Chapter 40

ALEJANDRO'S Pov I was aware that everything would collapse the moment I said yes. The room felt too still, too dark, like the quiet before an explosion, even though the city lights were still leaking through the window behind me. Camila's broken bracelet was on the ground. I may have wanted to step on it, but I had stepped on it by mistake. Perhaps breaking it was simpler than verbally shattering her heart. Yet here I was, on the verge of doing both. What was my option? I tried to be calm, but my hands were shaking and my jaw was tight as I stared at my reflection in the glass. My voice wouldn’t stop echoing in my head. This is not fair to her. But she dies if you don't. "Is this what you want?" When she had asked me that earlier, her voice had cracked. I didn't respond at the time. I was unable to. Now, though, I had to. Behind me, the door creaked open. I didn't even look. "You arrived." "You made a call." Her voice sounded icy, but I was too familiar with it. It wasn't ice. It was a