Chapter 90

Eliana

I walked out of the house, wincing, when a piercing pain crossed my chest. Nicholas was following me outside the house as I wheeled my small suitcase, begging me to at least turn back and look at him. I knew the longer I stayed there, the more his words would stop me from going on with my plan.

"Please don't do this to me, baby," he said, his trembling, weak voice drawing instant tears that blurred my vision.

"I love you, Eliana, so so much that it fucking hurts." The last part came out as a whisper that prompted more tears out of my eyes.

Sniffing again, I whispered, "fix it."

"But you don't have to leave. We'll find a way around this, and even if Gavin leaks the photos, we will have each other." He stood in front of me, blocking my way. I could have sidestepped him, but my feet felt heavy the moment I glanced into his eyes. They reflected a swirl of emotions that glued me to the ground.

"What about my dignity? Do you want it to go down the drain just like that?" Deep down, I