Page 79 of Vow of Darkness
“I’m happy that you didn’t die,” she sobs. “I didn’t want to lose you. I don’t want to lose you.”
“You didn’t lose me,” I say with a chuckle. I never thought Aurora would be crying over me like this but here she is, doing exactly that. “And I didn’t lose you. That’s what matters.”
“You were shot in the chest and still had the strength to save me. That means everything.”
“I know I don’t ever want to let you go again. A part of me wants to lock you up so you can’t ever get hurt but… I know I can’t do that. If I want you in my life, I have to let you go.”
She pulls back from me. “What do you mean by that?”
“I mean… I want to be selfish. I want to lock you away for my own feelings. But you need freedom. I know that. You deserve to see your father without me hovering over you. You deserve more than me. I’m the reason you were put in danger in the first place. I don’t want you to resent me for that. So if pulling back a little means you’ll stay with me, then I’ll do it.”
“But you’re pushing me away because you’re scared. You feel bad that I got hurt but it wasn’t your fault, Gabriel. Giovanni wasn’t your fault.”
“I forced you into this marriage.”
She breathes out heavily. “I know you did. But I accepted it. And now I don’t want to be with anyone else. Don’t push me away because you’re scared of me getting hurt again.”
“I need you to choose me for me. Not because I forced you into this life. Almost losing you made me realize that. I want you to want me.”
“I do want you.”
“You know what I mean. You should spend some time with you father. Away from me. And then if you want, return to me. But I can’t be a selfish asshole when it comes to you anymore. Not if it leads to you getting hurt.”
“You’re pushing me away because you’re scared.”
“I’m giving you your freedom,” I force myself to say. “That’s not pushing you away.”
“It is when you’re doing it out of fear because you almost just lost me.”
I have to brace myself for what I’m about to say next. “I’ll take you back to your father. And then you can decide what you want. I need you to choose a life with me of your own accord. I can’t keep you as a prisoner.”
“But I haven’t been your prisoner for a long time.”
“We both need this, Aurora. I think you know it.”
“Why are you acting all selfless right now? After all this time?”
I huff. “Because I learned it from you. You’re the most selfless person I have ever met. And because of me, you were hurt. I can’t keep you close to me unless you choose it for yourself. So come back to me if that’s what you want. But I’m letting you go. If it means keeping you safe, that’s what I’ll do.”
She shakes her head as tears stream down her face. “Gabriel…”
“We both know I’m right. We both know it. Now, I’ll take you to your father. I know you want to see him.”
“I do,” she admits through her tears.
It’s breaking my heart doing this to her but I know it’s for the best. After how I treated Aurora, she deserves her freedom. She deserves to make her own choices.
I can’t be a selfish possessive asshole when it comes to her anymore.
Aurora is silent on the drive to her father’s house. Neither one of us knows what to say to the other.
“I guess this is goodbye,” she murmurs once we’re parked outside the small cottage.
“If you want to return to me, then do so. But only if you truly want it. I’ll always keep you safe and if that means keeping you away from me, then I’ll do it.”
She looks into my eyes for a long moment before giving me a small kiss. It lingers for just a moment before she pulls away and gets out of the car. I watch her knock on the door and watch as her father opens it, pulling her into a hug. The light in both of their eyes.
And I drive away, knowing this is for the best, even if it’s breaking my cold, dark heart.
