Chapter 69: All about you and I

ANNALISE'S P.O.V.

I wasn't sure how long I had stayed on the floor, just watching the dark mahogany, my heart ripping apart in slow, dark rhythms. I had mostly confessed to being in love with Sin, and yet... yet...

I swallowed hard. Maybe I had been naive. Maybe I had been foolish to think that a love confession would immediately erase the dent on my skin, on my fate, on my dignity. How could I have thought that Sin would somehow be able to overlook all of it?

He definitely would never be able to, and I wouldn't be able to watch him resent me. He had probably brought Enrique because he thought it was something else, not that his brother had forcefully had me that way.

I slowly sat up, then wiped my hands on my cheeks, sniffing hard. I wasn't about to wait here and watch him slowly distance himself. I still had a million dollars. I could take that, at least, right? Maybe I could go somewhere. Maybe I could do something. Forget about Sin. Maybe I could start from the beginning all over again.

I stood up, then turned to the large walk-in closet. I stood there for a long minute, just watching the clothes, carefully arranged. It looked like I had a forever to spend here, but in truth, I didn't even have that much time anymore.

I changed into a knee-length simple dress before grabbing the suitcase Sin had given me the money in. I turned around to the mirror. I looked like a mess, and I spared a minute to put my hair in order.

I looked around. I didn't have much else. This wasn't my home, and to be honest, Sin had no use for me anymore. Larissa was an on and off issue now, and if I was gone... maybe he would realize he needed his daughter's mother back. Maybe the illusion of me would fade.

A lump rose in my throat, and I felt a bitter taste spread through my tongue. I looked down at the money. This is all I am. A thief. A gold digger. All I will ever be. I dropped the diamond ring on the dresser, and for a long minute, I just watched the mark it had left on my finger.

I turned to the door and started to make my way determinedly down the stairs. I could hear a few greetings from the staff that were going around to clean up, but I didn't bother answering any of them. I had just made my way across the large living room when a male voice stopped me in place.

"Going somewhere?"

I stopped, then turned to a slightly familiar face. He was wearing casual clothes, and his hands were tucked in his pockets.

"Who are you?"

He didn't reply immediately, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. "That briefcase does look like money. Is that all you are taking now that you are going to be exposed?"

I turned to him fully. "You must be Detective Gabriel."

"You know the name," he said, chuckling proudly. "The man who will tell Sin the sort of snake you really are."

I swallowed. I was leaving anyway. What would I be scared of? Nothing. I had lost Sin the moment I told him the truth. I didn't have to keep any of this anymore. I didn't have to continue with this anymore.

"Snake? Are you sure that between us, I am the snake?"

"It shows," he said with a laugh. "I am not the one absconding with meager money because the truth is about to surface. I would have thought you were more ambitious with your grand plan with Aldo. Turns out you are nothing but a street beggar who will not hesitate..."

I hit him hard across the cheek before he could finish, causing him to reel violently backward and lose stamina. His lip broke, and he brought his hand to his cheek protectively.

"What the fuck?!" he yelled, his eyes wide with rage as he turned to me.

I stood my ground, knowing the worst he would be able to do to me had already been done. No one could hurt me anymore.

"Yes. You felt that right. And if you come here and say one more word against me, the next time, I am making sure to aim for your nose. Maybe it will stay out of my business."

"You little bitch. You think you still have Sin's protection? You think after I tell him what I know..."

"What you have been paid to say. Do you think everyone is a cheap church rat because that is exactly what you are?"

"What?"

"Isn't that it? Or... Am I flattering you? I mean, a church rat must have more dignity since it visits the holy house and chooses to remain poor. You, on the other hand, only grovel on the ground and lick dirty feet, because that's all you will ever be good with."

His eyes widened with anger, and he suddenly raised a hand, intending fully to slap me.

"Gabriel."

He stopped, and I opened my eyes and turned towards the staircase. Sin was standing at the top, his brows drawn, one hand resting in his pocket, the other behind him. The shirt he had thrown on, a black button-down shirt, was open, and it flayed sensually against his skin.

I swallowed, taking his majesty in, his eyes, his hair.

"Sin," Gabriel said, then took a step back, his eyes averting Sin's gaze as his hands slowly clasped in front of him.

"Did you just raise a hand to my wife?" Sin's voice had a threatening ring to it, and I swallowed, blinking hard. I wouldn't have that title much longer.

I never really had it. A ring that was tossed at me, and a contract I was forced to sign, none of that made me his real wife.

"Sin, I was just..."

"Answer the fucking question, Gabriel. Did you or did you not raise a hand to my wife?"

Gabriel turned to me, and I sighed. I don't want trouble. I don't even want to be protected. I just wanted to leave.

"He didn't..."

"I wasn't talking to you, Annalise. This isn't just about you."

"Then what is it about?" I asked, suddenly feeling my anger rise. How could he defend me in front of others when he couldn't hold me behind closed doors. Was I some sort of show?

"It is about my respect," he said, slowly bringing his other hand that had been resting behind him all along.

He was holding a gold plated gun in it, and his expression hardened. He took his time climbing down the stairs one by one, watching Gabriel fret with every step he took.

"A man who talks down on you talks down on me. A man who takes your dignity takes my dignity."

He finally got to me, and without even a word to Gabriel, he cupped my face, his eyes holding mine, his gun lightly touching my face.

I closed my eyes, fighting tears, fighting my feelings, fighting my own resolve.

"And a man who raised a hand to you has raised a hand to me."

I opened my eyes just in time to see Sin turn swiftly and plant a bullet right into Gabriel's right hand.