Page 203 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol 4

"The cheapest treatment is $20,000."

He nodded his head. "Okay. Well, let's go to a bank. I can get..."

"No. I'm not taking your money, Tyler."

"You wouldn't be taking it. I want to give it to you."

"I can't." I stood up.

He immediately stood up next to me. "Let me help you."

"I don't need your help!" I didn't mean to snap at him. But I didn't need his pity. "I don't need anyone's help." I turned to look out at the ocean.

"It's okay to rely on other people. You're not alone, Hails."

I shook my head. "Aren't I, though? My mother despises me. My father is dying. In a few months I'll be alone. My whole life I was too scared to let anyone in. And when I finally did let my guard down and dated my asshole of an ex, he cheated on me. With my best friend. So yes, actually, I will be alone. I have no one but my dad. That's it, Tyler."And I wanted you. You told me no. And it hurts so damn much.

"You have me."

"I don't have you. You've made that clear." It felt like I couldn't breathe again. "God, none of that even matters. I didn't get into your car to fall in love with you." The laugh that escaped my lips sounded strangled. "I did it to save my dad. I did it to face my fears and talk to my mom. And I failed on both accounts. Shestill made me feel like trash. And I didn't get the money. I failed." My lip trembled as I said the words. "He's going to die. It's my fault that he's going to die. It's my fault."

He pulled my face into his chest and let me cry again.

"It's all my fault," I mumbled into his chest.

"Hails, I'm sorry that you're in pain. I'm sorry that your dad is sick. If there is anything I can do..." his voice trailed off. "But it's not your fault. Don't put that blame on yourself. Don't make the situation darker than it needs to be. You've done everything you could."

His words just made me cry harder. "Stop saying nice things to me."

"Hailey..."

"You're not allowed to be sweet when you're kicking me to the curb." I couldn't seem to stop sobbing.

His hands seemed to tense on my back. "That's not what I'm doing. And I don't want to say goodbye. I don't want to. I'm doing this for you."

"For me?" I shoved him off of me. "Maybe I blame myself for things I shouldn't, but own up to your own problems, Tyler. You're doing this for you."

He shook his head. "I'm trying to protect you..."

"Well don't!" I turned to face the ocean. I tried to concentrate on the sounds of the waves, but all I could focus on was my anger pulsing through me.

His hand on my shoulder made me flinch.

"Okay," he said slowly. "You're right."

I laughed. "Yeah, right. It's fine, Tyler. I'm used to being pushed away. So just go, okay? Please just go." I dug my heels into the sand. I needed something to ground me, because it felt like I was a million miles away. It felt like I was already grieving for my father, even though he was still alive. I couldn't do this. And I certainly didn't want to fall apart anymore in front of Tyler.

"No, Hails. I mean you're right about me. About everything. Maybe I was just trying to protect myself."

I tilted my head toward him. There was so much pain in his eyes. I could feel it wafting off of him. We were both drowning. We were both barely holding on. How could two people so broken possibly fix one another? What had I been thinking? But at the same time, I felt like clinging to him again. For some reason he was my lifeline. I wasn't sure I could keep going without him. My bottom lip started trembling again. "Tyler..."

"I think we should try this."

"What?"

"I don't want to say goodbye. No matter how many times I tell myself it's best if I walk away, I can't. I want to try to make this work."

I swallowed hard. I couldn't even comprehend what he was saying.He wants me? He's choosing me?"If you're doing this because you feel sorry for me..."