100 | paintings of you-2

At the mention of his ex-fiancee, Aiden clenches his jaw. His eyes are almost piercing as he looks at me, like he won't tolerate any objection to what he's going to say. "I went to see Olivia and Roman, but I do not love her anymore. There's nothing between me and her. Ever since you came into my life, there's no one else but you." I'm at a loss for words. What did he just say? This doesn't make any sense. I remember how Aiden changed drastically after he went to LA. And those articles on the web clearly stated that they went into a hotel together. "I saw it," I say. Aiden stares at me with a frown on his lips, wondering what I'm talking about. "The reporters snapped a picture of you and her stepping into a hotel. Then you came home and wanted me gone. It all made sense." "I'm sorry that you had to see that, but I can explain everything." Aiden sighs. Guilt crosses his expression. "When I went to their house, I witnessed Roman abusing her. He was furious that I was there, then he left. She was restless and scared that he would hit her, but she had nowhere else to go. I helped her get a hotel room to keep her safe. It's one of the hotels my family owns. I swear nothing happened. I didn't even step into the hotel room." I'm stunned. I didn't expect that kind of explanation. My God, I didn't expect Roman to abuse Olivia. And I surely didn't expect that Aiden was only trying to help her. I stare into Aiden's eyes and can only see honesty in them. "But--" I blurt out, "you made sure that I knew how much you hated me. You were so cold to me. You didn't even want to look at me." I ball my fists on my sides, remembering everything that shattered my heart that day. "You didn't correct it when I thought that you hated me. You hate me because of what happened on your wedding day two years ago, because I caused her to leave." "I never hate you and I never blame you for whatever happened that fucking day," Aiden speaks through gritted teeth, startling me. It looks like he's about to snap but trying his best to compose himself. "I never blamed you, Nevaeh. Did you? Do you still blame yourself?" "I--" My words stick in my throat. I don't know how to answer him. Aiden is watching me intently. "Please answer me, Nevaeh. I thought that I'd proved myself wrong and that it was all a misunderstanding. But now that you're standing here before me, I need to hear it from you. I need you to tell me how you really feel." The next breath he takes seems so painful to him. "And I should let you go if it's the best for you." His last sentence is barely a whisper. "What's that supposed to mean?" I cry, feeling like I'm about to explode. I was trying not to let myself break, but I can't hold it anymore. He's confusing me with all these revelations. I step back again, wanting to be as far away as I can from him. My movement causes Aiden to swallow hard, and I feel like he's about to lose it too because his hand is shaking as he tries to reach for me. "I didn't want you to be with me just because you were blaming yourself." Aiden's voice is hoarse. "You didn't owe me anything, and I didn't want to hurt you. I didn't want to take advantage of you. God, what I've done to you, Nevaeh… I couldn't forgive myself if you had to sacrifice yourself for me." I stare at him in disbelief. I never thought that he would think like that. My head is spinning. I can't say that I didn't blame myself for what happened two years ago. I did feel guilty. I cried for Aiden. When he offered me to stay with him after the incident with the security, a part of me was hoping that I would be able to see how he was doing, if he was okay, and whether he'd recovered from his heartache or not. It had broken my heart that he was still suffering, but that was not all. I saw him more than the broken man he was. I gave him my all not because I felt guilty or I owed him something, but because I loved him. I was drawn to Aiden because of his heart, and it started the moment I saw him breaking down at the altar. I wanted that precious heart. I wanted that man, who could love so fiercely. And I wanted to love him with all my heart to make sure that nothing would hurt him again. I'm in love with Aiden Klein because of his heart. It's why I stayed with him. "After everything that happened between us, you didn't know what I felt for you?" I whisper, letting a tear roll down my cheek. "You couldn't feel my love for you?" Aiden's eyes turn even more glassy, and I turn around. I cover my mouth in my hand, and my sob finally breaks. It's like admitting all over again that my heart still wants him even though I don't know if he feels the same. I feel Aiden's warmth when he leans closer to me from behind. He wraps his arms around my waist, holding me tightly and causing me to let out a small cry. Being in his embrace again nearly makes me burst. "I knew. I felt it." His voice is so close to my ear, a whisper filled with longing. Too soft. "But I also felt that you were too good to be true for me. I let my fear consume me again. I was scared that my feelings had made me blind. I didn't want to make the same mistake. After knowing the truth, I couldn't help but think of the worst. I really didn't want you to stay with me for the wrong reason. I couldn't do that to you."