He Didn’t Kidnap Me. Not Exactly novel Chapter 127

Chapter 127

(Daisy’s POV)

With my utterance, DeLuca’s expression didn’t change immediately.

Which somehow made this worse.

“Why?”

Because your father threatened to erase me from existence.

Because I was chained to a chair.

Because apparently your entire family treats murder like administrative work.

Because I’m scared.

Instead I said:

“Because I want you to.”

The words felt ugly immediately. But I forced myself to continue.

“And because you are no more important to me than I am to you.”

That one hurt coming out.

Actually hurt.

For DeLuca, a muscle shifted slightly in his jaw.

Then his phone rang.

Mabel.

The name lit across the screen brightly enough for me to see it. And something bitter twisted inside my chest immediately.

Of course.

Of course she was calling. Of course they had gotten closer.

“Call later,” DeLuca said flatly before ending it instantly. Then his eyes returned to me.

“Why are you saying this?”

Because your father terrified me.

Because I think losing you would hurt more than it should.

Because I don’t know what’s happening to in my life anymore.

Instead I inhaled shakily and forced the words out.

“Because I want the truth to be out there for both of us to see.”

He stayed quiet.

So I kept going before I completely lost control of myself.

“I don’t belong in your world, DeLuca,” I said. “And you don’t belong in mine.”

My voice sounded strange now.

Too tight.

Too aware.

“You clearly have your own circles and your own type of people. I have mine too. Even if mine is basically just Aria- which honestly

sounds pathetic saying out loud.”

No reaction.

That added to things that made this harder.

“My point is…” I swallowed. “There’s no reason for this anymore.”

I forced myself to continue despite the growing pressure inside my chest.

“You already know I won’t expose anything about you. I have no reason to. And then there’s the danger part, where people apparently

keep trying to either kidnap or psychologically destroy me because I’m associated with you.”

I let out a small breathless laugh that didn’t sound like laughter at all.

“But that’s not your responsibility. You don’t have to protect me. It’s not your job to do so.”

Still nothing.

Why wasn’t he saying anything?

Why did that feel terrifying?

“There’s nothing tangible between us,” I finished finally. “It was only ever a weird contract.”

My breathing had gone uneven by the time I stopped speaking.

Not from the talking. But from the dread sitting heavily in my chest.

Because suddenly, horrifyingly… I realized something.

I didn’t actually want him to agree to all I’ve said

And the moment that realization hit, DeLuca took a step back.

Like he was attempting to leave.

Panic exploded through me instantly. And then pure instinct moved before pride could stop it.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify