20 Days In His Bedroom

Chapter Fifty five

"Twyla," Kyle said suddenly, his voice dropping serious and low, like he was about to reveal something heavy. "Enough with the jokes and pretending to be drunk when you haven't even touched a drop. I want to talk to you—seriously."

I froze. His tone wasn't playful anymore. It was serious, raw. My heart thudded hard. Was he about to hurt me—emotionally? Physically? I didn't know what to expect.

"What?" I hesitated, my voice barely a whisper. Inside, a storm of anxiety swirled. I wasn't sure if I really wanted to hear what he had to say. Part of me wanted to run away, hide, pretend none of this was happening.

"You know I've loved you, right?" he asked, his eyes searching mine.

I simply nodded. That wasn't the whole story, I was sure. There was more. Always more with Kyle.

"You have the right to know some things—so you can decide if you want to love me back or not," he said, exhaling sharply. "God, I thought it would be easier to say this, but... no. Anyway, you should know I'm not the best man. Not even close. But I've changed—a lot. Still, maybe you need to hear some of my past. I know the past is the past, but... I don't know. I feel like I need to get it off my chest."

I wanted to stop him. I wanted to tell him not to say anything. But at the same time, a curious part of me ached to understand him more. So I stayed silent.

"I dated a lot of girls," he started, voice heavy. "Slept with many—yeah, random girls, unfortunately. I drank too much. My relationship with my parents... it's toxic. I fought with my dad. And my dad? He's got enemies everywhere. I don't know if you'd be safe with me. Honestly, I'm not good enough for you. I won't deny that."

His words felt like punches. But then he softened. "But I loved you. The moment I saw you, you grabbed my attention. You were like a scared little girl, afraid of everything. At one point, I wanted to hold you, just to comfort you, make the flight easier."

His breath hitched. I felt a flutter in my stomach. The vulnerability in his voice surprised me. "But after everything... believe me, I never meant to trap you with me in that hotel room. I never expected to fall for you."

A sudden sadness washed over me. Maybe he didn't want me. Maybe I was just an annoying distraction to him.

"Then, you became my routine. My constant. I started feeling things... feelings that were different. Stronger than anything I'd felt before with..." He trailed off.

My heart shattered. He loved someone else before me. Did he use me to forget her? No, no, I told myself. I knew I wouldn't have everything. He was a stranger, after all. We were different worlds. I deserved better. But damn it, I loved him.

"Three years ago, I met a girl in a bar," he continued, voice thick with pain. "She was beautiful. Her eyes... intense. I couldn't look away. She came and sat next to me. We talked. Her life was a mess—a complete disaster. I paid her bills, bought her a new car. I wanted to make her dreams real."

He looked down, disappointment heavy on his face. I felt a sharp pang of jealousy mixed with pity. "That was three years ago?"

He nodded. "So I'm not just a replacement, right?"

I bit my lips, unsure what to say. "What happened? Did she leave?"

"My dad's enemies found out about her and paid her to use me. She took everything—money, trust—and left. I felt worthless. Stupid. I believed her. Never thought she could betray me like that. Dad was disappointed in me. I don't know who to blame. Him for making me prey to his enemies? Or me for letting them win? I have all the money I could want. I live like a king. But I want peace. I want a safe life, without suspicion in my heart. I don't trust anyone—literally anyone."

A tear slipped from his eye. My heart clenched. I hated seeing him like this—broken, scared.

"Kyle, you have me now. I'm here. Always," I whispered, reaching out but unsure if I could really comfort him.

He looked up, eyes glassy. "Do you love me, Twyla?" he asked quietly.

I didn't answer right away. My throat felt tight. But finally, I whispered, "Yes."

He nodded, almost sadly. "I love you, too. But I think you deserve better. Someone safer. Someone you can feel comfortable with."

I shook my head. "No. I want you. None of that matters."

He sighed, bitter. "Soon, you'll change your mind. You're so innocent. I could've given you so much more before. But maybe what happened... broke something inside me. I'm afraid of being broken again."

I wiped the tears from my cheeks, trying to be strong. "I need to go home," I said softly.

"Sure," he nodded, understanding without a word. He placed some cash on the table.

He gave me a ride home. The silence between us was thick. Neither of us spoke.

When I reached my door, I slipped out without a word.

Inside, tears fell freely. He hurt me—on my birthday night, no less. Did he really love me? If he did, why say those things? Why act like he was ready to give up?

I cried for a long time. Because I loved him. But maybe, just maybe, he wasn't ready to fight for me. Maybe we weren't meant to be.

Who was I to ask a handsome, wealthy man like Kyle to choose me? Maybe I wasn't enough. Maybe we were just not right for each other.

⸻

Author's Note:
What do you think of this chapter?
How do you feel about the new cover?
Don't forget to vote and comment — it means the world to me!