Alpha's Twins Chapter 223

"WHAT?"

I couldn't hold it in anymore. I shot up from my chair so fast it nearly tipped over. Every single person in the coffee shop turned to stare at me.

But all I could focus on was Max. He sat there, completely calm, like he'd been expecting this exact reaction.

"Max, I— what is wrong with you?"

"Nothing's wrong with me."

"Do you even hear yourself right now?"

"Yeah, I do."

I shook my head, completely stunned. "I can't do this."

I spun around and suddenly realized everyone was still staring—Liana, the customers, everyone. My face burned with embarrassment.

I ripped off my apron and marched to the counter.

"I'm taking a break. I'll make up the hours tonight."

I slammed the apron down and stormed out.

The second I hit the sidewalk, I just started walking. No destination, no plan. Just walking.

The tears came again, hot and angry.

How could anyone possibly want me as their girlfriend?

I was divorced. I had kids. If my children were here with me, maybe I'd consider it—they deserved a father figure in their lives.

But they weren't here. They were with their dad.

My life was a complete disaster. I couldn't live like a normal woman. No one could actually like me. And I had no right to drag someone else into my mess.

A car horn jolted me out of my spiral.

I stopped and looked over. Max's car was creeping along beside me. His window rolled down.

"Natalia, just listen to me."

I shook my head frantically. "No, I can't. I already told you—I can't."

I picked up the pace. I heard his car door slam behind me, but I kept walking.

A few seconds later, hands wrapped around my wrist and spun me around.

Max's face had completely changed. Gone was that calm expression.

"Why can't you get it? You need to move on. You have a life too."

I jerked my hand away. "Oh, so this is charity? You're here to help the poor divorced woman move on with her life?"

The sarcasm dripped from every word.

"No, that's not what I meant," he said.

"Then what DO you mean? Why would you even ask me that? Why would you want someone who's divorced with two kids? You're young, Max. You're the kind of guy every girl wants to be with. How can you possibly want to be with me?"

He just stared at me. My words had hit their mark—because they were true.

"Max, you shouldn't say things like—"

"I like you, Natalia."

His interruption made my blood boil. "Like? How can you like someone after knowing them for two days?"

He let go of my hand and took a deep breath.

"I've liked you since the first day I came to your pack. Actually, the only reason I agreed to give your pack the cure was because you asked for it. When we met at that club in your territory, I was there waiting for you. I knew you'd show up. I went to your pack just to see you."

My lips started trembling. "W-What?"

He let out this defeated sigh, like he couldn't keep it bottled up anymore.

"Natalia, I've had feelings for you for a long time."