“But you know she needs both, Damien.”
“I’m not going to change the way I feel about you. That hatred runs too deep—and you know it’s completely justified. I told her she could marry you, spend her life with you, but I don’t have to be subjected to your company or your presence. Her decision to leave you is entirely her own—I’m not forcing her.”
“But that implies you’ll never come to our wedding.”
“You’ve known her for a few months. How can you—”
“Because I just know.”
He pulled his hands off the desk and slipped them into his pockets. “I’ve made my decision, Heath. She can love whomever she wants. She can do whatever she wants. But I don’t have to change the way I feel about it. If you don’t want her to leave you, I suggest you talk to her—not me.”
“Damien, she needs your approval—”
“And I’m not going to give it. Not now. Not ever.”
“You don’t see how that’s a problem?”
“If it is, it’s because her family is more important to her than you—and that’s how it should be. My feelings toward you are completely valid. Our problems don’t derive from something inconsequential.”
“I never said they weren’t valid. I just hoped you loved your sister more than you hated me—”
“I guess I don’t.” He lowered himself into the chair again. “Get out of my office, Heath. I’ve already wasted enough time on you.”
I stayed rooted to the spot, even though I’d already fired off all my ammunition. I’d already put my heart on the line, let the tears fall down my cheeks, begged for forgiveness. I’d done everything I could—and it didn’t matter.
I had no other choice but to leave.I walked into her apartment and came face-to-face with her.
It was well after midnight, so she would normally be asleep, but she stood at the kitchen island with a glass of wine in her hand. When she looked at me, her eyes still had signs of tears, like she’d cried just a few hours ago.
I couldn’t believe this was happening.
I stopped at the opposite side of the counter, my hands gripping the edge.
She dropped her gaze and looked into her glass.
“I just talked to Damien.”
She lifted her gaze, surprise in her eyes.
“I went to his office. We had words.”
She didn’t ask how it went, like she already knew.
“I told him about the gypsy… I was surprised you didn’t tell him about that.”
She was still quiet, her fingers on the rim of her glass.
“He asked if the gypsy said anything else. Did she?”
She ran her fingers through her hair. “No.”
I was hoping the gypsy had said something else, something that could help us. “Did you tell him about the basement? When I saw you there…”
She pulled the glass closer to her. “No.”
“Why?” I felt like that might give me a chance, because I’d saved her life when I had no obligation at the time.
“Because I know it would kill him…to know what happened to me.”
“But maybe it would give us a chance.”
She looked into my eyes, just as heartbroken as I was. “Nothing is going to change his mind, Heath. You’ve witnessed it with your own eyes now.”
I bowed my head. “I can’t lose you…”
She sighed deeply, like hearing my words caused her heart to break again.
I looked at her again. “He said he never told you to stop being with me. You’re free to be with whomever you want. So, let’s stick to what we agreed on. We’ll be together…and hope his attitude changes in time.”
“He’s not going to change his mind.”
“We can’t give up,” I whispered. “I refuse to give up on you—”
“Stop.” She closed her eyes, her hand going to her face, like she was about to explode into tears. “Please don’t do this to me…”
Those were the same words I’d said to Damien, and it hurt to listen to her beg for the same relief.
“I understand why Damien feels the way he does. I understand why his feelings haven’t changed—because he’s not the one in love with you. You’re just a man to him, and there’s no reason for him to feel differently about you…”
“Making you happy is reason enough to me.”
She dropped her hand, her eyes downcast as she stared at her glass. “I don’t think he’ll ever feel differently. So I don’t want to spend whatever time we have left together and then be crushed when I have to leave. It’s already hard enough right now. Imagine doing this years from now.”
“Maybe we won’t have to because he’ll come around.”
“And if he doesn’t, it’ll be devastating.”
“That’s why we have to take the chance, baby. Come on…”
She still wouldn’t look at me, and then she burst into tears. “No.” She sniffed loudly and took a deep breath, closing her eyes so she would stop crying, stop showing her weakness in front of me. “I know him… I know he’s not going to change.”