In Bed With Her Shithead Boss (By Ellie Wynters) novel Chapter 330

"It's not just that," she said, tears spilling down her cheeks. "It's everything. The pressure, the scrutiny, feeling like I'm constantly being judged and found wanting."

"Keira…" Alexei said, his brow furrowed with concern.

"No, you want to hear it… I don't know how to be what everyone expects," Keira confessed, her voice breaking. "I'm more scared of letting you down than I have ever worried about anything in my life before. I never worried about what everyone thought of me before." She looked up at him, vulnerability raw in her eyes. "But what… what if I'm not enough?"

"I don't expect you to be anything but yourself," he said firmly. "The woman I fell in love with. You are enough… you are my perfect match."

"But that's not enough, is it?" She pulled her hands away, wiping at her tears. "Not for a future princess. Not for Wystovia."

"It's enough for me." His voice softened. "And the people will come around, Keira. Change takes time. You are expecting a lot in just a week."

She looked at him, glad to see the hurt and anger was gone from his eyes now. Warmth flooded through Keira at Alexei's words. Even with her fears still swirling inside her, his statement settled something deep within her. She searched his face, finding nothing but truth in his eyes. He wasn't saying this to make her happy or calm her down. He would choose her over the title.

"You would really do that, wouldn't you?" she whispered. "Walk away from everything you've known?"

"In a heartbeat," he replied without hesitation, his thumbs gently brushing away the remnants of her tears. "This crown, this country... they're part of me, but they're not worth sacrificing what we have. I think I have loved you for longer than I was willing to admit."

Keira's breath caught in her throat. In his words she found hope and that meant everything to her. Because other than her sisters she had never felt she was truly wanted by anyone. Not their aunt and uncle who had taken them in and not their daughter Laura. It was part of the reason she had built the wall around her heart.

"But I don't want you to have to make that choice," she admitted, covering his hands with hers. "I just... I don't want to be the reason your people turn against you."

Alexei shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "My people have survived much worse than their prince falling in love with a mouthy American."

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify