Page 125 of The Don’s Omega

“Fabio,” I whimper. “If our positions were reversed, wouldn’t you have done the same thing for me?”

His mouth hardens, although he doesn’t argue.

“You would have,” I say. “We both know you’d do anything for me just like I would you.”

“Of course I’d do anything for you,” he whispers. “But that still doesn’t make it okay.”

“I never said it was okay. I said it was necessary,” I mutter. “And even though I can see you’re disgusted by me, I’d do it all over again. Because there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. Nothing.”

“I’m not disgusted by you.” He wipes at his eyes. “I’m angry that you lied to me, and furious that I was born with a shitty heart.”

“Fabio, no. That’s not your fault.”

He looks distraught. “That’s the only reason you were put in that horrible position. My fucked up heart.”

“Stop it. None of this is your fault.”

He continues as if he doesn’t hear me. “First our parents died, and you were forced into the role of my protector. That was bad enough, and now this? It’s not fair, Elio. You shouldn’t have to keep doing things to protect me. All you ever do is worry about me. You never get to live your life. It’s always been about me, and that’s fucking sad and horrible and I wish you’d just have let me die instead of sacrificing yourself for me yet again.”

“Don’t say that.” I pull him into my arms and hold his thin body as ragged sobs jolt through him. I’m scared he’s too upset. I’m terrified for his heart. For his sanity. “I’m sorry you’re upset,” I mumble, tears filling my eyes. “But I had no choice. I had to protect you, Fabio. You must understand that.”

“I ruined your life. I wish I’d never been born.”

“Damn it, Fabio. Don’t you ever say that. It’s okay. I’m okay.” I’m shocked by the enormous amount of guilt he’s been holding onto all these years. I had no idea he felt like such a burden. “You’ve got it all wrong,” I grate out, holding him at arm’s length. “If I hadn’t had you to care for, I’d have given up long ago. Don’t you understand? You weren’t a burden, you were my reason for living.”

“Living? What living have you even been allowed to do? All you ever do is take care of me.” He looks at me, his face wet with tears. “It’s so unfair. You were just a kid yourself when Mom and Dad died.”

“Yeah, I was a kid,” I say. “And that’s why I’d have given up. I was scared. Too scared. But you were there and I had to keep going. I couldn’t just give up because you needed me. Don’t you see? You were my reason for living. Without you, I’d have given up long ago.”

He wipes at his eyes, giving little hiccups. “Or maybe you’d have been happier.”

“Believe it or not, I… I am happy, Fabio.”

“How can you be?” He stares at me like I’m insane. “After what you did, how can you be happy?”

“Because you’re okay. I’m happy because you’re safe and you’re going to be healthy again.” I let out a shaky breath. “And there’s more to the story. You only heard the bad parts, but there are good parts too.”

He blinks at me, eyes red-rimmed. “How can there be any good in this?”

“Well, the alpha, Marcello, he… we… we’ve actually fallen in love.” My face is warm as I hold his bewildered gaze.

“How’s that possible?” he mutters. “He bought you.”

I grimace. “Yes. I know. I absolutely get what you’re saying. And if I’m honest, it didn’t start out that great. I wouldn’t have believed Marcello was someone I could love. In fact, when I first met him, I didn’t like him. He was arrogant and selfish.”

“Of course he was,” rumbles Fabio. “Any alpha who thinks they can buy and impregnate an omega would have to be arrogant.”

“I agree. But let’s not forget, I entered into the contract willingly.” I take his chilled hands in mine. “And once I got to know him better, or more to the point, once he gave me his bite, he became a different man. He changed.”

Fabio looks unconvinced. “Just like that?”

“It was very fast, yeah. The bite and bond brought us closer almost immediately.”

He frowns. “But it’s still a business deal, right?”

I shake my head. “No. He tore up the contract.”

“He tore it up?” He bugs his eyes.