Page 121 of Twist of Fate
I take a step back and nearly trip. The bag in my hand clatters to the floor.
I’ve never been scared of Theo. Looking back, I can see how he may not have treated me like I deserved, and of course, there was the cheating, but I never felt unsafe in his presence.
Until now.
There is a sort of wild desperation in his eyes that I’ve never seen.
It scares me.
I take another step back. This time, I don’t trip, but my back hits the door. I feel trapped.
“You haven’t been returning my phone calls.”
“That’s not true,” I say gently, trying to search his expression for a clue. This isn’t him. Sure, he’s tried to get me back before, but he eventually lost interest. “We’ve been in touch.”
He scoffs. “In touch? You were supposed to come visit me, Ash. I needed you there, and you bailed on me.”
There’s a desperation in his tone that I don’t quite understand. “I told you I was sorry about that. I’ve been busy?—”
“Yeah, you don’t need to elaborate. I’ve seen your posts. I know what you’ve been up to.”
I fold my arms across my chest. The implication in his tone is clear. “I’m sorry if—” I cut myself off before I can finish. “No, you know what? I’m not going to apologize. It’s been two years. We’ve both moved on?—”
“I haven’t moved on!” he roars, slamming his hands on either side of my head. His body cages mine, and I feel my heart begin to gallop in my chest.
“Theo,” I say gently. “Please step back.”
“No,” he says tightly. “We’re going to talk about this. I need you to understand. I’ve changed.”
Oh, he’s changed all right. And not in a good way.
“I want to start over, you and me. This time, it will be different. I’ll be different.”
“Theo, you’re not listening to me.” I feel like I’m poking the bear by trying to argue with him, but I can’t help it; he’s talking utter nonsense.
“No, you’re not listening to me. I’m all in this time, Ash. I mean it. I want to marry you.”
“What?” I let out a nervous laugh. “Are you serious? I don’t want to marry you. Not anymore. I love Finn.”
His expression turns icy. “You’d pick a washed-up rugby player over me? Over us? We have a history.”
“No, wearehistory. We’re over.”
He slams his palm angrily against the wall, just inches from my face. I jump. My heart pounds, and tears sting my eyes. He’s never hurt me. He would never hurt me.
“I need you to back up,” Finn says, his voice sounding menacing as he steps into the hallway. I didn’t even hear the elevator ding.
I can’t tell if Theo did because he barely reacts, hardly giving him a second glance. “This doesn’t involve you.”
Finn’s eyes dart to mine, his expression grave as he looks me over from head to toe. I can see the inner conflict in his gaze—panic and rage all tangled together. He shifts his attention back to Theo. “Since you seem to be harassing my girlfriend in front of my flat in a building I own, I’d say it definitely involves me. Now, step. The fuck. Back.”
His voice is so chilling; the threat of violence is impossible to ignore, and yet, unlike Theo, I don’t fear him.
Theo wisely does as he asks and takes a healthy step back. The second he does, I dart away from him toward Finn. As his arms wrap around me, I hear him exhale in relief while I bury myself in his chest.
I never thought I’d be running away in fear from my ex.
So many things are wrong about this scenario. So many things that don’t add up.
