Page 200 of The Contract

A sharp exhale pushes through my lips.

“How?” My voice is barely above a whisper.

Damien steps closer, his hands still in his pockets, like he’s terrified of making another wrong move.

“Because the second I found out someone took it from you, I bought it back.” His throat works around the words, his voice heavy. Careful. “And now I’m giving it to you.”

My knees almost give out.

I shake my head again, disbelief crashing into me like a tidal wave.

“Why?” The question tears from my throat, raw and vulnerable before I can stop it. “Why would you do this?”

His gaze burns into me, his answer immediate.

“Because I love you.”

My heart fucking stops.

The words hang between us, suspended in the charged air, crashing over me with the force of a goddamn storm.

I can’t move. I can’t breathe.

My heart slams painfully against my ribs, my mind fighting against the truth he just laid bare.

Because if I let myself believe it...

If I let myself feel it...

It’ll destroy what little is left of me.

“Don’t,” I whisper, my voice barely holding steady. “Don’t say that.”

His throat works, his jaw clenching like the words are tearing him apart on the way out.

“It’s the truth, Elena.” His voice is gravel and desperation, thick with emotion. “And I should’ve said it sooner.”

I shake my head, teetering on the edge, my fingers curling into fists at my sides.

“You called me a liar.” My voice is soft, but the words cut. “You called me a whore.”

His face contorts with agony, like each syllable is a fresh wound opening inside him.

“I know,” he says, hoarse, wrecked. “I fucking know, Elena. I didn’t believe in you.” His confession is quiet, haunted. “I didn’t protect you. I didn’t listen.” He swallows hard, shaking his head. “And the worst of it?”

A ragged breath shudders from his lungs.

“I abandoned you.”

My whole body goes rigid.

He steps forward—slowly, cautiously—watching me like I might shatter at any second.

“You asked me to listen, and I didn’t.” His voice is low, thick with regret. “You begged me to hear you, and I turned my backon you.” He drags a shaking hand down his face, like he hasn’t slept since that day. “I left you, Elena. I let you down. I did exactly what the rest of the world has done to you your whole fucking life.”

A sharp inhale rips through me, my control cracking, splintering, and I hate him for knowing that. For seeing me so clearly.

For breaking past every wall I’ve tried to hold in place.

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