The Last Time I Cried Your Name novel Chapter 533

"Shut up!"

Petty frowned fiercely, the sharp reprimand leaving her lips the second he finished speaking.

Her heightened emotions made her eyes look even redder. She turned her head toward the pitch-black ocean in the distance as crystalline tears spilled over.

"Actually, I did wonder if you were Malcom at one point, but I dismissed the thought almost instantly. Do you know why?"

She tried to swallow down the wave of grievance, her lips trembling slightly. The agonizing memories made it completely impossible to control herself.

Watching her, Franco felt as if a chunk of his heart had been violently carved out. Her falling tears felt like they were dropping straight into that empty void in his chest, burning so hot his vision went dark for a second.

He gripped the edge of the table hard, remorse flooding his dark, predatory eyes.

Why else?

"Because," Franco paused, his voice grating and harsh, "I broke your heart."

Meanwhile, Malcom had saved her from danger time and time again. He had protected her, and on Christmas Eve, after she had been thrown out of The White Estate, he had taken her to the beach to release a Sky Lantern.

A soft, broken laugh escaped Petty's throat. Tears streamed down her face in unbroken lines as she reached for the bottle without a second thought.

"Consider that my fourth question."

She tilted her head back and drank. Tears slid into her hairline, dampening her temples. The reddened corners of her eyes looked like a dying butterfly with broken wings, stripped of even the strength to struggle.

The bottle hit the floor with a thud. She sat quietly with her head hung low for a long moment before she looked up and sighed.

"Sorry you had to see that." She rubbed her face hard. She had no idea what kind of alcohol Franco had brought, but it had to be strong.

She had a low tolerance, and drinking like this already had her feeling buzzed.

Franco silently picked up the dropped bottle so she wouldn't trip over it later. The table between them was small, and with his long reach, he grabbed a tissue and gently dabbed the remaining tears from her face.

Petty dodged his touch, letting out a breathy laugh. "You've always been like this. Slicing me open with a dull knife."

"You memorized all my preferences. Jay knew I liked my meat pies a certain way because you told him. Susan knew exactly when my time of the month was the first time she took care of me because you told her."

"I figured it out, actually. Most of it. But Franco, if you wanted to hate me, you should have just hated me. If you wanted to love me, you should have just loved me. Did you ever stop to consider if my heart could take it?"

Her voice grew quieter and quieter as she spoke, fading into nothingness. She raised her right hand and tapped a finger against her chest.

Whatever. It didn't matter anymore.

Petty's voice was hoarse and slurred. "You still have... one last question..."

Franco knelt halfway in front of the sofa, clutching her hand. She didn't fight him, but holding her felt like trying to grasp mist—one gust of wind and she would scatter completely.

He held on tight, pressing her hand to his lips for a kiss.

The moon dipped westward. He sat on the sofa, using his other hand to gently guide her head against his chest. Staring down at her half-closed eyes, his sharp Adam's apple bobbed.

"If I let go, where do you want to go the most?"

Cradled against his chest, Petty rested her cheek over his heart. Her left ear took in his question, while her previously injured right ear listened to the steady, powerful rhythm of his heartbeat.

Her right ear, which hadn't hurt in a long time, throbbed faintly.

A choked voice drifted up from his embrace.

"To a place without you."