Chapter 195


    Nichs shook his head. “I’m protective of you and Elva. Those instincts have nothing to do with


    whether or not I trust you.”


    I wanted to believe that, but if it was true, then why did he hesitate?


    “I’ve been alone a long time, and I’ve gotten by just fine.” The words emerge from a ce of hurt. He


    cut


    me by not trusting me. How did he think I had survived these past three years?


    what to keep you


    “Is it so wrong for me to safe?” Nichs’s brow crinkled in confusion. His frown was


    heavy set.


    “Yes.”


    “Why?”


    I ced a hand over my aching heart. “Because you won’t be with me forever, Nick. If I get used to


    your


    protection, enough to let myself rx, how will I ever go back to how things were before? I need to stay


    tough and self–sustaining so that when this fantasy ends, I can continue on with my life.”


    The confusion in his face shifted into a scrunched up sort of pain. Sorrow darkened his eyes. 1 can’t


    argue with that,” he said, but the bitter tone of his voice made it clear that he wanted to.


    But this was the hand life had given us, and we’d made our choices. With thispetition, I was living


    in a dream that someday I would have to wake up from. Nichs, however, was stuck here, forced to


    marry someone he did not love to fulfill his parents‘ expectations of him.


    He lowered his voice then, barely a whisper. “But while you are here, I will protect you.”


    “I don’t need your protection.”


    “This isn’t about needing it, Piper. I’m giving it to you because I want to.”


    I crossed my arms. I wasn’t thrilled with his reasoning, but I couldn’t tell him what to do And even after


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    implying this action would hurt me, he still seemed set in his decision.


    needed to do was think of a way that I could convince him and myself that I was still caps


    hadn’t made me soft, and I was able to look out for myself and for Elve


    Ineade


    ded o be w


    from Him for


    I made my points clear, I thought, but Susie only looked more and more unsure the longer I went on. By


    the time I finished, she was worrying her bottom lip with her teeth and not quite looking at me.


    Had I said something wrong?


    “You can see my side of it, right?” I asked.


    I


    She nodded a little. I think so, but… I don’t know, Piper. His side doesn’t seem all that unreasonable


    either.”


    I hardly thought that was true. “He’s insulting me by thinking I’m some sort of wilting flower who needs


    looked after.”


    1 don’t necessarily believe that it’s an insult for someone to need help every now and then. Everyone


    does, no matter how strong they are. There’s no shame in it.” She lowered her voice. “Just as there’s


    no shame in wanting help either.”


    Wanting help? I’d never let myself want things in the past. With my limited time and money, I could only


    ever focus on survival. Sure, I supposed having help would have been nice, but in almost every case


    where help had been offered to me, it had some kind of terrible caveat attached.


    My boss would help me if I’d sleep with him. A coworker would give me the bustling table if I agreed to


    stay after to wash dishes for her.


    Only Anna had ever offered help, while wanting only friendship in return. But most people weren’t like


    that. I knew that well.