THE RUIN
How could he do this to me? Why?
The question burned through my chest, unbearable and relentless. I shouldn't have forgiven him. God, why did I forgive him?
I was still lost in the suffocating spiral of my thoughts when the sharp chime of the doorbell shattered the silence. Instinct took over. I reached for the gun—the very one he had given me—and tucked the heavy metal into the waistband of my trousers.
Hatred, hot and absolute, coursed through my veins as I pulled the door open.
He stepped inside, leaning in to demand a kiss as if nothing had changed. As if he hadn't destroyed everything. I pulled back, refusing him. I slammed the door shut behind me, backing up until my spine pressed hard against the wood, putting as much distance between us as the small entryway allowed.
As he closed the gap between us, I spoke, my voice dripping with disappointment and a hurt that vibrated through every nerve in my body. "Don't come close to me."
Please don't cry. No. No, no, don't cry. I fought the fierce heat burning behind my eyes, desperate to keep the weakness hidden.
"What happened, love?" he asked, genuine shock breaking through his usual composure as he took another step forward.
With trembling hands, I pulled the gun from my waistband and raised it, pointing the barrel straight at his heart.
"Don't come any closer," I gasped out, tears finally breaking free and trailing hot down my cheeks. "Or I swear to God, I’ll kill you."
He didn't flinch. He didn't even look at the weapon.
He just took a step closer, his eyes locked on mine, and whispered, "Do it."