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“Trying?”
My shoulders slumped. “Yes…”
“Trying what, Nirah? What the fuck are you trying?”
His words forced me back and a sting pierced my heart as I stared up at him—unblinking.
“You’re the brother of the man who raped me— am I just supposed to forget that?”
“No, you’re supposed to trust me. Love me!”
“I do love you!”
“Clearly not enough.”
I could hear it. My heart cracking… piece by piece.
“You just don’t love me enough.”
I shook my head. “Don’t say that.”
“Was any of it real?”
“Of course it was!” I stepped closer. “Of course it was real, I was just… I was scared, Antonio.” Tears swelled in my eyes. “I need you to understand that.”
He allowed silence to settle between us before speaking. “I’ve been trying to understand you since the day we met…”
The heavy weight on my chest crushed my heart.
“I can’t understand you if you don’t let me in.” Step. “Why, Nirah?” His hands gripped my face with a slight tremble as he forced our gazes to remain. “Why won’t you let me in?” The faint shift in his voice didn’t go unnoticed, and all it did was force the blade deeper into my already cracked heart.
I opened my mouth, then shut it again.
Eyes have always been the gateway to one’s soul, and right now… all I saw was a desperate, defeated and damned plea.
Firm hands held my face so tenderly, yet stern enough to emphasize the shattered hope he had been enduring and holding onto.
I scoffed, blinking back tears. “That’s rich coming from you.”
There was a minuscule switch in his demeanour. “What are you talking about?”
I heavily contemplated my answer, but when realisation hit me that he’d never truly see it, I spoke. “What happened between you and Fernandina when you were fifteen?”
His face relaxed.
“What did you just say?” He stepped closer and I fisted my hands at my sides.
“Not so easy now, is it?” I asked, staring up at him. “You’ve been adamant about me opening up but when, Antonio… when did you open up to me?”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“See?” I stepped back. “You’re still avoiding my question.”
His jaw ticked. “Stop talking.”
“It’s not so easy letting someone in when you’re on the receiving end, is it—” He gripped the sides of my arms, pushing me back against the wall.
“Shut up, Nirah.” He kept his voice low.
