Nick let out a cold laugh. “Xena, don’t tell me you’re still foolish enough to believe that I’d be
25 BONUS
hung up on you a divorced sociallte cast aside her family?”
Xena’s face turned deathly pale. She looked as if he couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Trembling, she asked, “Nicky, what are you saying? I don’t understand.”
“You don’t understand? Fine. Let me make it crystal clear for you,” Nick said, his lips curling into a sneer that was more menacing than amused. “Xena, you’re nothing but a used–up, forgotten woman that no one wants anymore. Do you really think someone like you is still worthy of being with me? Don’t kid yourself. You’re not even close to being good enough.”
The blow was so sudden and ruthless that Xena froze, her mind unable to process what was happening. Her face drained of color as she stumbled back, shaking her head in disbelief.
“No… That’s not possible,” she muttered, her voice cracking. “You still love me. I know you do. One phone call from me, and you ran to the airport to pick me up. You even brought me to your home to stay. And to stand up for me, you forced Mia to drink that poison that caused her unbearable pain!
“You love me! You must still love me! If you didn’t, why would you do all of this? Why?
cried.-
