She didn't call him names.

She sounded distant and determined.

'I can explain.' Austyn suppressed the rising tide of panic in his chest.

Kira shook her head and had to stop when she felt dizzy.Material © of .

'No, I don't want to hear it. I don't want to hear anything from you, ever. Whatever happened to you, whatever you did, it's none of my business anymore. Her voice caught. 'Austyn McCarthy, I want a divorce. The last time she brought up the topic, he went apoplectic and dislocated her shoulder.

Kira braced herself.

She would take whatever tantrums he would throw, but she wasn't about to change her mind.

The emotional roller coaster ride he put her through for the past ten days was not something she'd ever want to experience again.

Austyn didn't fly into a rage this time.

He took in her words with an impassive face.

But his bloodshot eyes and flared nostrils gave him away.

He stared at her, as if trying to telepathically order her to take back her word.

Kira didn't yield.

"There's no "divorce" in my dictionary,' he said.

His ice-cold voice matched hers.

'You'll either be my wife, or my widow. The only way you leave me is over my dead body.'

Kira wanted to pull her hair out.

No, not hers.

She should pull HIS hair out.

Or maybe get a loudhailer to play her words right next to his ear for twenty-four hours a day. Maybe that was the only way he would listen to her.

Ever Be Fine Between

Nothing Will Ever Be Fine Between Us Again

Kira used to admire Austyn for his assertiveness.

He was so decisive, a typical Type A personality who never took no for an answer.

Some said he achieved success by ruthlessly running roughshod over anyone who got in his way.

But it didn't feel so good now that she was on the receiving end of his imposing will.

If you want me to explain, I'll explain. Just don't mention divorce again. You can be mad at me all you want, but don't throw hurtful words like that around."

"Hurtful? Kira shook her head, incredulous. 'Do you honestly expect me to believe a man like you would be hurt by such a simple word like divorce? Do you even know what real hurt feels like?' Austyn pursed his lips.

He could feel blood seeping out from his chest wound.

He shifted his body so Kira wouldn't see his right side.

'Hurt is hearing your husband say he loves you, right before he leaves to spend time with another woman.' Kira thought Austyn was turning away from her, which enraged her.

Hurt is not knowing what happened to your husband when he went missing for ten days.'

Tears welled up in her eyes.

'Hurt is begging his friends for any scrap of news, only to have them shut the door in your face."

Kira blinked away the tears.

'Hurt is knowing he contacted his employees and his friends, which means his phone worked fine. He just wouldn't call his wife.

'I can exp-'Austyn started to say.

'Don't!' Kira clenched her fist. 'Any explanation is pointless now.'

Austyn was afraid to touch her.

Her cheeks were flushed crimson.

She looked like a powder keg about to go off.

'Okay.' He backed away a step. 'I know you don't want to listen right now. It's fine. I'll—'

'It's not fine.' She shook her head. 'Nothing will ever be fine between us again.

'No, don't say that!' He resisted the urge to draw her into his arms. 'I know what I did is inexcusable. You can scold me, punish me. Slap me again if you want, just don't ever mention divorce again." Austyn fastened his gaze on her face. 'I can give you anything you want, anything but that.'

His voice was gentle, but it came from the same domineering man who brooked no dissent. Rage coursed through Kira's veins.

She gave him a hard shove with both hands. 'I want you to leave!'

She struck him in the chest and arms and stomach

Austyn took her blows without putting up a fight.

He let her push him towards the door.

When he was at the threshold, he took hold of her hand. 'Fine, I'll leave. But you're coming with me.'

He wasn't about to retum to the villa empty-handed.

He was leaving here with either her forgiveness or her person.

'I live here now!' Kira pointed to her bed. 'I'm not going anywhere with you. Get lost!'

The door was already halfway open.

Austyn kicked it shut again.

Then I'll just have to live here too.'

The dull ache in his chest was now getting sharper.

He was glad he wore a dark-coloured suit today.

Kira, in her agitation, had not noticed Austyn's face going pale.

He felt his arms going numb.

His shirt must be stained entirely red by now.

Austyn took one step and saw stars.

He was getting light-headed from the blood loss.

Kita stamped her feet, exasperated. 'Austyn McCarthy, what on earth d

Ever Be Fine Between Us Again

You, I want you, Kira.

Kira was running out of ways to make him leave.

she eyed the open window again but nixed the idea.

Austyn stepped past her and strolled back to where she was standing.

He stood with his back to her, blinking away the black dots in front of his eyes.

He took in the small room with two sets of bunk beds. 'Which one's yours?'

Kira refused to tell him.

Austyn worked the clues.

He dismissed the two bottom beds.

They were usually taken by the girls who were here first.

He glanced at the top bunk bed on the left and saw Kira clench her jaw.

So this was it.