Meryl's POV
The tears came without warning. Once they started, there was no stopping them. My body had finally surrendered to the storm I'd been fighting to contain.
Andre stood frozen, his chest rising and falling with labored breaths. He wasn't saying anything. Just staring at me with those tormented eyes, a cocktail of rage, remorse, and guilt swirling in their depths. But I was beyond caring about his inner turmoil.
He dragged his fingers through his dark hair, frustration radiating from every muscle in his body. "Meryl," he breathed, taking a tentative step forward. "God, I'm so sorry."
I refused to meet his gaze. I couldn't bear to look at him. My entire body was shaking, my legs barely supporting me as I wrapped my arms around myself in a desperate attempt to hold the pieces together.
"I never meant to push that far," his voice cracked like breaking glass. "I lost myself completely. Hurting you was never my intention."
