Page 74 of Plus-Size Bratva Possession

He walked past me, toward the couch, and I closed my eyes, trying to steady myself. When I opened them again, I saw he had turned to face me.

I could do this,I told myself.I could face him without falling apart.

He looked terrible in the light. Those dark circles under his eyes looked like bruises, and his hair was a complete mess.

“Elena,” he took my name in greeting, finally breaking the silence.

“What do you want?” I asked, proud of how steady my voice sounded despite the earthquake happening inside me.

“I needed to see you,” he said. “I…if there was a better way to say I’m sorry, I would have found it. And I know a word means nothing, but I’m so so so very sorry, Elena.”

I leaned against the doorframe, not moving any closer. “You had your chance to listen and you chose not to.”

“I know.” His voice cracked slightly. “I was so very wrong. I found Ricardo, Elena. I talked to him.”

My eyes widened. “You what?”

“I found Adriana's lover. He admitted to it all, and your suspicion was right. His revenge was on me. He was jealous, and everything you tried to tell me was true.”

A small, petty part of me wanted to say I told you so. The rest of me just felt tired.

“Good for you,” I said flatly. “Is that all?”

His face fell. “No. It's not all. I came to tell you how sorry I am for accusing you of lying to protect your brothers. For everything.”

I wanted so very much to tell him it was alright. That I forgave him. Seeing him standing there in front of me weakened every argument I had built up against him. But the hurt he caused; I was afraid he was capable of causing more.

And I knew I couldn’t take any more of my heart shattering.

“I’m glad you found out for yourself,” I said at last.

A look of hope crossed his face. He walked over to me and turned to my side, creating distance.

“Can we… can you…consider coming back?” he asked. “We can talk. Figure it out.”

I wrapped my arms around myself and shook my head. “You know what's hard? Believing that you trusted me and learning that you didn’t. I understand you know what you do now, and I appreciate you coming over here. But…I think it’s time you go now.” I reached over to open the door.

“Elena, please…” he stepped toward me, but I stepped back and shook my head.

“I don’t know what to do with myself without you,” he said, a pain in his voice. “I…”

“You decide I was lying or scheming or whatever; you broke my trust,” I said, my own voice cracking.

“It will never happen again,” he promised, stepping closer. I took one back.

“How can I believe that?” I asked. “You were so quick to think the worst of me. What happens when something else comes up that tests your trust?”

“I'll listen,” he said. “I'll trust you. I'll—”

“Stop,” I cut him off. “Just stop. I can't do this right now. I need more time.”

His face fell, but he nodded. “I understand. But Elena, I'm not giving up on us. I...” he trailed off, swallowing hard. “I want to make this right.”

“I don't know if you can,” I admitted.

He stepped back, his shoulders slumping slightly. “I'll come back tomorrow.”

“Gastone—”