Page 96 of Less

Something inside me shatters.

Because all these years—all these years—this beautiful, damaged man truly believed he was protecting me.

He really thought he wasn't good enough.

Worthy enough.

Clean enough.

And meanwhile?

I was dying without him.

“Alessio.”

He won't look at me.

“I was broken, Rusty. But I swear I got help, therapy—and I know you might not believe me but the work I do now? It’s nothing like that.”

“Less, look at me.”

He shakes his head.

“No. Not until I can make you understand⁠—”

“Alessio, look at me.”

Slowly—reluctantly—those dark eyes meet mine.

Filled with pain.

Filled with shame.

Filled with fear.

“You stupid man,” I whisper.

He flinches.

And immediately I cup his face.

“No. No, don't you dare turn away from me.”

Fresh tears fall down his cheeks.

“You don't understand⁠—”

“I understand perfectly.”

My voice breaks.

“You saw horrible things.”

“No, Sweetheart, I did horrible things. Fuck, you don't know the half of what I did.”

“That wasn’t you, Less.”

I shake my head.