CHAPTER 34: CHAPTER 34: TOO LATE FOR US

"Then he told me..." Nicki’s voice faltered for the first time, his jaw clenching as he looked down at his hands. "If I wouldn’t break up with you or take the money... then he’d take it as me coming into your life not just to destroy you, but to ruin you."

My breath caught.

"He said he’d never let his son end up with someone like me. That I was nothing but trouble. A threat."

Nicki finally looked up again, and I could see it, the weight of those words - still pressing on him after all these years. The shame. The anger. The helplessness.

"I walked out of there with nothing but disgust in my chest. Not because of the things he said to me... but because I knew he’d never understand what we had. What I felt for you wasn’t destruction. It was the most real thing I’d ever known."

Nicki’s voice softened, but the weight of his words only grew heavier.

"Then... before I stepped outside the building, someone came running after me. He sent them to call me back."

His eyes refused to meet mine now. "And I went. I went back because... I respected him. He’s your father."

He paused, swallowing hard. His fingers curled into his lap like he was holding something in.

"When I got there, he asked me to sit again. I obeyed. Not because I was scared, but because I knew this was serious. He looked at me, real quiet, and told me to listen carefully."

My chest tightened. I already knew this wasn’t going to be easy, but nothing could’ve prepared me for what came next.

"He said... your future was at stake. If you were with me, you wouldn’t be able to focus. That loving me might cost you everything you’ve worked so hard for."

He took a breath and finally met my eyes.

"I looked at him, and I could feel his pain. He’s not the kind of man who breaks easily, not even close. But today... I saw something in him I never expected."

His voice wavered just a little.

"He begged me. Begged me to leave you. Said I’d be a distraction. That you were going to take over everything someday, his company, his legacy, and that people in his business circle... if they ever found out you were gay before you secured your place, before you took that seat."

He broke off, shaking his head.

"He said they’d turn on you. That you’d lose more than just your image. You’d lose respect. You’d lose the chance to even sit at the table. And he said..."

His voice dropped to a whisper. "If I really loved you, I’d let you go."

I sat there frozen, numb, but he wasn’t done.

"I told him I couldn’t break up with you. I told him I wouldn’t. But then... he looked at me again and said, ’Then take a break. Five years. Just disappear from his life. If you come back after five years, and his feelings are still the same... I won’t fight it. I’ll let you both be.’"

He looked at me with nothing but quiet sadness.

I looked at him, the weight of everything pressing down hard on my chest. "All this happened... and you didn’t tell me anything?"

Nicki nodded slowly, eyes dim. "I signed an agreement to stay away from you, Evric. I couldn’t risk breaking it."

I shook my head, bitterness rising. "But you took money from him, didn’t you?

His eyes flashed. "I never took anything from him. I only said that back then, so you’d hate me... and it would be easier for you to let me go."

I clenched my jaw. "And when I got into that accident... you didn’t even come to the hospital."

"I did," he whispered. "I came, Evric. But I was unlucky. I bumped into your father just outside your room. He didn’t let me get close... so I left."

I stared at him, my voice trembling. "But I caught you, Nicki. You were with another man. You cheated on me before we even broke up."

He looked straight into my eyes, not flinching. "Did you really catch me sleeping with him... or was that just what you imagined?"

I blinked, confused.

He let out a soft, bitter laugh. "I put on an act that day. I wanted you to see someone else with me. But I never slept with him. I never cheated on you, Evric. Not once."

My chest tightened. "You wanted me to see that?"

"I thought... if you believed I moved on, you’d start to hate me," he said, his voice lower now. "And if you hated me, it would be easier for you to let go."

I looked at him, my heart caught between confusion and clarity. I didn’t know what to believe anymore. Hearing him explain everything, finally, should have brought some kind of relief. But it didn’t change the truth that echoed deep inside me:

I didn’t want anything to do with him anymore.

He was a part of my past. A Chapter I’d closed. And now, I had someone I truly loved. I couldn’t destroy that, not for ghosts, not for regret.

"So... why now?" I asked quietly. "Why come back and tell me all this?"

He met my gaze, his expression bare and raw. "Because I want us back," he said, voice trembling with emotion. "I still love you, Evric. I thought I could move on, but I can’t. I never stopped loving you."

I stared at him, speechless. Maybe once, long ago, I would have broken down hearing those words. Maybe I would’ve gone to confront my father for keeping him away from me. But now... I just wanted peace. I wanted to let the past stay where it belonged.

Just then, my phone rang. Zayn’s name lit up on the screen.

I looked back at Nicki and took a breath. "I’ve already moved on," I said softly but firmly. "I’m glad you came back. It cleared the questions I had... but I have someone else in my life now. Someone I truly care about."

I rose to my feet. So did he.

As I turned to leave, his voice stopped me.

"I’m not giving up on you, Evric."

I didn’t answer. I just picked up Zayn’s call,

and walked out.

SPECIAL NOTE.

I know this Chapter might feel a little raw or messy, I’m still finding my rhythm with the writing style, so please bear with me. I truly appreciate your support and hope you’re enjoying the journey with these characters. More heat, heart, and drama coming soon.