Nina’s POV
I wake up to light streaming into my eyes. I wrinkle my nose and try to turn over, but something holds me in place. Opening my eyes, pain shoots through my head.
“Shit,” I mutter, squeezing my eyes shut again. I attempt to move, but the weight against me stops me.
“Honey, don’t move so much,” a hoarse voice murmurs, instantly soothing me. I missed his voice so much.
“Alex,” I sigh, pressing a kiss to his chest.
“How do you feel?” he asks, pulling back slightly to look at me.
“My head hurts,” I pout, and he smiles softly, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear and kissing my forehead.
“You gave me the scare of my life,” he whispers, his eyes locking with mine.
I want to ask where he’s been all week, why he didn’t call, and about her. But I don’t want to ruin this moment. I missed him, and I can’t bear the thought of him leaving again. So, I swallow my questions.
“I’m sorry, Alex,” I say simply, and he gives me a small smile. I can see pain and guilt in his eyes.
“I’m starving,” I laugh, trying to ease the growing awkwardness and my desire to ask everything.
We head to the kitchen, where Alex makes sandwiches for both of us.
“Don’t do that again,” he murmurs, and I frown.
“I’m sorry,” I mumble, embarrassed. “I didn’t realize how much I drank.” I laugh nervously, but he shakes his head, clearly upset.
“Hey, I’m sorry, okay? Don’t be mad at me,” I whisper, moving closer to hug him. He caresses my back, but when I pull back to look at him, I notice tears shimmering in his eyes.
“You weren’t drunk, Nina. You were on drugs,” he growls, and I feel my stomach drop. “I don’t know what the hell you took, but I never want you to do that again in your life. I was terrified. It wasn’t you. You were dehydrated, hallucinating, crying every five minutes, and saying I didn’t love you-that I left you,” he mutters, his voice cracking. “You even told me you hated me,” he whispers, looking down.
My body tenses at his words. I don’t remember any of it. Not seeing him, not saying those things. I run my hands over his face and kiss his cheekbones.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, meeting his tearful gaze. His eyes brim with unshed tears, but he refuses to let them fall.
“I don’t do drugs, Alex,” I insist softly. “What you’re saying feels so new to me. I don’t even remember drinking that much,” I admit, and Alex sighs deeply.
I can tell he’s angry and hurt. I wish I could explain myself, but I don’t remember anything.
I lean in to kiss him, and he doesn’t stop me. My arms wrap around his neck, fingers threading through his hair. His large, rough hands grip my waist beneath my blouse.
“You hurt me,” he growls, and I frown, pulling back.
“I trusted you, Nina,” he whispers, shaking his head. “I thought we trusted each other, but last night, it seemed like you trusted Elijah more than me, and that drives me crazy,” he exclaims, his words hitting like a punch.
“What?” I ask, completely shocked.
Alex studies my face for a moment before asking, “Is there something I should know?”
His words feel like a slap. “What?” I repeat, baffled.
“Nina, I can’t believe this,” he says, and I feel my stomach twist.
It hurts to see how little trust Alex has in me when I’ve been nothing but honest with him. He knows everything about me-every detail of my life. But I know so little about him. His past, his present… it’s like he’s a stranger. And that realization hurts more than I can admit.
“Is there something I should know?” I ask defensively.
Alex’s expression shifts. He knows exactly what I mean.
“Nina, I…”
“No!” I snap, cutting him off. “You have no right to demand trust from me when you’ve been the one keeping secrets,” I growl, poking his chest with my finger. He glances at my hand, then at my face.
“I’ve been honest with you since day one-about everything. Any question you’ve asked, I’ve answered without hesitation. Why can’t you do the same?” I ask, incredulous.
Alex gulps, his face a storm of emotions-anger, disappointment, desperation, and fear.
“I’m tired of pretending I don’t notice, you know?” I continue, stepping back. “Tired of avoiding the truth, of not getting the same trust I give you. I gave you everything, Alex. Everything. And what did I get in return?” My voice cracks, betraying me, making me sound weak.
Alex tries to move closer, but I step back, and he clenches his jaw.
“I told you about my father when I’ve never told anyone else. Do you know how much it hurts to talk about him?” I choke out. “Do you know how much it hurts to hear you say I hurt you when you hurt me every day? You’re not honest with me, and yet I’m still afraid of losing you. I ignore your lies, your silence, because I love you.”
“Nina, I-”
“No!” I exclaim. He presses his lips into a thin line as I continue.
“Alex, you need to grow up. Not everything will go your way, and hiding the truth is just lying in another form. You say I hurt you, but you’ve been breaking me all along.”
My voice shakes with raw emotion, but I feel lighter for finally saying it. Alex stares at me, stunned. I see the pain in his eyes, but I don’t regret my words.
After a moment, he gets up and walks upstairs without a word, like a sulking child.
I sigh and move to the living room, deciding it’s better to leave. As soon as I get the chance, I’ll grab my things and go. I don’t want to fight anymore.
Maybe it’s time to go home, to apologize to my mother. I feel foolish for ever thinking living with Alex would be all happiness, romance, and pleasure.
My stomach churns, nausea rolling over me. This entire situation is making me sick.