Heartbeat // JK

31- The Breaking Point

The room was quiet.

Not peaceful.
Tense.
Loaded.

We'd both showered.
I wore one of my oversized shirts and a short. He hadn't even changed yet — just stood by the dresser, towel in hand, jaw locked tight.

He hadn't looked at me since we walked in.
And I hadn't asked him to.

I sat on the edge of the bed.
Wet hair down my back.
Fingers curled into the sheets.

And then I broke the silence.

"I needed you."

He didn't move.
Didn't look at me.

"Back there," I said, voice quieter now.

"When she was tearing me apart. I needed you."

His jaw twitched.

"What did you want me to do?"

I blinked.

"She was throwing out accusations. She was unhinged," he said, low.

Measured.
Almost too measured.

"If I jumped in, it would've added fuel to the fire."

I stood up.

"You think defending me would've made it worse?"

"I think she wanted a reaction."

"She got one," I snapped.

"From everyone. Except you."

He turned to face me, finally — eyes tired, mouth drawn tight.

"She said things, Eva. About your past. About who you used to be. And you..."

He stopped. Shook his head.

"And I what?"

"You didn't deny any of it."

I stared at him. Heart slowing. Face flushing.
Like I'd been slapped.

"I didn't deny it," I repeated slowly.

"Because I told her things. In confidence. Years ago. As my best friend."

"You didn't tell me."

The words dropped like stones.
My chest squeezed.

"Oh so I just need to spill all of my wounds after less than a month of dating?!"

"I don't know," he said, voice rough now.

"I don't know what to think. You've never even mentioned your family—nothing. And now some girl shows up with all these receipts and you expect me not to wonder?"

"I expected you to trust me," I said, fire rising behind the tears.

"Just like I've trusted you. Through everything."

He didn't answer.

And that silence?
That was the crack.

I laughed — sharp and bitter.

"Wow. So that's all it takes? One jealous girl with a fake smile and a death wish, and suddenly I'm on trial?"

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to!" I shouted, voice finally breaking.

"You sat there and let her tear me apart because part of you — even just a little part — wanted to believe her."

He stepped forward, eyes dark.

"You're twisting everything."

"No," I whispered.