Chapter 195
Chapter 197
That’s when his voice, low and raw with sleep, cut through the dark.
“If I hadn’t come to the deck today, would you have slept with him p>
The question came so abruptly that I froze, unable to process what he was asking. “W–what p>
His voice hardened. “If I hadn’t shown up, would you have gone to bed with that piece of trash p>
Alexander didn’t understand why he felt so furious, but he couldn’t control it.
“Oh!” I finally understood what he was asking about. “About that situation, I can p>
Before I could get out the word “explain,” he cut me off. “Sarah Winters, are you that desperate for a man p>
I stared at him, completely stunned.
His dark, narrow eyes locked onto me, his expression dark with barely contained rage. “Couldn’t you at least be more selective? That Reid guy looks like a damn pig, and you’d still go to bed with him? Don’t you feel dirty p>
“Or is Miss Winters just that promiscuous? Any male will do? Have you completely forgotten what dignity even means p>
I took a deep breath, telling myself not to sink to his level. “Alexander, why are you so angry p>
“What have I done to deserve this barrage of insults p>
“Can’t you just let me finish speaking, analyze the situation rationally, and then judge my character p>
“No!” Alexander snapped, his face darkened, lips pressed into a thin line. “Just thinking about how you were using the same tricks on me that you use on those pathetic males makes me sick. Your behavior is disgusting p>
“You’re so repulsive I can barely stand to look at you p>
“Get out p>
Deep breath. Deep breath.
Stay calm. Stay calm.
I reminded myself this was Aria’s father. He’d lost his memory. I shouldn’t take his words personally.
But the hurt cut too deep. I couldn’t help it–tears welled in my eyes as my control finally broke.
“Do you think I wanted this?” I demanded, my voice rising. “Do you think I enjoy being trapped on this ship with people who want to use me? Who want to hurt me p>
“You have no idea what I’ve been through! You don’t know anything about me anymore p>
“I would never have gone with Alpha Reid willingly. Never! But you didn’t even give me a chance to explain before labeling me as some desperate, shameless woman p>
1/2
Chapter 197
Alexander’s eyes widened slightly at my outburst, but his expression remained hard.
+25 BONUS
“Alexander,” I whispered, tears streaming down my cheeks, “am I really that awful in your eyes? Do you hate me that much p>
Something shifted in his expression then–a flicker of confusion, perhaps even regret.
Before I knew what was happening, his hand reached out, his thumb gently brushing away a tear from my cheek.
The touch sent electricity through my skin. Our eyes met, and for a moment, I saw something dark and hungry flash in his gaze–a primal desire that made my breath catch.
He leaned closer, his breath warm against my face.
My heart pounded so hard I thought it might break through my ribs.
Our lips were just inches apart. I wanted to kiss him so badly my entire body ached with longing…
Just as our lips were about to meet, his phone rang loudly in the silence.
Alexander pulled back as if burned, looking almost disoriented. He glanced at his phone, and something in his expression hardened when he saw the caller ID.
Without another word, he stood and walked out of the room to answer the call. Through the door, I could hear him greeting the caller–Isabella, his fiancée.
I sat alone on the bed, my heart shattering into a thousand pieces. The call was a cruel reminder of reality— Alexander had a fiancée now, a woman he’d chosen while I was nothing but a stranger to him. A cleaning lady, as he’d so dismissively called me.
I wiped away my tears with the back of my hand. Enough was enough. I couldn’t keep putting myself through this torment. From now on, I would keep my distance from Alexander Blackwood. No more seeking him out, no more hoping for glimpses of the man who once loved me.
It was time to protect what little remained of my heart.