The Sweetest Temptation
Chapter 195: Confrontation

Chapter 195: Confrontation

It had been quite some time since Beatrix had last laid eyes on Rhys in person. But now, seeing him again, it was an overwhelming experience.

The intensity of his presence hit her deeply, stirring up a mix of emotions, both beautiful and horrifying.

His eyes, his face compelled her to take an instinctive step towards him, only to restrain herself at the last moment.

A sense of suffocation washed over her, as if the air around her was thinning and her chest was tightening. Reminding her to hide, however, her feet remained stubbornly planted where they were.

Is this some kind of illusion? she wondered, searching for a rational explanation.

She tightly shut her eyes, silently counted to ten, and opened them again.

To her surprise, he was still there, standing in front of her.

Her panic surged stronger than ever.

"Hey," he spoke softly.

The sound of his voice made her flinch. If merely seeing him was like a punch to the gut, hearing him speak was like being violently struck by a truck.

"What is it that you want,Rhys?" Her voice came across as harsh and sharp, completely devoid of any hint of fondness. There was not even a trace of warmth in her tone as she spoke. "I’m busy ; I don’t have the time for this."

He flinched at her tone, clearly affected by her harsh tone.

Rhys awkwardly put his hands in his pockets, his throat visibly constricting as he swallowed hard. Uncertainty flickered in his eyes as he searched her face, hoping for something she wasn’t ready to offer. In all the time she had known him, she had never seen him so nervous. "I’m here for you."

"You don’t need me anymore," she almost whispered, struggling to hear her own words over the thunderous pounding of her heartbeat.

He stammered, "I... I just wanted to see if you’d give me five minutes, when you have the time -- I know I don’t deserve it, but I wanted to explain some things if you’d let me."

The discomfort overwhelmed him, causing him to feel as though he could crawl out of his own skin.

Beatrix crossed her arms in front of herself and responded, "There’s nothing to explain. You made yourself pretty clear. You’ve gotten your revenge or the closure you wanted. Now it’s time to move on."

Although her words sliced through him, he couldn’t help but watch her lips and feel a profound ache throughout his entire body, a reminder of how much he missed them

Pain slashed across his face. "I can’t move on, love. This is just me, asking you for...not forgiveness, not right now.

But I hope that one day, you won’t hate me and we might get a second chance." He swallowed hard.

Love. It used be her favorite endearment but now she hated it so much.

"Forgiveness?" Beatrix scoffed.

"It’s a little late for that, don’t you think? You made everything perfectly clear that day. There’s no need to ask for forgiveness when you are telling the truth."

Rhys shook his head, feeling like his throat was going to swell shut.

"I wasn’t, little mouse-- That’s the problem, I wasn’t clear at all. I just want the chance to explain, please.

I don’t deserve your time, but I swear to god I’ll do everything I can to make it worth it."

Beatrix fidgeted for a moment as he saw her considering his offer. Her brows furrowed together and it was killing him that he was the reason for the frown on her face.

She looks at her toes as if she couldn’t bear to look at him and the hardness in her voice loses some of it’s edge,

"I did give you a chance... Remember?-- " her voice wailed slightly.

Almost as unbelievable as the small, shameful part of her that wanted to give him that second chance. Stay strong. He didn’t deserve her. She deserved better not a man who runs away at the slightest chance he gets.

Hopefully.

"I know." Rhys exhaled a shaky breath, his brows drawn tight over his eyes. He looked less polished than usual, with his rumpled hair and faint purple smudges beneath his eyes.

Beatrix wondered if he’d been getting enough sleep, then mentally kicked herself for caring. She knew he had been coming here for weeks now but she had been avoiding him like a plague now seeing him like this hurt so much

"I thought I was protecting you. That you were better off without me. After what happened with your dad—"

Beatrix didn’t say anything and he noticed her face flinch like she was in pain.

"I’ve missed you every single second since I walked out of your house, it felt like I was dying love, I’ve never felt pain like that. I have done nothing but think about you - - you might hate me but I’ve never hated myself more in my entire fucking life than hurting you - - I regret losing the only source of happiness in my life."

Rhys’ hands were trembling, and he was scared he was going to have a panic attack with how fast his pulse was racing as he wait unbearable seconds for any kind of reaction from her.

She still hadn’t look at him and he watched as she blinked as if trying to stop herself from crying.

Rhys would give anything to know what she was thinking right now. This was torture.

A torture he deserved.

"When will you stop lying to me?" She questioned as she finally lifted her gaze to meet his. His heart sank seeing the tears shimmering in her eyes.

Rhys flinched, his voice hoarsely, "I’m not lying. Everything was real. This is real. Fuck little mouse I love you—"

"Shut up! D-don’t call me that..just don’t."

She couldn’t stem the tide of tears gathering in her eyes now. Hearing him calling all these names were breaking down all the walls she had built these past few weeks.