Silent Vows

“I didn’t know what to believe.” Her voice shook. “You’ve kept secrets from the beginning. How am I supposed to trust anything you say?”

“Because he’s the one manipulating you!” Anastasia’s voice cracked, raw with betrayal. “Just like you have from the beginning!”

Jihoon’s expression darkened. “You don’t mean that.”

“I do!” She shoved past him, her hands trembling. “I hate you for making me believe this was real. I hate hat you kissed me like it meant something. And I hate that I was stupid enough to fall for it!”

Her breath hitched, tears spilling over despite her furious swipe at them.

Jihoon went still. His voice dropped, dangerous and quiet. “If you hate me so much, why are you crying?”

“Because I hate that you’re making me fall in love with you!” The words tore out of her, sharp and broken.

Silence.

Then he was on her in three strides, his hands framing her face, his mouth crashing down on hers. The kiss was desperate, punishing—a clash of teeth and heat and the salt of her tears. She gasped against his lips, her fingers twisting in his shirt, pulling him closer even as she wanted to shove him away.

When he finally pulled back, his breath ragged, his forehead pressed to hers. “Then stay,” he growled. “Stay and hate me. Stay and fight me. But don’t you dare walk away from me.”