Page 309 of Coal Hearts

My lips twitched, but I didn’t rise to her bait. “I thought it was obvious. It is to everyone else.”

Her nose wrinkled.

Dropping to my knees before her, I ran my knuckles over her perfect, slightly sweaty cheek. “No guesses? No theories?”

Ripping her face from my touch, she glowered. “I would’ve said your brother...but you proved that wasn’t the case.”

Temper sparked just a little. “That was a stupid little stunt you pulled in Victor’s office, by the way. Telling Q your name. Where your father works.” I pouted. “He learned your full name before I did.”

“Did you stop to think it might be because he deserves it and you don’t?”

“It doesn’t matter anyway.” I sighed. “He told me he’s been trying to bring Victor down for years. He’s not been able to before, and he won’t be able to in the future. The best he can do is tell your parents you’re alive and belong to me.”

She shivered as if her body couldn’t handle the level of her loathing.

She didn’t speak.

I tried to smooth the thorns between us.

“Sharma.” Leaning close, I sniffed the sweet fragrance of her skin. “Ilyana Sharma. Is that Indian? Was that what you were speaking on the cross? Hindi? Why do you have a wand on your back?”

She cringed away. “You lost any right to ask me questions the day you lied to me.”

“You’re the one who jumped to conclusions.”

“You’re the one who let me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, you’re not.”

I huffed. “You’ll want to talk to me one day, you know. To share your family with me. Your childhood and all the moments that made up your life before we met.”

“Doubt it.”

“We’re stuck with each other. Together, remember. Forever, actually. I was literally just thinking our relationship is almost like a marriage—”

“A what now?” She coughed, but her cheeks pinked. “You...you think I’m your wife?”

“Would that be so bad? I’m aware I’ll never get a wife the usual way, and...I rather fancy playing the fantasy that you’re mine in that way. Monogamy would be rare in this place, but I’m far more drawn to the thought of never sharing you than I am—”

“Wow, you poor, deluded fool.” She shook her head, her eyes narrowed and nasty.

I reared back, instantly on the defensive. “What was that for?”

Tears sparkled in her stare, but they didn’t fall. “Do you truly think others won’t fuck me? Won’t abuse me? What about the day you grow bored of me, huh? Bored of cutting me and bruising me and move on to another pitiful jewel? Do you honestly think we’re in some sort of relationship? God!” She threw her hands at the sky. “You’re crazy. I knew it. You’re—” Her wild gaze fell to my upper thigh where my scar hid beneath black boxers. All her fury seemed to snuff out. “I take that back. No one should be called crazy. If Krish were here, he’d tell me how wrong I am to judge you. How I’m in no position to...” Her lips twisted as her eyes flickered with shame. “Y-You tried to kill yourself.”

I froze.

The change of subject threw me, but I nodded slowly. “I did.”

“Why?”

“Because I hurt someone against my will. Because I couldn’t live with the pain of what I am.”

She sniffed sadly. “Yet you’re okay with hurting me?”

I couldn’t hide my wince.