I'm Leaving You

The palace had never felt so tense but the moment Ross finished announcing her decision, everything went tranquil like an empty cave.

She walked away and Knox followed her immediately. “Ross.” He called with his wolf growling within him. She kept walking. “Ross, stop.”

She finally turned. “What?”

Knox approached her, looking unusually serious. “You're leaving the palace?” He asked with raised brows.

“Yes.”

“You can't.”

Ross stared at him. A bitter smile touched her lips. “Can't?”

“You're the Queen.”

“I know.”

“This is your home.”

Ross laughed softly. “No, Knox.”

She stepped closer. “It was never my home.”

His jaw tightened. “You have a place here.”

“I had a cage here.”

Knox flinched. Ross turned away. Still, he followed her into the empty corridor. “Then tell me where you're going.”

“That isn't your concern.”

“It is.”

“Why?” He stopped. Ross turned to face him. “Why does it suddenly matter where I go?”

Knox found no answer. Because he didn't know how to explain the fear growing inside him. Two days ago, he would have watched her leave without stopping her. Right now, the thought was unbearable. “I don't want you to leave.” He let out.

Ross stared at him. “That's unfortunate.”

“Ross.”

She sighed. “Knox, you made your position very clear for two years.”

“I know.”

“You told me our marriage was political.”

“I was wrong.”

“You told me that if my father weren't useful to you, you would never have married me.”

“I know.”

“You told me I was an embarrassment.”

His expression darkened. “I know.”

“And you allowed your people to treat me like I was nothing.”

Knox lowered his eyes. “I know.”

Ross's voice became quieter. “That woman is gone.”

Knox looked at her and whispered. “I know.”

She swallowed. “I don't want to be your wife anymore.”

The words kept striking him harder than any battlefield blow as his eyes widened. “What?”

“I want a divorce. I want us to reject each other.”

“No.”

Ross blinked. “No?”

“I won't give you one.”

Her expression hardened. “You don't get to decide that.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you refusing?”

“Because I don't want to lose you.”

Ross stared at him. For a moment, neither moved. Then she laughed bitterly. “You're afraid of losing me now?”

“Yes.” The answer came so quickly that she stopped breathing for a second. Seeing her pause, Knox used the opportunity to move closer. “I know what you're thinking.”

“Do you?”

“No.”

He shook his head. “I don't think I ever understood you.” Ross looked away. “But I'm trying now.”

She folded her arms. “Trying isn't enough.”

“I know.”

“You can't undo two years.”

“I know.”

“You can't make me forget how alone I felt.”

“I don't want you to forget.”

Ross looked at him again. “Then what do you want?”

Knox took a slow breath. “The truth.”

“Which is?”

“I don't want a political alliance anymore.”

Ross frowned. “What?”

“I don't care about your father's influence.”

“You spent two years telling me that was the reason you married me.”

“It was.”

He paused. “But it isn't anymore.”

Ross searched his face. “Then why?”

Knox stepped closer. “I want you.”

Silence.

Ross stared at him not believing his words. Wasn't it the same person who said he never wanted her. “You want me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because you're Ross.”

“That isn't an answer.”

“Because you're stronger than anyone I've ever known.” He took another step. “Because you never used your power against me, even when I deserved it.” Another step. “Because you survived everything I put you through.” Ross's eyes began to shine. “Because you still managed to laugh after I gave you so many reasons not to.” She looked away. Knox's voice softened. “And because somewhere between hating the woman I thought you were and discovering the woman you actually are…” He swallowed. “I fell for you.”

Ross's heart betrayed her with one painful beat. She bit her lower lip. Oh, how she hated that those words affected her. How she hated that some part of her had once dreamed of hearing them. But at this point, she couldn't trust them. Or maybe not yet.

“You don't love me.”

Knox looked at her. “I do.”

“You're saying that because I'm powerful now.”

“No.”

“You're saying it because you're afraid I'll leave.”

“Yes.” She frowned while Knox held her gaze. “I am afraid you'll leave.”

At least he was honest. “But fear isn't love.”

“I know.”

Ross turned toward the window. “I don't believe you.”

Knox stood behind her. “You don't have to.”

She looked over her shoulder. “What?”

“You don't have to believe me today.” He stepped closer. “You don't even have to forgive me.” Ross stared at him. “But I will prove it.”

“How?”

“However long it takes.”

She shook her head. “You think you can fix this with a few romantic gestures?”

“No.”

Knox's expression hardened with determination written all over him. “I think I have to earn every piece of trust I destroyed.” Ross said nothing. “I'll prove that I want you… not your title, not your bloodline, not your father's alliance.” He held her gaze. “Just you.”

Ross's heart trembled and she quickly hid it by looking away. “You'll get tired.” She mumbled.

“Then I'll keep going.”

“You'll fail.”

“Then I'll try again.”

“You might never get me back.”

Knox's voice dropped. “Then I'll spend the rest of my life knowing I lost the woman I should have valued from the beginning.”

Ross looked at him. For the first time, she saw something in Knox's eyes she had never seen before. Fear. She walked past him. “I still want the divorce.”

Knox watched her leave. “I know." She stopped at the doorway.nHe continued. "But I'm not giving up.”

Ross glanced back. “Why?”

Knox's eyes never left hers. “Because this time, Ross…” He paused. “I want to be the man you choose.”

She stared at him for a long moment. Then she walked away leaving him alone in the corridor.

He had once believed commanding Ross would be easy. Now, he just couldn't. If he wanted another chance, he would have to earn it. And he… he had never fought a battle as difficult as the one he had just chosen.

He would prove it.