The Sweetest Temptation
Chapter 200: Trust

Chapter 200: Trust

"Everything was real, little mouse. Damn it." He angrily ran his fingers through his hair, yanking at the roots out of frustration.

Her stomach plummeted to the floor, a sinking feeling taking hold.

"I got scared, Beatrix. I just discovered that everything was a lie. I panicked"

She raised her hands to cover her face, squeezing her eyes shut as tears began to well up. She pleaded, "Stop it. Please. I can’t bear to listen to your lies."

It was so cruel, hearing the words she desperately wanted to hear and now finding it hard to believe them.

"I know I don’t deserve your attention," he moved closer, and although she wanted to recoil, she felt paralyzed by the internal struggle.

"But you deserve to hear this. You deserve to know how much you mean to me... Please, look at me, Beatrix. I’m begging you. Hear me out, and then I’ll retreat to my room. Tomorrow morning, I’ll leave, and you won’t have to see me again."

This wasn’t fair. He shouldn’t be saying all of this now.

"I don’t believe you, I can’t," she shook her head, trying to hold back the intensified emotions since the last time she saw him. "You don’t mean it, please leave."

"I made that mistake once—I won’t do it again," he argued, his eyes burning into her face. His voice was weak, but there was no trace of doubt in it. "I need you to look at me, so you know I mean it. You don’t have to want me back, you don’t have to say anything, but I can’t let you believe you aren’t everything to me."

Unable to refuse him while meeting his gaze, she couldn’t deny her desire for him. After these past weeks, she lacked the strength to bury her feelings and pretend they weren’t there.

She didn’t have the fight in her to lock away her emotions and act as if they didn’t exist.

Part of her wanted to cover her ears, while the other half was torn apart, yearning to listen.

Slowly, she lowered her hands from her face, taking a deep breath to prevent tears from streaming the moment she looked at him.

His expression contorted with pain as his eyes swept over her face, and instinctively, he reached out to take her hand.

But he stopped himself, pulling his hand back as if he had been shocked, and panicked, he apologized, "Sorry, damn it—I didn’t mean to try and touch you. I wasn’t thinking, I’m sorry."

Beatrix felt a mix of confusion and longing as she witnessed Rhys retract his hand. Her heart ached at his torment, realizing that her feelings for him hadn’t diminished despite everything. She could discern the sincerity in his eyes, hear the desperation in his voice.

"It’s alright," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "You can touch me if you want."

Rhys seemed hesitant for a moment, his gaze flickering between her and the space where his hand had hesitated. Slowly, as if testing the waters, he reached out again, this time gently clasping her hand in his. A shiver ran through her at the touch, igniting a spark of warmth deep within her.

He held her hand tenderly, his touch both comforting and electric. The room faded away as they stood there, their eyes locked, their hands intertwined. It was as if the world had paused, granting them a moment of solace amidst the chaos.

"I never meant to hurt you, I truly didn’t, and I would do anything to take it back," he said, remorse creasing his brow. "I’d do anything to make it up to you."

Rhys spoke softly, his voice filled with regret. "I was foolish to let my fears consume me. But I’m here now, telling you the truth because I can’t bear to lose you. Beatrix, I love you with all my heart."

His words carried a profound sincerity, but he seemed scared of the vulnerability they revealed.

Beatrix bit her lip, her breath catching in her nose as tears blurred her vision.

She desperately wanted to believe him. It tore at her, the agonizing conflict between her yearning to trust him and the reasons why she shouldn’t.

"I know I may not be able to fix this, and I understand if you don’t trust me," he continued, his breath growing shallow as he held her hands tighter.

Witnessing Rhys’ pained expression, tears welling in his eyes as his chin trembled and his voice cracked, he pleaded, "Please, don’t hate me anymore."

Her chest felt like it was splintering, every organ twisted in agony as she observed his shoulders shake, his hands covering his face to muffle his cries. "I can’t bear your hatred," he said.

Without thinking, she crouched beside him, cupping his cheeks in her palms.

"I don’t hate you," she struggled to say, ensuring he heard the sincerity in her voice. "I could never hate you, Rhys. Never."

He looked up at her, his voice trembling, "R-really?"

Beatrix offered him a soft smile, "Yes."

As she spoke, she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a hug.

Rhys melted into her embrace, his arms clinging tightly to her as he buried his head against her shoulder.

Closing her eyes tightly, tears streamed down her face as she rested her cheek against the top of his head. It pained her to feel his back muscles tense and jerk as he fought back his tears.

Gasping for breath, Rhys held onto her, gripping her tightly.

She knew she shouldn’t want any of this, but feeling him wrapped around her felt like the relief of someone releasing her arm after it had been twisted behind her back for weeks.

He mumbled shakily against her hair, his arms squeezing her tightly. "I messed up... I’m so sorry for hurting you. Please, love, let me show you I mean it, please."

She bit her lip hard, her chin trembling as her brain screamed all the reasons why she shouldn’t follow her heart’s plea.

"I don’t deserve a chance with you," he whispered against her hair, pressing his lips to it, unwilling to let her go. "But take a risk with me, and I’ll prove everything I’ve said. I’ll prove you can trust me."

Beatrix stood at a crossroads, faced with a decision much like the day she chose both of them. She didn’t know if it would turn out to be the best decision or the worst mistake she had ever made. But her heart made the choice before her brain could even respond.

She scolded herself, feeling foolish.

"Well I’m stupidly in love with you, I guess I don’t have a choice. I will take the risk."

A/N: Happy 200 Chapters! I’m so good at starting books have the idea but at the end I struggle hahaha but it seems I’m doing well with this one? No? Tell me what you think!

Also my new book please add it to your library. The Earl’s Deception. Thank you!