Page 64 of King of My Heart

I broke up with him, but he clearly didn’t fully accept it.

“I uh…” I stopped to find the right words. I needed to move this conversation into a different direction. “Hilton Beach is where your father lives.”

Silence.

Again.

And though I couldn’t see his face, I just knew there was shock and disappointment written all over his face.

“What the fuck, Darwynn!”

Aaaand he’s back.

“Let me explain,” I said, biting my lower lip.

“What. The. Fuck!”

Apparently, he was still trying to swallow the news of me being at his father’s place.

“Look, I didn’t call to fight. I just…I wanted to talk.”

“About what?” He sounded wary now, like he already knew where this conversation was headed.

I hesitated, gripping the edge of the couch cushion beside me. “About your past.”

He scoffed immediately. “Of course.”

“Julian—”

“You’re fucking insane. Do you even realize what you’ve done? First, you break up with me. Then, you go on a months-long trip without ever calling or texting. And now you’re with myfather? What the actual fuck is going on, Darwynn?”

Oh, he wasangry.

I clenched my jaw and gripped my phone tighter.

I swallowed. I needed to keep calm. “I will explain it to you. Just give me a moment. And, please, hear me out.”

“Hear you out?” He let out a bitter laugh. “You’re being crazy. God, Darwynn, how dare you insert yourself into this? This isn’t about you. It’s about me and him.”

This time, I laughed.

Dryly.

“I never inserted myself into this.Youdid. When you kept talking about what a “horrible man” Caspian is. For six long months, you talked badly about him in front of me. So, yes, Julian, it’s about me, too.”

“What, are you trying to make up for something? Trying to be a heroine? For what?” He muttered a curse. “What the fuck!”

If he said that one more time, I would riot.

He was quiet again, but I could hear his breathing. He was annoyed.

“Please, hear me out,” I said, keeping my voice soft. I truly didn’t want to fight with him.

“You can’t convince me to talk to him.”

“I’m not trying to convince you of anything. I just thought I would try. Because I know how much you’re hurting, and after getting to know Caspian—”

“How long have you been there?” he asked, interrupting me.