Bad Love an Alpha’s Regret by Elise Sinclair

Chapter 313

He holds out his hand and I take it, shaking.

His grip is firm and cool, and there’s something almost comforting about it.

“I’m Emily,” I tell him in return.

His smile deepens. “That’s a pretty name.”

I laugh at this.

Ronan might be too charming for his own good.

“I think it’s pretty basic myself, but you’re welcome to your opinion.”

He gives a quick, friendly laugh.

“So, Emily, what has you out here looking so down on a day like today?”

I take a slow breath, working out how I can explain without sounding crazy.

“Something bad happened to me, something traumatizing,” I begin, choosing my words carefully. “Something that went on for a long time. I finally got out just recently, and now my family are treating me like I’m fragile and broken. Maybe because I am.

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But I don’t want to be. And I can’t stay with my family, I can see that. It’s just not going to work. They’ll hate me when the realize the truth of everything that happened to me. Except I don’t know what to do, and don’t have anywhere else to go.”

Ronan nods, listening with sympathy and understanding.

And I realize it’s something no one has bothered to do since I got home.

They all just assume they know what happened to me, and what they should do about it.

did have that moment with

wasn’t

be first in line to kill me if or when the truth came

extremely strong and brave. You survived

different, but I don’t think I’ve ever stopped to consider that I might be stronger

to me.

in the way he probably

www

but I can do things now that

not saying that makes it all

could go back and have a choice, I’d choose not to ever go through that,

in greater danger from

to the new me, if I decide to look at it

one in

actually seen me- in a way Aaron and Jessica and Axel and everyone else

they just

was gone for ten years, so they’ve all moved on without me–that they

mean in a spiteful way, I

kind of way.

remember it’s them, not you,” Ronan says conspiratorially, leaning forward a little. “It’s also their loss if they can’t see any of that. You’re strong. You’ve proven that to yourself. You don’t need to prove it to anyone else, even if they

I’m speechless.

what to say, but I’m deeply touched by his words.

him, emotion catching in my voice.

gets to

week,” he says. “Maybe I’ll see you around again

hope I do see him again.

we stand there looking at each

forward and

but then hugs me