Page 64 of ’Til You Break

“Please, Vik, don’t do this.” Her voice trembles. “You’re just putting yourself in danger.”

“I’m not the one who should be scared, Hannah.”

It hurts hearing the fear in her voice. I’m grateful I can’t see her face. I don’t think I could bear it.

Not for her. Not for me. Not for everything we’ve become.

What’s done is done and I’ll see this through.

I can only hope she’ll forgive me when it’s over.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Hannah

After his confession, Vik gives me space. He goes back to his room.

I understood what he was trying to say without him needing to explain it. If I want to leave, I can. He won’t stop me again.

If I had any sense, I’d run away and never look back. I’d turn my fear of Vik—of his mask—into hatred that keeps me far away from this place.

But I can’t bring myself to leave him.

Not now.

Maybe not ever.

Weeks of misunderstanding and getting everything wrong between us came to an end in a matter of days because we finally opened up to each other. I shared the darkest part of my life with him, and he didn’t turn away from me like so many others had.

He embraced it.

And while our situations are completely different, I want to do the same for him. I want to be there when he needs me most and help him through this without resorting to more violence.

Some foolish part of me believes I can actually do it. Convince him not to kill the three men who ruined his life. Show him there’s another way.

Because as twisted as it is, without them, Vik and I would’ve never reached this point. I’d hate for them to be the reason we lose it.

So, with that in mind, after taking an hour to clear my head, I slip back into his room.

The door is open. Vik is staring at the ceiling while Muffin sleeps between his legs. He doesn’t move when I step inside. He’s so lost in thought that I don’t think he realizes I’m here.

“Hey,” I say.

He blinks twice before turning his head towards me.

“Hey.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Fine.”

He pats the bed and I walk over.

“What about you?”

“Could be worse.”

In many ways, it’s true. But this isn’t the time to feel sorry for myself. Right now, I need to be here for him. If I can, maybe I still have a chance to convince him not to go through with this.