The Mighty Storm (Raura Revised)

Chapter 60

Chapter 60

He steps back, looking like I've just slapped him.

I wish I had.

"You have to believe me," he says quieter, his voice breaking. "Please, Laura. You have to."

I'm panting for breath so hard I feel like my lungs are going to explode. I clutch my hand to it, the one still holding the skirt, trying to steady my breathing.

"I don't have to do a goddamn thing," I say low, wiping the still running tears from my face with the palm of my hand.

"I can't lose you, Laura. Please."

He reaches for me again, but I step out of his reach.

"Get away from me!" I cry. "I don't want you near me ever again! And you don't want to lose me? Well you should have thought of that before you went on your bender with your tramp!"

I drop the skirt in the case. Then I go to the drawers and get my underwear out.

"But you said you'd move to LA. We're supposed to be living together. You promised me you would never leave me."

I laugh bitterly, finally bringing myself to look at him. And when my eyes meet with him, all I feel is anger and pain lance straight through me.

"Yeah well things change," I say calmly, using his own words from last night against him. "You changed everything forever the second you let her into our bed." It hurts so very badly to say the words out loud.

"I didn't–"

"I DON'T BELIEVE YOU!" I scream at him again.

Pausing for a moment, with my hands on either side of the open drawer, I cling to it for support.

Then after a few silent seconds, I carry on packing my things into my case.

Ross stands here, his hands in his hair, eyes fixed on my every movement.

I just wish he'd go. I don't want him anywhere near me.

When I've got most of my clothes and can no longer stand to have him here watching me, I drag my suitcase past him and into to the bedroom.

Ross follows me.

I leave my suitcase on the bedroom floor and go into the bathroom. I quickly gather my toiletries up and come back into the bedroom to find Ross standing beside my case.

Ignoring him, I dump my things in and zip it up. I don't think I've ever packed so quickly in my life.

I stand my case upright, ready to leave.

Ross moves before me. I drag my tear stained eyes up to his.

He's crying.

I watch as he rubs his tears roughly from his face with his hand. I've never seen Ross cry before. It hurts my heart so much.

"Please don't go. Just stay, talk to me, we can work this out. I know we can. I would never cheat on you – I swear to you. Just believe me, please. I love you so much. You're the only person I've ever loved. And I know I've screwed up with the drugs, but I would never cheat on you. You're my best friend. You're my everything." His voice is broken, just like my heart.

For a tiny moment, I feel a wobble.

I could stay, we could work this out. Maybe this pain will stop, if I stay with him. Maybe he can fix this.

No. He's had sex with another woman. It's too late.

Wordlessly, I walk away from him and go back into the closet, to get my passport from the safe.