beneath my feet felt unsteady. Through a haze, I heard the rain striking the window as the torturous seconds seemed to drag on for an eternity.
“I’m sorry.” He looked at me, his dark eyes full of pain. “Your father’s scandal—”
“Do you know what he did?”
“I can’t stop the story from running.”
I shook my head. “What is this place?”
Damien seemed to realize my insinuation. “Theo uses it more than me.”
“When was the last time you were here?”
“Can’t remember.”
“Tell me!”
“A month, something like that.”
I pointed to the bathroom. “Are those your condoms?”
He stepped closer. “Don’t accuse me of being that man.”
“What kind of man are you? A man who always does what his father asks?”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’ll visit you.”
“And what? You and I will never be seen in public together again?” My chest tightened as I struggled to control my emotions. “You’re breaking off our engagement?”
“You and I are still very much together.”
“You’re denying me in front of the world because of something my father did twenty years ago?”
“We have to keep our heads down until this is over.”
“It will never be over.”
“In four years—”
“Your dad will run for another term!”
“This place is temporary. They won’t look for you here.”
“You’re keeping me in your fuck pad?”
His eyes widened as though realizing what he’d done.
I’d never be anything more than a lover he couldn’t acknowledge.
He was destined to marry someone else, someone good for their image.
In the meantime, my father’s reputation would be decimated, his career in politics sabotaged by misconduct committed ages ago—a stain permanently on our name and a dynasty sacrificed so that the Godmans could rule.
What had Madeline called herself? Collateral damage.
“You expect me to stand by and let you do this to my family?” I whispered.
He sighed. “What else can you do?”
“You underestimate me.” I swallowed hard. “Did you ever love me?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Do you love me now?” My hand shot up when he moved closer. “Stay there.”
“I’ll always love you.”
“This is the first time you’ve ever said it.”
“You told me you wanted out. I was waiting to see if you changed your mind.”
“Tell me when you last fucked a woman here.”
“Don’t.”
“I want to know.” Needed to know.
He ran a hand through his hair. “We’re not having this discussion.”
“Last week?”
“I haven’t slept with anyone since you and I were thrown into a fake relationship.” He shook his head. “It wouldn’t have looked good.”
I reached for my handbag, my fingers fumbling for my phone. “I need to know what they’re saying about me.”
“The news isn’t out yet. Just speculation. My father is working on damage control.”
“I’m a liability?”
All of this was being done in backroom negotiations. This was why Theo didn’t want me looking at my phone. My parents would demand my return home.
“Have you talked with my dad?” I asked.
“It will happen tonight.”
“With me?”
“No, just your parents and me. A meeting at their place.”
“A meeting? I should be there.”
“Let me handle this.”
“What about what I want?”
“I have to prove to them I’m worthy of you. Give me the chance to show them I’m willing to fight for you.”
Shaking my head, I tried to fathom how our paradise had turned into a personal hell. “It’s decided then.”
“This is a machine, Pandora. It’s bigger than both of us. The stakes are incredibly high. We’re talking human rights. The environment. Health care for all. Freeing those wrongly imprisoned. We’re talking about millions of lives affected for the better if my father gets elected.”
“My father has so much to offer, too.”
“I don’t disagree.”
“I have to think of who else might benefit…” My eyes widened at a sudden realization. “He promised you the Fairfield Project would resume if you ended us.”
“Yes, but—”
“You get what you wanted. You all get what you want.”
Except me.
“Lay low. That’s all I am asking of you. Until I figure this out.”
“I will not stand by while my family is destroyed.”
“This is why our families have never agreed in the past. Only one can rule.”
I grabbed my bag and ran for the door.
He caught me by my wrist and walked me backwards until I hit the wall, my bag dropping to the floor. He towered over me, his lips hovering dangerously close to mine.
I peered up at him. “Are we really over?”
“I will find a way. I need you to believe me.”
“After the media has thrown us to the wolves, my life will be over.”
He pulled me into a hug. “Listen to me, I will not give up on us. Not now, not ever. Stay