My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 62

Chapter 62

“It is protection. We’ve stopped three attacks already. Saved lives, Emma. Your life.”

“At what cost?” I knelt beside his chair, forcing him to look at me. “Jeremy, I appreciate what you’re doing. I do. But not at the expense of your health. Not if it means watching you slowly kill yourself with guilt and exhaustion.”

“I have to do this,” he said desperately. “Don’t you see? Vanessa made those contracts because of me. Because I had the affair, because I hurt her. Those rogues are coming for you because of my choices. I have to stop them.”

“There it is.” I sat back. “You’re not doing this to protect me. You’re doing it to punish yourself. To make up for your perceived sins by martyring yourself.”

“That’s not-”

“Dr. Chen warned us about this. About how guilt can manifest in seemingly productive ways but still be self–destructive.” I met his eyes. “You’re still drowning, Jeremy. You’re just drowning in action instead of inaction.”

He was quiet for a long moment. Then: “What am I supposed to do? Just let the rogues come? Let you live in danger because taking care of myself is more important than keeping you safe?”

“You’re supposed to do the work sustainably,” I said. “Hunt the rogues, yes. Protect the pack, absolutely. But also eat. Sleep. Actually engage with therapy instead of showing up half–dead every Thursday.”

“I don’t have time for-”

“Make time!” I stood, frustration boiling over. “Jeremy, I can’t do this anymore. Can’t watch you self–destruct and call it love. Can’t keep wondering if the next time you go out hunting is the last time I’ll see you alive.”

“Emma-”

“I’m serious. If you don’t start taking care of yourself, if you don’t stop using this hunt as another way to avoid healing-“I stopped, the words catching in my throat. “I can’t be with someone who’s determined to destroy themselves. Even if it’s for noble reasons.”

The ultimatum hung between us. I hadn’t planned to say it, hadn’t meant to draw that line. But seeing him like this–exhausted, starving, barely holding himself together I realized I meant it.

I couldn’t watch him die slowly. Couldn’t enable his self–destruction by accepting it as protection.

“You’d walk away?” His voice was barely a whisper. “If I don’t–if I can’t-

“I’d walk away to save my own sanity,” I said. “Because loving you shouldn’t mean watching you kill yourself. And I do love you, Jeremy. That’s why this hurts so much.”

He was crying now, silent tears streaming down his face. “I don’t know how to stop. Don’t know how to balance protecting you with taking care of myself. Every time I try to rest, I think about those rogues out there, planning, preparing. And I can’t-”

“Then let others help,” I interrupted gently. “Your father has intelligence wolves. The pack has hunters. You don’t have to do this alone.”

“But it’s my responsibility-‘

“It’s the pack’s responsibility. You’re not the only one who cares about keeping me safe.” I moved closer again, my hand finding his face. “Jeremy, please. I need you healthy. Need you actually present, not burning yourself out on some guilt–fueled mission.”

He leaned into my touch, his eyes closing. “I’m so tired, Emma. So fucking tired. But every time I think about stopping, about resting, I see Vanessa’s face. Hear her threats. And I can’t-

“I know.” I brushed away his tears with my thumb. “But you’re not alone in this. Let your father coordinate the hunt. Let the pack’s intelligence network track the contracts. You can be part of it without killing yourself.”

+15 Bonus ®

“What if softmething happens while I’m resting? What if _”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify