Chapter 39

ALBERT'S P.O.V.

"I was so stupid, Al, I should have been wiser and braver for you, and maybe none of the things you went through in the hands of that dick Julian would have happened. I regret so much the things I didn't do when I had the opportunity." Matthew's grey eyes quickly fill with tears, which he fought valiantly to keep at bay, but he was fast losing the battle, and seeing him like that broke my heart.

"I should have..." I gently placed a finger over his lips.

"It's okay," I said quietly. Matt looked at me for a moment, then he looked away exhausted and worn out. I had no idea what to do. It was as if he had somehow transferred the guilt and responsibility for what Julian had done to me onto himself, and when I made his beautiful eyes lock on mine again, I was at a loss for words to persuade him otherwise, but I was going to try anyway.