CHAPTER EIGHTY-ONE

"Amelia," Nickolas calls out, his hand gently waving in front of my face to recapture my attention.

I blink, my mind snapping back to the present. "Sorry, what did you just say?" I ask, my voice trembling slightly as I stare at him.

"I was..." he begins, but I can't bear to let him finish. The raw vulnerability in his eyes is too much.

"Don't repeat it," I interrupt quickly, my heart aching for him. I can only imagine the courage it took for him to reveal to me the first time.

"Amelia," he continues, his voice barely above a whisper, "I know it's a lot to take in, and I would understand if being with someone like me isn't appealing anymore. But please, still be in my life. It wouldn't be complete without you."

His words wash over me, and my heart swells to the point of bursting. Tears well up in my eyes as I take in the man before me—so strong, yet so afraid of losing me. I never imagined that Nickolas, being the enemy, would utter such a heartfelt plea.

"Please say something,"