Her Dirty Little Secret [R 18+]

25 | Our Hearts Grow

The pain was unbearable, like fire raging through my veins, my arms burned as if a thousand fire ants had burrowed beneath my skin. I whimpered, forcing my eyes open, slowly taking in the dim, suffocating room. The grip on my hand was tight, drawing my attention. My gaze locked onto Alaric's, his face hidden behind an unreadable mask. He didn't move, didn't speak.

Was this another cruel dream?

Tears welled up as I tried to block out the searing pain in my forearms. I focused on him, choking out the words, "You're here?"

"Are you?" His voice was hoarse, almost broken, as he leaned forward, squeezing my hand tighter. "For real this time, Vaela. Are you with me?" There was something in his tone—pain wrapped in distrust—that twisted deep inside me. His expression remained distant, guarded.

I tried to sit up, but agony ripped through my arms as soon as I pressed down to lift myself. My breath hitched. I stopped moving. 

"Always." Glancing away, I noticed the bandages wrapped tightly around my forearms, and an icy wave of realization hit me. The blood drained from my face. "What... what did I do?" I whispered, my voice barely audible as I turned back to him, terror rising.

"God, baby, you left me," Alaric breathed, his voice cracking with emotion. "For a moment, you were gone. Don't do that again. Never again, Vaela." His façade crumbled, raw emotion pouring through as he moved closer. His lips brushed over my damp eyelids and trembling lips. "Never again, baby."

I shook my head, a dull throb forming as the memory of our fight clawed its way back. I cried harder, shame flooding my senses. "I'm hurting you, Alaric... I'm not good for you."

His hands cupped my face, forcing my eyes to meet his. "You are everything, Vaela. Hurt me, destroy me, but never leave me. I won't survive a world without you." His lips crashed into mine, his words igniting my soul—a plea and a command all at once. "This is my punishment, Vaela. Watching you suffer is killing me. I did this."

No.

I saw the torment in his eyes, the guilt tearing him apart, blaming himself for my weakness. I couldn't let him carry that burden. "I'm the broken one, Alaric. I was weak."

His eyes filled with unshed tears, the dark depths swirling with agony. I had never imagined a man like him could cry—he was always so formidable. Yet in that warmly lit room, Alaric let me see him. "No, sweet girl. You were so strong. You came back to me... over and over again. I lost you so many times, Vaela. You coded three times." His voice cracked on the last words, and I could see the toll of it crushing him.

My eyes widened, horror and sorrow gripping my heart. "I'm sorry, Alaric." The thought of him watching me die, fighting to bring me back—I couldn't imagine the hell he'd endured. "I love you, Alaric, so much. It feels like I can finally breathe when I'm in your arms. I wish I could show you just how completely yours I am, and always have been... I never want to hurt you. Anyone but you."