Page 58 of Her Cruel One-Sided Love

I know it's over between us, God. I already know that. So why can't I still forget him?

She was about to step out of the hotel when the doors opened, and her steps crashed into a silent halt.

Massimo?

He was so, so much more gorgeous than she had allowed herself to remember. But he had also visibly lost weight, and agony squeezed her heart as she tried to wonder why. Were they fighting again? Had he caught Ynez cheating—-non andare lì, Ysa! Don't go there! Just don't!

It was over between them, and—-

Shit.

Massimo had already looked up, and the moment his dark haunted eyes clashed with hers, it was as if the entire world had stopped, and it was all Ysabel could do not to cry the words that were threatening to rip her apart.

Perché, Massimo? Why? Why can't it be me?

Massimo could feel himself whitening as he stared athisYsabel...but she would not be for long, considering what she was wearing.

"Who is it, Ysabel?" he asked hoarsely.

"I d-don't..."

Was she saying she didn't want to tell him?Perché?Because she believed it was no longer his business?

Massimo knew a man much better than him was deserving of her, butdammit, dammit, dammit—-

"How did you even find me?" Ysabel asked painfully.La Stregahad told her she would be safe here, and he would never find her. So why was Massimo now standing in front of her?

"I've been looking for you every fucking day, Ysabel."

It hurt to hear the hollowness of his tone, and while she knew he would never lie—-what if he was only searching for her out of guilt?

"I was driving everyone crazy because of it, and that's how I ended up here."

Was he saying...he had only bumped into her by coincidence?

"Please don't do this." Massimo could no longer bear staring at his Ysabel dressed like a fucking bride andnotsaying anything about it. "I know I have no right to ask you of this," he admitted tautly, "butper favore,Ysabel—-give me another chance.Please."

"This is about your duty, isn't it?" she asked stiltedly.

"No, dammit. It's aboutyouand me—-it's always been you and me since Halloween five years ago." He tried to reach for her, but Ysabel stumbled back as if terrified by his touch, and her reaction cut him to the core. "Ysabel—-"

"It's over, okay?" she choked out. "And...and now, if you'll excuse me, I...I have somewhere to go."

Did she really think he would let her go just like that?

A gasp escaped her lips when Massimo's arms suddenly wrapped around her from behind in a chain-like embrace.

"Forgive me, Ysabel. Forgive me."

Tears tracked down her cheeks at the rawness of his tone. "There's nothing for me to forgive. You and Ynez—-"

"I don't give a damn about Ynez," Massimo bit out. "I never did—-"

His face whitened at the way Ysabel tore out of his hold at the words.

"Don't lie, Massimo. Please—-" Her voice broke, and his own fucking heart broke at the sound of it. "Just please don't."

"I'mnotlying," he said fiercely. "I know I was stupid and blind all these five years—-"

---