Page 62 of Falling for the Wrong Billionaire

I stop in my tracks, my breath catching.

He turns to face me, his brow furrowed, his hands shoved into his pockets.

“Because if I did,” he says, his voice low, almost tentative, “just tell me. Please. Don’t just… shut me out like this.”

The vulnerability in his eyes nearly undoes me.

I want to tell him everything — about the deal I made with my father, about the engagement looming closer every day, about how much it’s tearing me apart to pretend I don’t feel anything for him.

But I can’t.

I can’t shatter him like that.

I take a shaky breath, forcing the words out.

“You didn’t do anything,” I say quietly.

He searches my face for a moment, then asks softly, “Then why? Why are you pulling away from me?”

I look down at my hands, twisting the strap of my bag between my fingers.

I can feel the tears burning in my eyes, but I don’t let them fall.

He steps closer, his voice even gentler now.

“Are we going too fast? Is that it?”

I shake my head quickly, but the lump in my throat is too thick to let the words out.

Seeing the way he looks at me — like he’s willing to move the whole world just to make me smile — it breaks something deep inside me.

Because I can’t give him what he deserves.

I can’t stay.

The tears finally spill over, and I duck my head, mumbling a quick, “I’m sorry. I… I have to go.”

Before he can stop me, I turn and rush back toward the clinic, my footsteps echoing loudly in my ears.

I hear him call my name behind me, but I don’t stop.

I can’t.

Not now.

I push through the clinic doors, letting them shut behind me, and make my way to the back storage room, my vision blurry with tears.

I sink to the floor in the corner, pressing my back against the cool wall, and let the sobs finally break free.

It hurts.

God, it hurts so much.

Because I know, no matter how hard I try, no matter how much I tell myself this is for the best…

I’m falling in love with him anyway.

And when the time comes to walk away, it’s going to destroy me. And I’m afraid him as well.