Page 77 of My Sweetest Obsession

“You abandoned me, Nico. You broke your promise to keep me safe,” she accused me, tilting her head slightly. “Do you know what they did to me?”

I clenched my jaw tighter, knowing exactly what they had done to her.

A twisted smile curved her lips. “They burned my skin with a fucking lighter.”

“Stop,” I growled, my fists balled up so tight my nails dug into my palms.

Undeterred, she continued. “They used a taser on me. More than once.”

“Please, stop.” I wasn’t sure how long I could hold back the tide of wrath begging to be unleashed.

“They beat the shit out of me until I was unconscious.” She struggled to hold back her tears. “I lost my…my baby.”

“Gigi, please stop talking.”

“I was raped!”

My rage exploded, and I hurled the water bottle against the wall. “Stop!” I roared. “Just fucking stop!”

I was panting, my chest rising and falling rapidly.

“No, you stop!”

“I know what they did to you,” I managed to spit out, my jaw clenched tight enough I could feel my molars threatening to crack under the pressure.

“I don’t need a fucking recap.”

I looked at her, but she no longer looked broken; she looked like a warrior primed for battle, an avenging angel ready to unleash hell.

“I can’t take back what happened to you,” I said, forcing myself to hold her gaze, even as a wave of guilt threatened to drown me. “I hate myself for what I did to you, for what they...” I paused, shutting my eyes briefly, biting back the surge of anger that rose in my throat.

“But I promise you”—I opened my eyes, steeling myself— “they will pay for what they did to you. Every single one of them will pay. I swear it.”

She laughed, but it sounded empty. “It doesn’t matter, Nico,” she said quietly. “The damage has been done. You can’t undo any of it. No one can.”

“I know, but I will spend the rest of my life trying to make it right. I’ll do whatever it takes to earn your forgiveness.”

Once burning with rage, Gigi’s eyes were now void of emotion. “And what about the next time, Nico? Can you be sure you won’t throw a tantrum and screw me over?”

Her sass almost made me smirk, but I fought it down. I caged her with my hands on either side of her head, desperate for her to see the promise in my eyes. My truths.

“Trust me when I say I’ll never doubt you again. I’ll fight for you. I’lldiefor you. I will protect you. No one—no one—will ever lay their hands on you again.”

She seemed to weigh my words, and then she delivered the death blow. “It’s over between us. You made it clear that I wasn’tenough for you,” she said, her voice flat. “I won’t risk my heart again. You broke me, Nico. You shattered my trust. You couldneverearn that back.”

I inched closer, my lips nearly brushing against hers, and a small gasp escaped her lips. It was a flicker of hope, a spark I refused to ignore.

“You are more than enough. I won’t fuck you over ever again,” I promised, my eyes locked with hers, fierce and unwavering. I pressed my lips against hers, but she jerked away. I grabbed her chin, forcing her to face me. “You and I will never be over.”

I hesitantly released her chin and stood tall. “And you’re not broken,” I said, my voice firm yet gentle. “Your wings may be clipped, but they will grow strong again.”

Moments later, the nurse stepped into the room, a warm smile spreading across her face.

“Oh, look at you! How are you feeling?” she said in a cheery tone.

“I’ll be better once he leaves,” Gigi said curtly.

I crossed my arms, and her eyes focused on my bicep. I flexed it, making her blush. At least her color was returning.