The Sweetest Temptation
Chapter 72: Questions

Chapter 72: Questions

Beatrix’s heart crushed hearing the vulnerability and pain in his voice. She wished she had the power to make all of his pains go away.

"Of course, I’m not leaving you Rhys and I’m not going to let you go,"

She said with determination, trying to control the tears that were threatening to spill down her cheeks.

She wanted him to know that she was here for him, no matter what. She was not going to leave him alone in this moment of weakness.

"I promise you, Rhys, that I will never let anyone hurt you again," Beatrix said with conviction, feeling a renewed sense of determination.

She wanted him to know that he has someone on his side, someone who will protect him and stand by him no matter what. She would do everything in her power to make sure that he never has to face pain and suffering again.

Beatrix coaxed him to remove his wet sweatpants and put on a new attire. Clearly he was embarrassed as he avoided her gaze when he was changing.

Seeing Rhys like this was painful for her, and she wished more than anything that she could do something to make him feel better.

She missed his usual cheeky grin and playful attitude, and it was clear that he was feeling embarrassed and down. She tried to make him feel more at ease, telling him that she was there for him and that it was okay to be vulnerable.

She wanted him to know that he didn’t have to face this alone, and that she would do everything she could to support him.

After he was done changing, Beatrix quickly extended her arms, gesturing for him to come to her.

Her heart felt suffocated as she saw him so broken. He hesitated for a moment, staring at her as he struggled to swallow.

Then he rushed towards her, practically throwing himself into her arms.

She wrapped them around him, feeling him bury his face against her neck as he took quick, heavy breaths.

Beatrix was shocked by what had happened and how he was behaving – she had never seen him like this. She held him tightly, soothing him by stroking the back of his hair. It felt like he was crushing her with how tightly he was holding onto her.

"Are you okay now?" Beatrix asked softly,as he nodded against her neck.

Beatrix could still feel the trembling in his hands, even though they were clinging tightly to her. "It’s okay, I’m here," she whispered, pulling him closer to her.

Rhys took a shaky breath, and her chest nearly collapsed when she heard his voice crack as he spoke.

"I don’t want you to see me like this," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I hate it being like this," he added, his hoarse voice trembling against her neck.

"Rhys, I’m not sure what’s going on with you right now. You seem so fragile, and I know you’ve been through a lot. But I want you to know that I’m here for you. We don’t have to talk about this if you don’t want to, okay?"

Rhys nodded,"I just hate being alive..." he said , his voice barely audible.

Beatrix held him tightly, wanting to take away the pain that he was feeling.

His words made her devastated. She pushed aside any worries or questions and focused on trying to comfort him.

"I just want the voices to stop. You probably hate me now don’t you?"

"Rhys..." she sighed,feeling her heart break for him.

She couldn’t stand hearing him like this. She pulled away from him and held his face, pressing her lips against his in a tender kiss.

She just wanted to show him some affection and let him know that she didn’t hate who he was.

He kissed her back, wrapping his arms around her waist to keep her close to him.

Beatrix pulled back after a while, searching his face with her eyes.

She brushed her fingers through the front of his hair, pushing it away from his eyes. "Let’s just go get into bed, okay?

We can talk if you want, or just lay there. It’s up to you. I’m right here as long as you need me," she said, trying to reassure him.

He nodded, removing his arms from her waist to place his hands over hers on his face. He removed her hands from his face and held them on his own.

Beatrix pulled him towards the bed, but he stopped her and she turned to find him staring at her , fighting back his emotions.

He swallowed thickly before saying, "Thank you."

Beatrix smiled softly at him and nodded, "You’re welcome. Come on, let’s sleep."

Rhys moved beside her on the bed, nuzzling against her chest. Beatrix had so many questions running through her.

What had happened in his life to make him hate himself like that? When she first saw him she thought he was so cool and had his life all figured out.

That’s why they say don’t judge a book by its cover.

Everyone was going through their own silent battles.

She may not know him well, but she knew him well enough to know that tonight wasn’t easy for him. Him being so vulnerable with her.

He was in so much pain that he kept it locked away. It made her sick to think about what could cause that kind of agony.

Maybe this was the only way he knows how to be, or maybe he was never shown how to express his fears.

Maybe if she showed him the love he needed, he would see that things don’t have to be this way. She guessed she would just have to wait and see."

Her hand traced his tattoo in a daze lost in thoughts.

"Beatrix?" He called her softly, his voice barely a whisper.

"Yes?" She replied looking down to see the top of his head as he looked at the wall in front of him.

"Will you go somewhere with me tomorrow?" He asked, but he seemed lost in thought as he talked.

"Sure. I would."