Vincent was clearly panicking. He rushed toward me, reaching out to grab my hand.

"Gabby... please, let me explain. Gabby—"

"Don’t touch me!" I jerked away from him, my voice full of disgust. "You make my skin crawl."

He froze, stunned. For a moment, he looked like a child caught doing something terrible—his eyes rimmed red, a slight shimmer of tears clinging to his lashes.

"No, Gabby, please," he begged. "You have to hear me out. ...