Cedric stepped closer, slow and unsure. He reached like he was about to hug me–then dropped his arms.
“You used to hang on to me all the time,” he said quietly. “Didn’t you promise you’d stay with me forever?
“It’s my fault. I didn’t get it back then. That’s why I lost you.
“But now I do. You were the only one who ever really loved me. And because of how we were… I was too scared to accept it.
“But I’m done running. I love you, Reine. I want to be with you. For real this time.”
Then he moved in like he meant to hold me.
I shoved him off.
His eyes were bloodshot, voice shaking. “Do you know how scared I was seeing you with someone else? I thought I’d lost you for good. I pushed you away, but if that meant losing you to another guy–I’d rather be dead!
“Thank God you didn’t choose him. Thank God I’m not too late! I know you still love me. You loved me for years those
feelings don’t just disappear!
“Letting you go was the biggest screw–up of my life. I’m not making that mistake again.
“Reine, come back with me. I swear I’ll never hurt you again. I’ll protect you–always!”
He stepped forward. I stepped back.
That was enough to crush whatever hope he had left. His eyes dropped. Defeated.
Only when he finally shut up did I say, “Are you done?”
He looked up, hope flickering like maybe–just maybe–I’d change my mind.
But my face stayed blank. Cold.
*Uncle Cedric,” I said flatly, “you’ll always just be that–my uncle. Nothing more.
“There’s no future here. I don’t love you. I never will.
