“Why do you have so much interest in my past?” His voice boomed across the room, making me flinch. “I’ve been hearing these questions the whole fucking day! Can’t you just get that I don’t want to talk about it? Leave my past the fuck alone!”

I stood still. Shock, surprise and hurt ran through me at once. He had never talked to me like that.

Seeing my shock, guilt washed over his face as he let out a curse, rubbing his face in frustration.

“Rosebud, I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry, baby.” His features were laced with agony. “I didn’t mean to shout at you. I just—I lost it.”

When he tried to reach me again, I took another step back.

“It’s all right, it can happen sometimes. I don’t mind. As long as you tell me the truth.”

Closing his eyes, he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Emerald, please stop it. I can’t.”

Even I couldn’t. As selfish as it sounded, he didn’t know what dagger we had dangling on our necks. To truly start our life together and defeat Arthur, I needed the truth.

“I won’t. You’ve kept me in the dark for seven years and it made both of us suffer. I won’t let you do it again. Tell me, Ace. Please, I beg—”

“Oh, for God’s sake! Stop it! Don’t be so fucking stubborn, Emerald! I told you everything you needed to know. You don’t need to know anymore. So let’s just keep it that way! It’ll be good for both of us!”

Before I could say anything else, he stormed out of the gym, slamming the door behind him.

I just stood there silently. So many questions were swirling inside my head like a wildfire. But I had no answers.

I walked back to the bedroom again. Leaving the door ajar, I sat on the bed.

A sigh left me as I glanced at the clock.

One in the morning.

After our fight, he left the penthouse before I could even come out of the gym. I knew he wasn’t returning for a few hours.

Where did he go?

Now that I calmed down a little, I realized how harsh I was with him. I knew how sensitive this matter was for him, but I continued to poke him. Nagged him for answers. I should’ve just given him some time instead of snapping at him.

How could I be so careless?

It was the fear of Arthur harming him and the desperation of throwing him out of our lives. And now, seeing how much the truth was affecting him, I needed to know everything even more. I wanted to heal his wounds. I wanted to comfort him, tell him I was there with him, that I understand. But how could I if he wouldn’t let me in completely?