Broken Kingdom (Royal Hearts Academy #4)(111)

I didn’t want to be the one to rip his heart out.

The princess turned wicked villain in his story.

Looking back, I should have ended things between us a long time ago.

But I didn’t, because I was scared of hurting him.

Scared of letting him go because our relationship had gotten complacent and comfortable.

Until Oakley showed up and flipped everything on its head because I realized what I’d been missing and felt this intense connection tethering me to him in my marrow.

I hand Stone back his ring. “Give this to someone who deserves it.”

Someone who won’t hurt him.

Eyes going wide, Stone starts pacing. “I did everything for you.” The glare he shoots me is almost threatening. “I loved you, asked you to spend the rest of your life with me…and you fucking cheated on me with that lowlife junkie. What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“Stone,” I warn, the tiny hairs on my arms standing on end. “I get that you’re upset, but talking shit about Oakley won’t change—”

“Don’t you fucking say his name.” He punches the wall beside my head. “Don’t you dare fucking say his name like he means something. He means nothing, and he is no one.” He points at his chest. “Because I picked up your fucked-up pieces and made you a better person while that crackhead loser was stuck in a jail cell for killing an innocent girl.” He shrugs helplessly. “I’m the one who was there for you. The one who did everything for you.”

There’s no use arguing with him. He’s upset and lashing out.

Which means he can’t see past his own tunnel vision.

“I’m sorry.”

He shakes his head, his dark eyes glistening with tears. “That’s the thing, Bourne. I don’t think you are.” Anger illuminates his features. “God, I let you inside my head…inside my heart. You were nothing but a poisonous, worthless cunt who deserved to die…but I craved you. Goddammit, I fucking craved you.” He grips my chin forcefully. “And then I got you…and you sucked the life out of me until you broke me.”

My chest sinks with remorse. Watching him unravel like this hurts far worse than I expected it to.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” I whisper. “I care—

“No, you don’t.” He jabs his head with his pointer finger. “You don’t fucking care about me.”

“Yes—”

Words die in my throat when he pulls a knife out of his pocket. “Then prove it.” He holds the blade up to his jugular. “Prove it or I’ll slit my goddamn throat and end it.”

My stomach cramps up and the room starts spinning.

He’s found my Achilles’ heel.

Because he knows the thought of losing another person I care about to suicide would utterly destroy me, and I’ll do literally anything to prevent that from happening.

“Stone,” I say slowly. “Please, put the knife down. Harming yourself isn’t the answer. You have people who love you. People who care—”

“Prove you’re still one of them.” He presses the blade deeper against his skin, challenging me. “Or else.”

I know enough about psychology to know there’s a certain approach you have to take with someone who’s reached their breaking point.

Right now, he needs to feel like he’s in control.

That he’s not losing everything.

That his life didn’t end just because our relationship did.

“What do you need?”

His answer is automatic. “I need you to call that piece of shit and end it with him for good.” His nostrils flare. “Right fucking now.”

I look down at the phone in my hand. “Okay. I can do that.”

I start to dial 911, hoping they’ll overhear our conversation and send help, but Stone’s already onto me.

“Goodbye, Bi—”

“No,” I quickly say. “I’ll do it.”

“Tell him we’re eloping tonight,” he demands. “That you made a mistake and can’t be with a killer.”

For a moment, I honestly consider not doing what he wants because the thought of saying that to the man I love is…

A shudder rolls through me.

Stone’s sick and he needs help.

After I get him that help, I can explain everything to Oakley.

Oakley picks up after the second ring. “Hey.”

I force myself to remain detached and unaffected because Stone’s eyeing me like a hawk. “I can’t do this anymore.”

Oakley sounds so confused, it breaks my heart. “What—”

I don’t let him get a word in because it will only make it hurt worse. “I can’t…I’m in love with Stone. What happened between us was a mistake.”

I can hear his sharp inhale of breath over the extension. “You don’t mean that.”

“Yes, I do.” I try to ignore the way my heart pinches. “But even if I didn’t love Stone, I can’t be with a killer.”

Oakley goes silent.

Stone narrows his eyes, urging me to say the rest.

“We’re eloping tonight, putting everything behind us and starting fresh. Please don’t contact me again, Oak.”