Richard's gaze turned sharp, assessing her as if debating whether to answer. Why do I hate her so much? he repeated Shantel's question to himself as he leaned back in his chair.
"You really want to know?" His voice was low, almost dangerous as he ensured his gaze remained locked with the one and only woman he felt he couldn't keep anything from? But it was also not a pleasant thing discussing his irritating past with the woman he loves.
If not that he didn't want anything to come between them in the future—that's if she decides to take his affection seriously—he wouldn't have said anything.
Shantel's eyes met his gaze without flinching. "Yes," she prompted gently.
He let out a cold chuckle. "Fine. You want my perspective? Here it is—I hate Shantel Hale because she destroyed my life."
Shantel kept her expression neutral, but something inside her tightened. "That's a pretty bold claim," she said. "How exactly did she manage that?"
