“I hope so… I don’t know what I would do without him.” Her voice cracks and tears spill down her cheeks.
I bring her head to my chest, pulling her into a tight embrace as she sobs.
“Why him?” she wails. “He doesn’t deserve this.”
My heart aches seeing her in such a vulnerable state. I want to protect her and obliterate anything that caused her sadness.
I curse myself for not fighting harder for her back then. My anger prevented me from reaching out to her. Had I been there for her, she wouldn’t have had to endure this pain alone.
Annalise is like a rose, beautiful and compelling. Her beauty often distracts people from seeing the thorns she tries to hide from the world. Many people wouldn’t dare grasp a rose full of thorns for fear of the pain that it would cause, but I’d let her thorns pierce through every part of me. I see her for who she is and appreciate every part of her—thorns and all.
“I’m sorry for ruining your night.” She sniffles, swiping the tears from her eyes. “You should go back down with your friends. I don’t want to burden you with my problems.”
My hands drift to her face. I cup her cheeks, staring deep into her eyes. “Don’t ever feel like you’re burdening me, Annalise. I’m here for you. Always. And you didn’t ruin my night.” I gently stroke her cheeks. “Being out here with you was the best part of it.”
A small smile touches her lips, causing my heart to swell.
“There you are. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” Lucas’s arrogant voice slices through the air.
Annalise pulls away from my embrace, quickly dabbing at the corners of her eyes.
He strides over to the balcony, deliberately placing himself between us. His eyes flick to her tear-streaked face, the pink tinge of her nose. “Is Kamado bothering you?” he asks, his tone sharp.
“No. We were just talking,” she replies, shaking her head.
As much as I want to give him an earful and send him flying off the edge of this building, I resist. I don’t want to upset Annalise and ruin the moment we shared earlier.
“I’ll see you next week at Dauntless,” I say, giving her a smile.
“Yeah. I’ll see you around.” She grins and gives me a small wave.
I slowly descend the stairs, lingering at the base and contemplating if I should rush back up and tell her that I’m still deeply, madly in love with her.
I’ve been lying to myself saying that I don’t, but the truth is, I neverstoppedloving her.
Even if she doesn’t say it back, I can’t let another minute go by without her knowing.
With my heart pounding loudly in my chest, I race up the stairs—ready to profess my love for her.
But the words die in my throat.
Lucas’s hands are in her hair and they’re locked in a kiss.
How could she kiss him after the moment we just shared?
I feel my heart shatter into a million pieces at the sight before me, crushing me beyond repair.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
annalise
Ever since Ifound out about Abuelo’s diagnosis, I’ve pushed it to the back of my mind, not wanting to face reality. But tonight, all the emotions I’ve been suppressing came crashing through me as though a floodgate had been opened. In that moment, I forgot about the past I had with Maddox and let myself get lost in the familiar warmth of his embrace.
For the rest of the world, I put on afaçade and keep my problems to myself. Maddox makes me feel safe enough to let my barriers down. He sees the parts I keep hidden from the rest of the world and the silent battles I fight alone.
I thought what I felt for Maddox was just pure lust, but being in his arms again has me doubting my feelings.
“Did you have a good time tonight?” Lucas asks after Maddox leaves us alone on the rooftop. He wraps his arms around my waist.
