Chapter 56

Chapter 56
KAT’S POV

I sit in front of the fireplace to clear my head. Percy and I haven’t spoken since the argument. It’s been about three hours now.

The fact that we’re not speaking hurts me. This was supposed to be a romantic trip. It was supposed to turn out good.

But it didn’t. we fought. He’s pissed at me. Why won’t he be? I’ll feel the same if I find out someone’s taken Molly as a personal assistant for revenge purposes.

The fire crackles softly in front of me, but it does nothing to warm the cold spreading through my chest. I sit on the rug with my knees pulled tight to my chest, arms wrapped around them, staring into the flames like they can burn away the humiliation twisting inside me. Every moment of the fight with Percy replays in my mind. I remember everything - his shock, his hurt, the way his voice broke when he remembered Paula is his sister. I feel sick to my stomach.

The room feels too big and too small at the same time. The villa’s soft golden lights used to feel romantic; now they feel like spotlights on my shame. My phone is still warm in my hand, and even though I know it’s a terrible idea, I open it again.

Melissa’s LIVE has exploded. Clips of her meltdown are everywhere. People are stitching her videos, analyzing my expression in old photos, diagnosing me like I’m some unhinged creature they found in a cage. Headlines flash:
“Melissa Carter Exposes Ex-Friend in Emotional Breakdown.”
“Influencer Kat Ford Forces Former Abuser to Work for Her.”

I feel myself fold inward. I can’t breathe properly. The fire snaps again, but all I hear are the words vindictive, dangerous, manipulative.

I feel like such a horrible person.

I don’t even realize Percy has returned until I feel the air shift beside me. He sits down slowly, keeping a respectful distance. He doesn’t touch me. He doesn’t raise his voice. He just sits there long enough for me to notice him.

Finally, he speaks quietly. “Kat… we should talk.”

My throat tightens. I keep my eyes on the fire, afraid of what I’ll see if I look at him.

He takes a slow breath. “I like you. A lot. Maybe more than I should. But what you did…” His voice is a bit sad. “It was too far. You can’t use revenge to heal. It doesn’t work. It just… destroys more.”

I swallow hard.  I feel ashamed and defensive all at once. “I know Paula is your sister,” I whisper. “I wasn’t thinking. I was angry. I felt cornered. And yes… I knew it was mean. I knew it wasn’t right.” My voice cracks as I admit it. “I even thought about letting her go days ago, but I didn’t know how to do it without looking weak. I just….i wanted revenge. I saw an opportunity and I took it.”

He turns his head slightly to look at me.

“You don’t owe anyone strength if it costs you your humanity,” he murmurs.

I close my eyes. “I don’t know how to stop fighting. Every time I try to breathe, someone punches back. I’m tired of being the target. I’m tired of being pushed. I’m tired of being expected to swallow everything.”

Percy shifts a little closer. “My ex-wife broke me in ways I’m still trying to understand,” he says softly. “Revenge felt good for five minutes. Then it left a hole in me so big I thought I’d fall into it.” his voice breaks a little. “Hurting someone back doesn’t fix anything.”

I finally turn my face toward him. His expression is open, tired, honest. There’s no anger left in him. All I can see is hurt.

“Every time I trust someone,” I whisper, “they destroy me.”

He lifts his hand and cups the side of my face. His thumb strokes my cheek like he’s afraid I might shatter in front of him.

“Then let me be the one who doesn’t,” he says softly.

Something in me breaks. Not painfully—more like something locked finally gives way. I lean forward before I think too much, before fear convinces me to stay silent. He meets me halfway.

Our lips brush softly. Then the kiss deepens. The kiss is slow and passionate. It’s not rushed or hungry, but full of emotion I cannot hide from. His hand slides gently behind my neck, pulling me closer. I feel the heat of the fire on my back and the warmth of him in front of me, surrounding me. The feeling calms me.

He calms me. He makes me feel things I don’t want to admit.

My fingers curl into the fabric of his shirt. I breathe him in. He kisses me like he’s trying to steady both of us. Like he’s telling me he’s still here even after all of it. His forehead presses to mine when we finally break apart.

“I’m falling for you,” he whispers. “Even when I’m angry. Even when I shouldn’t be.”

My chest aches. “I feel the same,” I breathe back. It’s terrifying to admit, but it’s the truth.

“Then don’t run from me,” he murmurs. “Not tonight.”

I close my eyes and lean into him. His arms wrap around me gently. He holds me like he’s guarding something fragile and precious.

We don’t speak for a long moment. We just breathe together as the fire crackles softly beside us,. For the first time since Melissa’s live began, I feel something other than panic.

I feel him.

He tilts my chin up and kisses me again, slower this time. The warmth between us grows. It’s not rushed, not wild, but deep and intimate in a way that twists my heart.

We whisper soft things between kisses - apologies, reassurances, truths we’re terrified to say without the darkness to hold them.. Every look he gives me makes me feel seen.

By the time I rest my head against his chest, I feel myself falling deeper than I intended. Deeper than I ever feared. Deeper than I’m ready for.

But I’m not pulling back.

Not tonight.