Chased By My Billionaire Ex-husband
Chapter 145: I Don’t Want To Hurt Her

Chapter 145: I Don’t Want To Hurt Her

Evander’s POV

I inhaled deeply, trying to calm the storm within, and gently pushed her away, creating space between us. "Claire, please," I said again, my voice barely above a whisper this time.

She finally took a step back, her gaze searching mine, and for a moment, I thought she would leave. But when I turned to walk toward the tub, I could feel her eyes still on me, filled with concern.

As I reached the large tub, I leaned over and tested the water, now perfectly chilled. Without another word, I stepped into it, letting myself sink into the icy embrace. The cold shocked my senses, a much-needed relief against the heat burning through my body.

I submerged myself, hoping the water would extinguish the overwhelming sensations coursing through me. For a brief moment, the world went quiet, the muffled sound of water filling my ears as I stayed under.

When I surfaced, gasping for air, I leaned my head back against the edge of the tub, droplets trailing down my face. I closed my eyes, trying to steady my breathing.

"Evan..."

Claire’s voice was soft and laced with worry, broke through the silence. I opened my eyes to find her still there, standing at the doorway. She hadn’t left.

"Claire," I said, my voice firmer this time. "Didn’t I ask you to leave?" My eyes were red as my nerves were thumping in need.

"You are not okay," she replied, her tone resolute. "I can’t just walk away while you are like this."

Her words stirred something in me—frustration, affection, and the undeniable pull she always seemed to have on me. I clenched my fists beneath the water, willing myself to hold onto the last shred of control.

"You don’t understand," I said through gritted teeth. "Being near you right now... it’s not safe."

"Then let me help you," she insisted, taking a tentative step closer.

Her persistence sent another surge of heat through me, and I sank lower into the water, trying to distance myself. But deep down, I knew it was a losing battle.

Her words hung in the air, a dangerous temptation. She didn’t understand what she was doing to me—how her presence alone was unraveling the fragile control I was desperately clinging to.

"Claire," I said, my voice low and ragged, "I am asking you... one last time. Please leave."

But instead of listening, she stepped closer, her heels clicking softly against the tiled floor. Her gaze held mine, unwavering. "I won’t leave you like this, Evan. You are hurting, and I—"

"I am not hurting," I snapped, cutting her off, my frustration spilling over. "This isn’t something you can fix by staying. You’ll only make it worse."

Her eyes widened slightly, but she didn’t back away. "Worse?" she repeated, her voice trembling but still steady. "Evander, I am not afraid of you."

Her words pierced through me, leaving me breathless. How could she say that? How could she look at me—this broken and dangerous version of mine and not feel fear?

"You should be," I whispered, leaning forward in the tub, water sloshing around me as I gripped the edge. "I am repeating it again that I am not myself right now, Claire. I have been drugged, and every second you are here... it’s getting harder to hold back."

She stopped just a few feet away, her expression softening. "Then don’t hold back."

My heart slammed against my chest. Did she even realize what she was saying?

"Claire," I warned, my voice a growl, "don’t push me."

"I trust you," she said simply, her voice calm and unwavering.

Those three words shattered every wall I had built and every restraint I’d fought to maintain. She trusted me, even now, when I barely trusted myself. Even when I had done so many things to wrong her.

Before I could stop myself, I was out of the tub, water cascading down my body as I closed the distance between us in a single step. Her breath hitched as I stood before her, dripping wet, my heat radiating in the cold room.

"You have no idea what you are doing to me," I said, my voice low and strained. I took a deep breath and controlled my dirty urges.

"Claire, I..." I began as I tried hard to keep my emotions in check. "I know you want to help me, but I have already called the doctor. He should be on his way here by now."

I hoped my words would reassure her that she would understand I needed space. The last thing I wanted was to lose control and hurt her— not after everything we had been through.

She paused for a moment, her gaze softening as she looked at me. Then she stepped closer, her concern etched deeply on her face. "Ah! That’s great then," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "But seeing you like this, Evander... it pains me. I don’t want you to be hurt, especially not because of me."

"No! I am not!" I blurted out, the words escaping before I could stop them. I took a step closer, my wet hair dripping onto the floor as I stared into her eyes. "You will never hurt me, Claire. Never."

She looked startled by my sudden outburst, but I pressed on, needing her to understand. "In this world, I have been hurt so many times. People I trusted turned their backs on me. People I loved left me. But you..." My voice softened as I reached for her hand, my thumb brushing over her knuckles. "You have never hurt me. Not even once."

Her lips parted slightly, as though she wanted to say something, but no words came. Instead, she looked at me with those wide, expressive eyes that had always held the power to calm the storm inside me.

"Evander..." she whispered, her voice trembling.

I let out a shaky breath, my fingers tightening around hers. "Claire, you are the only thing in my life that makes sense."