I reach a hand up to my arm, making a rough sound as I stop myself from scratching at the pod site. It’s just so damnitchy.
I rub my hands over my face, dreading today. I’ve been ignoring the men lingering around my home, and they’ve steered clear of me. I didn’t make this a safe space for them, and they know that.
Does it stop them from leaving meals at my bedroom door or asking if I need anything? Nope. They’re still annoying and still there. Always there.
I have to face them eventually. There’s a charity gala tonight that I’m supposed to be a guest of honor at. Charity work is one of the things I enjoy, and I won’t let those assholes ruin tonight for me. But that means I need to find them something to wear.
That requires speaking to them—something that makes me want to stab myself in the eye with a pencil any time I think of it.
I try to psyche myself up by giving myself a mental peptalk. It’s a little silly that I care so much that I have to prepare myself, but my confidence is shot down the moment someone barges into my recording studio. I whip around to the door, surprised to see Maddox, of all people, standing there with his arms crossed and a stern expression on his perfect face.
No, not perfect.
Shut up, Rose.
“That’s enough of this,” He decides, all authority. “You’ve both been avoiding each other like the fucking plague, and I’m sick of it.”
Roman.
He’s been avoiding me? Oh, that’s rich. I thought they were giving me space. I scowl at the intruder. “I have every right to ignore his existence.”
Maddox nods. “You do, but he has something he needs to say to you. I’m tired of him making excuses as to why he can’t talk to you about this.”
“So, you’re going to force me to speak to him?” I question.
He shrugs. “It’s more so he can say what he has to say. Whether you forgive him or not is completely up to you.”
Hmm. That actually doesn’t sound so bad. Listening to Roman’s weak apology would feel pretty good after the years he spent tormenting me. I bet it would eat him alive to know I’m basking in his discomfort.
“Alright,” I stand from my chair, a smile touching my lips. “Lead the way.”
Maddox blinks, clearly thrown off by my easy acceptance. “Really? You’ll hear him out?”
He has no idea what I’m plotting, but by tonight, they’ll all wish they hadn’t fucked with me. “Yup. Let’s go.”
I follow him out to my living room, which looks like an intervention. Roman sits on the couch, standing quickly as I approach. Kairo is propped against the arm of the sofa, giving me a meek wave that’s out of character for his outgoing charm.
I feel like I just walked into the Twilight Zone.
“Umm,” Roman scratches at the back of his neck, and something flickers across his face. It’s an emotion I’ve never seen on him—shame. He takes a deep breath before those pale blue eyes shift to me, and I see the sincerity in them. “I’m sorry for assuming the worst. I never should have accused you of being an addict. I had no right to make that assumption, and I’m truly ashamed of myself for it.”
I blink, shocked by the confession. I expected this to hurt him, and it does, but not in the way I hoped. He looks genuinely upset, but with himself.
Heat burns my neck at the realization that this is ten times better than shaming him. He’s actually sorry for what he did, and I can’t fault him for that. “It’s okay…”
He shakes his head. “It really isn’t. I hurt you enough, and I beat you while you were already down. The truth is…” He clears his throat, avoiding my eyes. “I was scared, Rosalie. I didn’t know what was happening, and it fucked with my head really bad. I don’t—can’t—see you like that again.”
I don’t know what to say. My mouth moves, but nothing comes out as I stare wide-eyed at the man who treated me horribly years ago.
He was scared?
But why…
“You don’t have to forgive me,” he says roughly before chuckling. “I wouldn’t. But just know, I feel horrible, and I will never make that mistake again. I promise you.”
I fold my arms over my abdomen, needing some kind of comfort as I process this. Never in all of my life did I imagine Roman apologizing to me and meaning it. It doesn’t erase the past, but it’s a step forward that I can’t ignore. The little girl at my core, who still believes there’s good in people, heals a fraction. “It really is okay, but if you do something like that again, I’m docking your pay.” I crack a small smile at my joke, and it causes Roman’s shoulders to drop with relief.
He rubs a hand over his forehead, a sign that he was worried about my reaction. “Please do. I was out of line.”
