’t let her walk out thinking none of this mattered to me.

She was already at the gate when I caught up. "Kaia!" She paused, turning halfway. Her expression was blank, unreadable.

"Don’t go."

She looked at me, "Why? So I can come back and walk in on you with someone else again? So I can keep pretending that whatever this is hasn't been killing me every single day?"

"I was stupid," I said, the words tumbling out. "I thought I was doing the right thing, I thought I was protecting you."

She folded her arms. "From what? From feeling loved? From being treated like I matter?" I stepped closer, I was desperate now. "It was a promise, Kaia. One I made to your father."

Her brows furrowed. "What promise?"

I hesitated, then said it. "Before he died, he made me promise not to touch you. Not to fall for you. He asked me to protect you like he would have done, nothing more. He said you needed safety, I said yes, I gave him my word Kai."

I said looking into her eyes, She just stared at me like I’d just said something absurd.

I continued, "And when you told me how you felt about me, I remembered that promise. It hit me like a truck. I didn't know what to do with it. I didn’t want to break my word. But I already had... the second I started seeing you as more than a contract."

She looked away, swallowing hard. "So you decided to break me instead. To make me regret loving you."

"I was wrong, I'm sorry Kai." I moved forward to touch her, but she stepped back. 

"You were a coward," she said, voice trembling. "You should’ve talked to me. Trusted me enough to tell me what was going on."

"I didn’t know how. I thought keeping distance would be easier. But I lost control, and then I used guilt as an excuse."

Kaia's voice was quiet now, but firm. "It’s too late for that."

My chest caved in a little. "Don’t say that. We can fix this. I’ll do anything, Just don’t leave."

She shook her head. "Go ahead and obey my father, I've made my mind up, leave me alone."

With that, she turned and walked out through the gate. The wind caught her hair, the way it always did, and for a stupid second I remembered the first day she moved in. 

I stood there for what felt like hours, the driveway was quiet. The world kept moving, but I didn’t. All I could do was watch the space where she’d been. Replay the look in her eyes when she told me I was too late. Replay the sound of her voice telling me to obey her father. It was the sound of something ending.

I didn’t even realize how much time had passed until my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I pulled it out and answered automatically. "Yeah?"

"Boss," my secretary said, her voice sharp. "We have a problem."

I straightened. "What kind of problem?" 

"You need to get to the office. Now. It’s urgent."

I didn’t respond right away, my hand tightened around the phone. 

I took one last look at the gate, half hoping I’d see her walking back, but she was gone.

I exhaled slowly. "I’m on my way."