Chapter 16: The Break (Daniel POV)
Chapter 16: The Break (Daniel POV)
I’m standing in Leo’s apartment, my dad’s smirk burning into me. “Choose,” he just said, his voice sharp, after telling me to marry Rita or watch Leo go down. Rita’s next to him, her fake smile trembling, and Leo’s in front of me, his eyes wide from my whispered “I’m sorry.” My heart’s pounding loud, my hands sweaty, and I can barely breathe. Dad steps closer, his face red, pointing at Leo. “I’ll bury him. Choose now! The PI’s got dirt, his art career’s done unless you end this.” His words hit hard, like a punch, and I feel my stomach twist, cold and tight.
Rita moves forward, her voice soft, her hand reaching out. “Daniel, please. We could work. I’d make it easy, just think about it.” Her eyes are big, pleading, but I don’t want her. I never did. I look at Leo, his fists clenched, his jaw tight, and my chest hurts. He’s staring at me, waiting, like he thinks I’ll fight. Dad’s glare is heavy, pressing down, and I feel my resolve cracking, splitting apart. “You’ve got ten seconds,” Dad says, his voice low and mean, crossing his arms. “Her or him. Pick.”
I turn to Leo, my throat dry, and grab his arm, pulling him aside fast. He stumbles, following me to the corner, away from Dad and Rita. “What are you doing?” he asks, voice rough, but I don’t answer. I grab his face with both hands, my fingers digging into his skin, and kiss him hard. It’s fierce, desperate, my lips crashing into his, tasting paint and sweat. He kisses me back, just as hard, his hands gripping my jacket tight, pulling me closer. It’s wild, raw, like it’s the last time, and it is. I pour everything into it, my heart breaking with every second, knowing what I have to do.
I pull back, breathing fast, my forehead pressed to his for a moment. His eyes are wide, searching mine, and I step away, my hands dropping. “It’s over,” I say, my voice shaking. “I can’t do this.” He blinks, fast, like he didn’t hear me right, and grabs my shirt. “What? No, don’t!” His voice cracks, loud in the quiet room, and I shake my head, forcing the lie out. “My family’s too much. I can’t handle it anymore. We’re done.” It’s not true, Dad’s the one breaking me, not him, but I say it anyway, my voice flat, dead.
Leo shoves me, hard, his hands slamming into my chest. “Don’t! You don’t mean that!” His eyes are wet, his voice rising, and he grabs me again, pulling me back. “Fight him! We can take him!” I pull free, stepping away, my boots loud on the floor. “I can’t, Leo. Let it go.” He lunges, grabbing my arm, his fingers tight. “You’re lying! Tell me you’re lying!” I yank my arm back, my heart splitting open, and turn to the door. “I’m not,” I mutter, low and rough, and walk out fast, not looking back.
Dad’s voice follows me, loud and smug. “Good choice, son.” I hear Rita say something soft, but I don’t stop. My boots thud down the stairs, my chest burning, my eyes stinging. I push outside, the cold air hitting me hard, and stumble to my truck. I climb in, slam the door shut, the bang echoing in the quiet street, and sit there, hands on the wheel. Tears fall, hot and fast, dripping onto my jeans, and I can’t stop them. I see Leo’s face, hurt, mad, fighting me, and it kills me. I left him. I had to. Dad would’ve ruined him, taken everything he’s got left, and I couldn’t let that happen.
I start the engine, the rumble loud under me, and pull out, driving slow through the wet streets. My hands shake, my breath ragged, and I wipe my face with my sleeve, smearing tears. The condo’s ahead, all glass and steel, a place I hate now. I park, climb out, and take the elevator up, the hum filling my head. My keys jingle as I unlock the door, and I step inside, the quiet hitting me like a wall. Dad’s there, standing by the window, hands in his pockets, nodding at me like I did something right. “Smart move,” he says, voice calm now. “Rita’s waiting. We’ll set it up tomorrow.”
I drop my keys on the counter, the clink loud, and turn away, my back to him. “Get out,” I say, low and hard. He laughs, short and cold, and walks to the door. “You’ll thank me later,” he says, and leaves, the door clicking shut. I slump against the wall, sliding down, my head in my hands. My chest hurts, like something’s ripping inside, and I see Leo again, his kiss, his fight, his voice begging me to stay. I broke him. I broke us. To save him.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, sharp and loud, pulling me out of it. I dig it out, my hands trembling, and see the screen, Leo. A text, short and raw: “You’re a coward.” My breath catches, a sob breaking free, and I slam my fist into the steering wheel, hard, the pain sharp in my knuckles. “I had no choice,” I say, my voice cracking, alone in the truck, as his words burn into me.