Page 27 of Please, Forgive Me

“This… was a terrible idea,” I murmured, my lips still tingling from his kiss. My voice was shaky, but firm. It was for the best.

Diego looked at me, confusion flickering with frustration. His eyes searched mine, desperate to understand why I’d pulled away.

“Why are you running again?” he whispered, his voice raw. “Why was this such a terrible idea?”

I inhaled sharply, knowing the words I was about to say would change everything between us. But there was no avoiding it anymore.

“Diego… I’m resigning at the end of the month.”

Shock crashed across his face. His eyes narrowed, trying to process it, then he stepped back, like he needed space to regain his footing.

“What?! Are you out of your mind?!” His voice cut through the air, sharp with disbelief and anger.

The weight of everything pressed into me—the tension, the desire, the chaos—and I knew I couldn’t let this continue. Not with so much at stake. I was trying to protect myself… maybe even him too.

Before he could argue, I pushed him gently out of the room, catching him off guard.

“It’s for the best, Diego,” I said, my voice steady but laced with sorrow. “This… us… it won’t work.”

I saw the protest rising in him, but before he could speak, I closed the door carefully, leaning against it with a long, trembling exhale. My hands shook. My pulse was still racing.

Why did it have to be so hard?

I knew I was making the right choice, but that didn’t make it any easier.

I stumbled toward the bed and collapsed onto it, the weight of the moment crashing down on me. My emotions were at war—my body screaming for him, my mind begging me to let go.

Lying there, all I could feel was the memory of his mouth on mine, the heat of his body pressed against me.

I had to pull away before everything spiraled further out of control. But a part of me knew I’d never forget that kiss—never stop wanting more.

I closed my eyes, but I already knew sleep wouldn’t come easy.

I’d just shut the door on Diego Bittencourt… yet somehow, deep inside, I knew our story was far from over.

CHAPTER 11

“Life is a cycle of endings and new beginnings…”

MARIA GABRIELA

I woke up with a brutal hangover.

Thank God the meeting wasn’t until lunch—if it had been in the morning, I’d have been screwed. I knew I shouldn’t have drunk that much last night, but honestly, at the time, it felt likethe only way to cope with everything happening between me and Diego.

Now, sprawled in bed, I felt the weight of every choice—every glass of wine, every reckless decision… right down to the kiss I’d given him.

Literally, I…

I let out a long sigh and dragged myself out of bed, reality crashing back in to find me. My head still felt fuzzy, the memories of the night before circling like restless ghosts.

I needed clarity.

Cold water on my face, a hard stare at my reflection in the mirror—you can’t let this get to you. Then the hot shower, letting the steam unknot my muscles and quiet my mind.

I dressed carefully: a black pencil skirt, a navy silk blouse, and a sharp blazer. I blew out my hair, let it fall smooth over my shoulders, added simple but elegant earrings, and just enough makeup to make me feel like myself again.

I was ready to face the day, even if inside, I was still shaking a little.