55

Fifty five

*Freya*

Rafe held me tightly. I allowed myself to feel safe in his embrace for a perfect moment. Then with a surge of strength, I pushed Rafe away from me, breaking his hold. "No! Just...stop." My voice trembled with barely contained anguish. "Even if what you say is true, it doesn't matter. None of it matters."

Rafe's brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about? Of course it matters."

I shook my head vehemently, hot tears pricking at my eyes once more. "No, it doesn't. Because no matter what either of us feels, we both know the truth - you will never be mine. I can never be yours." A ragged breath escaped my lungs. "I'm withdrawing from the competition. Tonight."

Shock transformed Rafe's handsome features, his eyes going wide. "What? No! You can't..." He reached for me again but I slipped out of his grasp.

"I can and I will." Steely determination threaded through my words even as my heart splintered. "This...whatever this is between us...it's an impossible dre