Aurelia’s POV
Outside, Axel leaned against his red sports car, a cigar between his fingers, smoke curling from his lips. His eyes caught mine, and he rushed forward, cupping my cheeks—but I flinched.
“Sorry,” he murmured, voice soft, gaze fixed on the marks on my face. “Did he hurt you again?”
“Get out of my way,” I snapped through gritted teeth, unwilling to waste a drop of energy on him. If he hadn't come over, I wouldn't have had this argument with Trevor.
Trevor’s aura still clung to me, heavy and suffocating. My limbs were lead, my lips dry. Axel wasn’t worth a crumb of my strength.
“How can I let you be like this?” He groaned, resting his hands on my shoulders. I yanked away.
“Axel, you should have received my breakup text.”
This clearly stung him.
The softness drained from h
