THIRTEEN - NIKITA

Sebastian looked at me like I had a second head. He said "Nikita" in a slow way. "What the hell are you saying?"

"You said you would marry me so we could save the others." More tears came out of my eyes, and I hated myself for being such a show, but my body stopped listening to me. "Because you needed protection from your mother until I could give it to you. But now I can!" I pointed to the table where we'd signed the papers that gave me and us access to a huge amount of money that was almost unimaginable. "No, Sebastian, I am not her. Your mother is not me. I won't—I won't make you marry me and give up everything you want just to keep other people safe!"

He just looked at her for a moment. I stayed put and waited for him to figure it out. He'd do it. He'd figure it all out and get it, just like Aiyssa had told me. He would know that I knew this because I didn't tell him.

The time went on and on. I wobbled on my feet, tired and sad in a moment that should have been a moment of victory