Page 254 of Ruin My Life

Webothknew Matthias was a threat. I was prepared to deal with him myself. I wasalreadyplanning for it.

So why did she take it all on her shoulders?

Because that’s who she is. Because she’d rather burn alone than watch someone else catch fire.

Just like me.

We’re the same that way—willing to throw ourselves into the inferno if it means saving the other.

But fire always leaves scars, even when it doesn’t kill you. And if she doesn’t wake up soon…

This one might consume me whole.

I should’ve seen it coming. Should’ve known better than to let her into this fucking disaster I call a life. I should’ve pushed her away the second I saw that spark in her eyes. That lethal hope she carried like a blade at her own throat.

But I couldn’t.

From the first moment—her tied to that chair, half-conscious and still terrifying—I knew I’d never be able to let her go.

She’s my enigma. My match. My madness.

With that sharp tongue and the wildfire in her chest, I fell harder than I’ve ever fallen. Straight to my fucking knees.

Our meeting wasn’t chance. But everything after?

It felt more destined than raindrops on pavement during a storm. More inevitable than waves crashing against the shore. More real than anything I’ve ever known.

And now—

All I want is to see her fire again.

This hospital is my hell.

Each second she stays silent, I get one step closer to tearing this entire place apart with my bare hands.

I clutch her hand in mine and press her knuckles to my lips, trying not to tremble like a broken thing. “Come on,mi rosa,” I whisper. “Don’t make me chase you again.”

My throat catches.

“Because Iwill.I’ll drag myself straight to hell if that’s what it takes to hold you one more time.”

But she doesn’t move.

If it weren’t for the hiss of oxygen and the softbeep—beep—beep—I’d swear she was already gone.

How the fuck am I supposed to do this without her?

She gave me everything—eight million dollars and a goddamn mission. She wanted The Speakeasy rebuilt. Stronger. Safer. Bigger than before.

But how do I save anyone when I couldn’t even save her?

What kind of protector am I? What kind of man claims he keeps monsters at bay when the worst one of all worked beside me for two goddamn years?

I let him in. I let him standnextto her.

And now look.

I’m no hero. No saviour.