Page 66 of Corrupt Me

“Bailey, in here, there’s no room for pity. You won’t get any from me,” he says firmly.

It’s not pity I want from him. Damn him. Damn my feelings.

Tears blur my vision. “I can fight and fight, but you’re never satisfied. I did my best there—I thought you’d be proud.”

His stony features soften. “Fuck. I’m sorry, okay? That’s enough for today.”

“Why are you like this?” I push at his chest. “I knew you’d turn into an asshole. I knew it. What did I do wrong? Tell me.”

A haunted expression slides over his face. “Don’t. Don’t go there.”

I sway on my feet, and with a right hook, I send it straight into his gut. I can’t stop—hitting him everywhere I can. In a violent haze, I need an outlet, only to realize he isn’t defending or attacking me. I take a step back, realizing what I did. I’m about to go to him, apologize, and be mad at him for letting me go this far, but he stretches out his palm and stops me.

The rejection smashes my heart into bloodied, battered pieces under a steel fist.

“We’re done for today.”

He grunts and is about to tear the tape off when I run my mouth. I can’t stop the word vomit—I just want to be around him a bit longer. I am truly pathetic.

“My parents want to marry me off. You’ll be off the hook,” I blurt out.

He gets in my face, gripping my chin. “What the fuck did you say?”

“I’m thinking of accepting,” I say seriously. Someday, I may have to. Duty and sacrifice go hand in hand in the Family.

I’ve never seen that look on his face. His features clench so hard, rooting me to the spot. I should have kept my mouth shut.

“Hunter.” My voice catches in my throat, and I swallow hard.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea.”

“What?”

“You’re so desperate for love. Maybe he will give you that. Good luck, Bailey.”

My heart plummets like a damp, tear-soaked rag hitting the floor at his feet.

He yanks at the tape, the strips falling to the floor, limp and lifeless, just like my spirit.

“You’re a damn coward. You know, just like I do, there’s something between us.”

“Or it could be that I just don’t want you,” he says coldly.

The weight of his rejection crushes me, and I can barely stay upright. Of course, he doesn’t want me. The people I’ve wanted love from never gave it. Why would he be the exception?

This emotional overload might as well bury me. I don’t fucking know what to do with myself, but it’s been one week, and her words are still stuck in my head, playing on repeat.

I had the urge to tell her that she’d marry someone else over my very dead body, but then I stopped myself. She has been focused on her training like never before, and it put some necessary distance between us. I should be fucking happy about that. I am miserable.

Every day feels like I’m walking on a tightrope, teetering above the abyss of misery. I wish I could stop fighting and just let myself fall.

It’s Bailey’s fault. I was fine until her. And now, this elephant-sized shit stomps on my chest whenever she’s in my vicinity. She’s not ignoring me, per se, just like now. She is just back in her cave, where she thinks it’s safe. I thought it would be the best for both of us. We already crossed and blurred the line. But this is a slow and never-ending torture.

What is it about her that makes me so damn weak?

What is it about her that makes me say fuck it all?

What is it about her that rattles at my walls like no one else?

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