Alexander’s POV

I withdraw my hands from around her and push myself up to my feet. My head drones noisily, but I keep it down, unable to look her in the eyes. I’m too ashamed of myself.

Yet I feel the warmth from her body. She’s just a few inches away. I keep my eyes on her feet and slip my trembling hands behind me as her voice echoes in my head:

‘I forgive you.’

My head fights it. My heart rejects it because I would never be deserving of her. Never.

“You hurt me,” she utters ...