Page 277 of When We Fall: Part Two

“Tell me what is going on inside that pretty head of yours,” he murmured. “I want to know.”

“Do you?” I asked softly. “Why?”

He breathed out. “You are the most intriguing creature I have ever met. I find myself unable to resist you even though everything tells me I should.”

“I feel that way about you.”

He chuckled. “We might have a problem then, huh, my sweet girl.”

“Has this ever happened to you before? Where you have felt this way?”

“No,” he answered without hesitation.

“You’ve been married before?—”

“No,” he said softly, tilting my chin up and brushing his soft lips against mine. “That is my answer. My marriage wasn’t made of love. It was more like duty.”

I swallowed. “Will you tell me about it?”

He studied me for a moment before looking past me. “I had an arranged marriage. I knew her. She knew me. We were good enough friends, but we didn’t love each other. It was a duty on my part. She loved another, and the pain of not having him was unbearable for her. I suppose perhaps she thought I’d be agreeable to sharing my wife, even if we did not love one another.” He paused for a moment and twirled one of my curls around his finger. “The Bratva murdered him. He tried to make a name for himself so he could win her away from me. She struggled with the news of his death, so much so that it spiraled her into a depression so deep that I could not bring her out of it. I felt angry and bitter because I had always wanted to be a good husband. She told me I’d never behim. I knew these words were out of despair and anger, but she said them to me every day we were married. I kept trying until it became too much. In a way, I regret that weakness because it transformed me into something even more monstrous. I cannot blame who I became solely on her. That would be irresponsible of me, but in my anger, I began to grow colder to all. Even my boys.”

He stopped talking and cradled my face, his blue eyes on mine. “I fucked up, little hummingbird. I ruined her life by agreeing to the marriage. She killed herself after the man she really loved died. His name was Edward Bauer. A decent enough family, but nowhere near the caliber of either of ours.” He ran his knuckles along my jaw. “She thought it was the only way toget to him and be with him. I came in and found her lying in a pool of her own blood. I picked up the knife. Levin walked in on it. I didn’t want him to know his mother never loved me. That she hated our life so much that she would die to escape it. Maybe I should have told the boys. Maybe it would have changed things. He and Stefan believe I am their mother’s killer when, in fact, it was justlifethat killed her. A life she didn’t want.”

He stopped speaking, a faraway look in his eyes. So much pain was registered on his face, I didn’t even recognize him as the Klaus I knew.

“I was already a madman. The regret I had at not saving her or trying harder ate at me. I’ve never been good with emotions and feelings. Everything turned to hate. To anger. My boys…” his voice trailed off. “They hated me. Levin still does because I still fuck up. I don’t know how to be any other way with him. Perhaps I fear trying and being rejected, like his mother rejected me. And Stefan… He’s with his mother now, so it’s a moot point, really. Just another regret.”

He closed his eyes, and my heart broke as a tear snaked down his cheek.

“I was not a good father, nor was I a good husband. I am fearful of the rejection. Of the hatred. I only know my cruelty and how it can build a wall that can protect the heart. Maybe in my way, this is how I try to be a good father by pushing my sons away. So maybe they will grow cold and not hurt as I have. It is not often that I think of ways to explain it. I don’t like how it makes me feel. I just.. I wish for a different outcome. A second chance. Levin is all I have left, and he hates me, but perhaps it’s for the best. He is a strong man, and for that, I am proud.” More tears slipped down his cheeks, and he looked away from me.

I kissed them away as he let out a soft breath and held me tighter.

“If heaven had a face, I’m sure it would be yours,” he whispered. “Sweet Rosalie. You are a rarity. I am honored to share these moments with you. Thank you for that. I-I have never been in love, but I imagine it feels like this.”

“I think you could hate me,” I whispered.

“I could never,” he answered, kissing me again.

I pushed against his chest. “Klaus… I -I have something to tell you.”

He stared back at me. “Will I need pants for this?”

I let out a soft laugh. “Do you want pants?”

“Not when I’m with you. I like feeling your warmth against me.” He trailed his lips along my jaw, making me shiver. “Tell me, sweet girl. I can take it.”

I bit my bottom lip before breathing out. Stefan was alive. Klaus wasn’t the man they all thought he was. I knew that to the depths of my soul. He deserved to know. He deserved his second chance.

“If I tell you, will you promise to take the second chance?”

He crinkled his brows at me. “What is it?”

“Promise me,” I murmured. “You have to cross your heart promise. No takebacks. They aren’t allowed when you promise me.”

He made a cross over his heart with his finger. “Cross my heart. I would keep any promise to you I made.”

I licked my lips. “I-I know something. A-About Stefan.”