Dare to Love by Lylah James

Lila

Four months later

Maddox sat on the bed, his head in his hands, a choked sound coming from him.

“You’re the best unplanned thing that has ever happened to me, Maddox. And I can’t lose you. But you’re doing everything to push… me away from you,” I whispered, my voice breaking at the end. “You’ve been telling lies. Since when have you started lying to me, Maddox?”

After all we had been through… he tainted everything that we were with his lies.

His head snapped up, and his eyes flared with torment. He was decadently handsome, a little bit broken and a mistake from the beginning.

“I’m sorry,” he choked out.

“Is that all you have to say?”

There were tears in his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

If it hurts you so much, what kind of love is this?

I knew Maddox would break my heart, but a part of me hoped he wouldn’t.

My heart wept, and a lone tear slid down my cheek. “They said you were trouble. I didn't listen. I took a chance on you. And now I regret it.”

“Don’t leave me.” His hoarse voice cracked. “Please.”

I took a step back. Maddox looked wounded, and my soul bled to see him hurt.

“Lila,” he breathed my name. “Please.”

I slowly shook my head. “Maddox.” It pained me to say his name. “You broke your promises.”

My feet took me another step back.

“No,” he pleaded. “Lila, no.”

I turned and walked away, leaving my broken heart at his feet.