For a moment, the world seemed to tilt.
“You’re asking me to betray everything I am,” I said, my voice barely more than a whisper.
“I’m asking you to stand with me,” he replied. “I love you. That hasn’t changed.”
A hollow laugh escaped me as I swung my legs off the bed and stood, needing distance. I dragged a hand through my hair, trying to steady the storm of emotions raging within me.
“You should have f*****g told me before,” I said, turning back to face him. “Before the dinners. Before I let you into my life. Before we f****d and damn sure before we f*****g marked each other.”
Pain flashed across his face. “I know. But I was afraid that if I told you too soon, I would lose you before we ever had the chance to be us.”
“You don’t get to make that choice for me,” I snapped. “My loyal
