PENELOPE POV

This is not possible.

My eyes held fear as those words left Astride lips like they meant absolutely nothing. He was rejecting me. I felt a dying in my chest. Even though burning tears had gathered in my eyes, I tried to convince myself that it was for the best.

Suddenly, he paused, almost as if the words were stuck in his throat. I could see the shock and confusion in his eyes through glassy vision.

"Why did you stop?" My lips moved faster than I would have liked, as I listened to the fast beating of my heart. His hold on me tightened hard.

"Finish it, reject...