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"I am blaming myself," Cesare grates out.

"For what?"

"For what you had to endure," he snarls. "I was watching you eat earlier—-"

Oh shit,did he hear me burp?

"And I could not understand why it seemed like you hadn't eaten for days. That was whenNonnatold me where she found you—-"

Understanding finally dawns, and I jerk in my seat.

"It is because ofmethat you had to live off the streets, because ofmyselfishness that you look like a fucking breeze can blow you away—-"

I was afraid this was all about Cesare pitying me, but instead it's so much worse, and I frantically shake my head at him.

"Stop.Please."

And I mean it.

He has to freaking stop...because if he says another word, I think I'm going to cry, and that's the last thing I ever want to do.

"Just...stop."

Because it feels like an eternity ago since the last time someone made me feel I'm not alone.

An eternity,dammit.

It felt like an eternity since my parents died, an eternity since someone cared, an eternity since someone gave a shit about me.

And after that, it was day after day of feeling I was alone in the world even when I'm surrounded by other people...until now.

Untilhim.

I jerk in shock when Cesare turns my chair to face him without warning, and a gasp escapes me as he suddenly leans forward.

"Wh-what—-"

He clasps my face with both hands, and the moment I feel his touch on my skin—-

No, no, no.

I try slapping his hands away. I try freeing myself. I try anything and everything that can keep my eyes from watering—-

But it's too late.

His gaze captures mine, and tears start spilling down my cheeks as soon as I see the remorse in his eyes.

"I know I fucked up,tesoro.I know I've given you every reason to choose someone else—-"

This is so embarrassing, dammit.

"But I still want you to choose me."

Everything I've gone through should've made me tough, and Ididthink I've become tough...so why am I crying now?

"Choose me," Cesare says fiercely, and it's just ridiculous how his words have my tears falling even faster.

Is this really how it's going to be, dude?