Chapter 4– Tears and answers.

Sam’s POV

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"Excuse me?"

I stared at him, my eyes widening slightly.

He simply stared back.

A small, humorless laugh escaped me as I rubbed my temples and slowly nodded.

"I think I misheard you—"

"You heard right, Sam."

He leaned forward slightly.

"I."

A pause.

"Want."

Another.

"You."

I stared at him in horror.

He sat back, resting his clasped hands on the table.

I scratched the back of my head, searching desperately for something to say.

Nothing came.

I opened my mouth.

Closed it.

Then did it all over again.

"I don't understand."

The words came out barely above a breath.

He picked up another grape, rolling it lazily between his fingers.

"The dinners."

He looked at me.

"The invitations."

Another pause.

"Andrea."

He popped the grape into his mouth.

"All because of you."

He swallowed.

"Because I want you."

I stared at him.

His words replayed over and over inside my head.

The dinners.

The invitations.

His mansion.

Every conversation.

Every smile.

Every handshake.

Every single interaction flashed through my mind as I desperately tried to connect the pieces.

Nothing made sense.

He casually picked up his fork and cut into a piece of steak before placing it into his mouth.

He chewed slowly.

Normally.

As though confessing an obsession with me was the most ordinary conversation in the world.

"It's not that complicated, Sam."

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

"I wanted you."

He leaned back into his chair again.

"So Andrea could no longer be part of the picture."

My heart pounded so hard I was sure people outside the restaurant could hear it.

"She had to be gone."

His eyes stayed fixed on mine.

"That's how this works."

A beat of silence passed.

"Besides..."

He tilted his head.

"I wanted to know what you saw in her."

He paused.

"I wasn't impressed."

My breathing had become uneven.

He reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a cigarette, lazily twirling it between his fingers.

With a single glance, he signaled one of the waiters.

The waiter hurried over immediately and lit it for him.

After giving a respectful bow, he quietly disappeared.

Nicholas inhaled deeply before leaning his head back and exhaling smoke toward the ceiling.

My fists clenched.

But this time...

It wasn't anger.

It was something I hated admitting even to myself.

Dread.

"What the hell happened last night?"

My voice was quiet.

He slowly blew another cloud of smoke before looking back at me.

A dark smile spread across his face.

"The beginning."

I stood so abruptly my chair nearly toppled over.

My heart slammed against my ribs as I caught it before it could hit the floor.

"I don't know whatever sick game you and Andrea are playing..."

My breathing grew heavier.

"But I'm not going to be part of it."

I pointed at him.

"So both of you better leave me the hell alone."

My voice echoed through the restaurant.

"You already have her!"

I shook my head.

"So be with her..."

My throat tightened.

"And leave me the fuck out of it."

Without waiting for another word, I turned and walked away.

I ignored the curious looks from the waiters.

Ignored the smile that had lingered on Nicholas' face.

Ignored the strange glint in his eyes.

The moment I stepped outside, the cool night breeze hit my face.

I let out a shaky breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.

Fresh air.

Finally.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

But somehow...

His words found their way back into my head.

He was insane.

That had to be the only explanation.

And I'd rather believe that...

Than believe anything he'd just told me.

This was over.

Him.

Andrea.

Everything.

All in the past.

And I was going to keep it there.

•

I showed the Uber driver my payment confirmation.

He nodded.

"So long, boss."

I thanked him before climbing out of the car.

One hand rubbed through my hair before dragging down my face as I walked toward my front door.

"Sam."

I froze.

My breath caught in my throat.

Slowly...

I turned around.

Andrea stood several feet away, hugging her sweater tightly around herself.

Those familiar blue eyes met mine.

My chest tightened.

We simply stared at each other.

"Sam..."

Her voice trembled.

"I'm... I'm so sorry."

"It's over."

My own voice sounded strangely empty.

"You know it is."

She nodded quickly, wiping away a tear.

"I know."

Another tear slipped down her cheek.

"I know you'd never take me back."

She swallowed.

"I just..."

Her voice cracked.

"Could you ever forgive me?"

I tucked my hands into my pockets and looked down at my shoes.

A few shaky breaths escaped me.

"Why?"

The question barely left my lips.

"Why, Andrea?"

She stayed silent.

Another tear rolled down her face before she looked away.

"I don't know."

I let out a bitter scoff.

"Tell me why."

My voice was louder now.

She flinched slightly.

Looking back at me, she nervously chewed her bottom lip.

She always did that whenever she struggled to find the right words.

"You and I..."

She swallowed.

Then slowly shook her head.

"No..."

She tried again.

"You have such a long way to go, Sam."

Her eyes filled with tears.

"I'm three years older than you. ..I'm already done with college."

She swallowed.

"You haven't even started law school yet, I make more money than you……My life is already coming together while you're still trying to figure yours out."

She looked away.

"It was doomed from the beginning."

Her voice cracked.

"We just..."

Another tear fell.

"We don't match."

She wiped at her face.

"And I can't keep lying to myself that we do."

My throat burned.

Tears stung my eyes.

I bit my lip hard enough to stop myself from crying.

This was already humiliating enough.

I gave her a stiff nod.

"I hope you have a nice life, Andrea."

I forced the words out.

"I hope he treats you well."

I turned toward the door.

"Sam!"

I ignored her.

My pace quickened.

"Sam, wait!"

I unlocked the door as fast as I could, slipped inside, and slammed it shut behind me.

The moment my back hit the door...

I broke.

My legs gave out beneath me.

I slid onto the floor as sob after sob tore from my chest.

And this time...

It wasn't because she'd cheated on me.

It wasn't because she chose another man.

Or because Nicholas' words refused to leave my head.

It was because...

Once again...

Not having enough had cost me something I loved.

And here I was.

Once again.

Crying because of it.