“Genevieve?”
She stiffened. There’d been no time over the past few days to talk, and she didn’t know if she had the strength right now. Who would’ve thought being hated by the entire hospital would take so much out of her? He moved beside her and she struggled to straighten up and meet his gaze. “David.”
He studied her face. “You look tired.”
A humorless laugh escaped. “I am.”
Her refusal to elaborate made him tighten his lips. “I’m sorry you’re having a hard time. Things will blow over and get back to normal soon. I’ve been thinking about us.”
“So have I.”
“I’m glad.” Determination carved out his features. “I’m going to do better. We’re going to be better. I figured out how I was expressing myself and intend to change. I also think the wedding was too much pressure. This time, we’ll elope. My parents will be disappointed, but this way it’ll be more subtle and stamp out some of the negative press. When things settle down, we can throw a tasteful party when we can both enjoy it.”
Nausea clawed at her stomach, and her heart thundered in her ears. Why didn’t he get it? She shook her head hard, frantic to make him see they couldn’t keep going on like this. “You’re not listening. I spent my time thinking about us, and what I want. We’re not good together. This is not something we can change. I’m ending it.”
The shock emanating from him was almost palpable. “No. We love each other.”
“Not anymore.” She forced herself to hold his gaze. “This type of love is wrong. It’s not healthy, and I’m unhappy. We can’t do this to each other anymore. You have to let me go.”
He stared at her hard, assessing, then shook his head. “You’re mine, Genevieve. Always will be. I picked you when I could have had anyone because I see you in me. Our drive. Our purpose. Our need to be better. You’re wrong about love. Love is pushing the limits, not accepting.”
“David—”
“I will not allow you to push me away anymore because of your fear. You need me.”
Dread slithered in her veins. “I don’t want to marry you. It’s over.”
“No. It’s not.”
He moved so fast she never saw it coming. Grabbing her around the waist, he dragged her against his body and kissed her. Forceful, brutal, a stamp of ownership and not an ounce of care. By the time she tried to fight him off, it was over.
She panted, clenching her fists. “Don’t ever do that again.”
“Don’t tell me what I can and can’t do.” The ugliness was back, turning him into a man she didn’t recognize. “You’ve humiliated both of us enough. Are you willing to throw away your entire career on a whim?”
“This has nothing to do with my career!”
“Your mental state has everything to do with your career. Everyone knows about your consistent panic attacks. Your own family backs me up. Do you know I documented your breakdowns with the hospital?”
She pressed a shaking hand to her mouth. “You know I don’t have panic attacks. You’re a liar.”
He shrugged. “You’ve been a wreck since the engagement. Everyone saw it. I told HR you were having some episodes but I believed you were still safe on the floor. Told them I urged you to look at some medication, but that the wedding had been adding to your stress. It’s too late to back out of this. We’re meant to be together. If I have to, I’ll prove it to you.”
“You’re insane. You’ll never get away with this. You can’t force me to have feelings I don’t have!”
David shook his head. “You’re still not understanding me. I will do everything in my power to show you we’re meant to be together. I’ve fought for what I wanted in my life without fail. You are no different.” He turned from her. “Think, Genevieve. You’re under my direction. Your career is in my hands. We can have the life we dreamed of if you would just give me another chance.”
“I will never get back with you.” Her body trembled with rage. “I will not let you bully me anymore. I’m getting my stuff today and reporting you.”
“Go ahead. I’ve already told key people at the hospital about your mental state. I have witnesses to back me up. As for your stuff, I already changed the locks in my apartment. You’ll be moving back in with me eventually. This will just give you the proper motivation.”
“Fuck you.”
He frowned and glanced back. “You know I dislike gutter language, Genevieve. You’ve been hanging out with trash for too long. Wolfe is a problem between us. Get rid of him.” He paused. “Or I will.”