Stella - POV

Damon blinked at me, not responding, and embarrassment crept in with the silence following my confession. I distanced myself as I saw him struggling. “It’s not like you have to answer me right away,” I said, realizing that expecting an immediate answer was foolish of me. I turned to leave.

“I can’t accept your feelings, Stella,” Damon said coldly; it stabbed me like a knife plunging into my heart. I slowly turned with courage to face Damon’s gaze and tried to keep my tears at bay.

“Why?” I asked.

“Don’t you think our relationship is weird? I am your brother-in-law. I... I can’t see you that way,”...