Page 165 of Maddening Fixation

Tears burned behind my eyes.

I refused to let them fall.

But Romeo only stared at me.

Unmoved. Unfeeling.

Then his mouth hardened.

“Every second I look at you,” he said, “I’m reminded that you wear a title that should have belonged to Yarina.”

My breath caught.

“She stood by me while I was rotting in prison. She remained loyal when there was nothing in it for her. She endured years of my absence.”

His eyes were merciless.

“And then there is you.”

The contempt in his voice was almost tangible.

“The daughter of my sister’s murderer. The woman who took Yarina’s place and now wears the ring that was meant for her.”

My throat tightened.

“I hate you.”

He said it without hesitation.

Without even the slightest crack in his voice.

“I hate you enough that nothing you do will change it.”

He stepped closer.

“You could save my life a hundred times. You could throw yourself in front of a bullet meant for me. You could die for me.”

His eyes remained fixed on mine.

“And I would still feel nothing.”

The words hollowed me out.

“I don’t want your sacrifice. I don’t want your loyalty. And I certainly don’t want your affection.”

His jaw tightened.

“The thought of touching you disgusts me. Even as my wife.”

He looked at me as though he had just delivered a verdict, not shattered the woman standing in front of him.

“So go home.”

His voice dropped into a final, merciless command.

“Don’t call me. Don’t wait for me. Don’t come looking for me.”

He turned away.