HIS DOE, HIS DAMNATION (An Erotic Billionaire Romance) novel Chapter 157

Meadow’s POV:

That had to be what that was.

An excuse.

A dumb, far–stretched one, but an excuse nonetheless.

Because there was no way… no damn way Alaric was serious about this.

“Meadow,” he said, voice softening. “I’m not making excuses. I’m not scared of loving you either, I’m just… aware… and fucking terrified that you’d hate me.”

I stared at him, still waiting for him to tell me that he was just joking. But the expression on his face told me everything that I needed to know.

“Alaric…” I breathed, for lack of words. “What’re you…”

His jaw ticked, and he let out a bitter laugh, running a hand through his hair. “Just listen to me, Meadow, okay? Please. That’s all I need from you right now.” He shook his head solemnly. “Can you do that for me, baby?”

My heart felt heavy, but I nodded, reaching for the counter to steady myself.

And then, Alaric told me everything.

Everything. From being a little boy and watching his father’s empire crumble, to shooting his father and hiding it perfectly for seven years at the cost of his sense of touch, to finding out that my father was behind his father’s empire coming to nothing, and then wanting his revenge and framing Clint Russell.

Not caring that he had a family.

—–

Not caring that Clint had two little daughters even though Alaric had no idea at the time–how I was being treated in that household.

Not caring that what he’d done had set another chain of reactions–my mother killing herself, my sister hating me more and more and just… my life becoming more miserable.

And when he was done talking, he let out a sharp breath, leaning forward, elbows resting on top of the counter as his head fell between his shoulder blades.

My chest was tight, breathing shallow, brows pulled together as I tried to put it all together.

“Say something.” His voice was so calm, so soft, so…

Guilty. “Please, Meadow.”

I swallowed hard. Or tried to. The rock that had settled in my throat refused to move. “What do you…” My voice cracked. “What do you want me to say?”

Alaric didn’t look up. “Anything. Just-”

“This is what you’ve been holding back from me this entire time?” I cut in as my fingers dug into the edge of the counter.

He looked up then, slowly dragging his gaze up to meet mine. “Meadow—”

“Is that it?” I bit out frustratedly as my nostrils flared. “Is that the entire truth? Is that everything you’ve been holding back from me?”

His jaw clenched and his gaze hardened. “Yes.”

I looked away from him, nodding. A chill ran down my spine and I wondered if it was from the cold marble floor beneath my bare feet or… something else.

My lips parted. “So what?” I whispered. “Do you love me now?”

I had no idea why that was the only question at the tip of my tongue, but once it was out, I couldn’t take it back.

Alaric was silent, so I turned to glance at him again, and his brows were furrowed in confusion.

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