***BOOK 3 - This is NOT a "Ryden" story.

And on another note, I'm hoping to put more of Brendon's point of view in this book this time. I know several of you really enjoyed seeing how Brendon "thinks" in the situations given in the previous books. ***

"Hannah come on! I didn't mean any harm by it!" Brendon's voice echoed from behind me and I felt hot tears escaping my eyes and make their way down my cheeks. My breathing became unsteady as I reached the bottom of the stairs. It was a struggle to keep what I had for lunch down in my stomach, but I managed. "I told you I was sorry!"

"Sorry isnt good enough!" I quickly spin on my heel and glare at him. His chocolate brown eyes staring down at me. I had to struggle not to melt at the sight of them. He held out his hand sympathetically to me, but I couldn't help but to slap it away. "I don't care how much you feel bad, Brendon. You forgot our first anniversary. I can't just forgive you that easily."

"I'm not asking you to. Yes, I know I fucked up. I've had a lot on my mind recently, trust me. But that doesn't mean I don't love you any less." He took a step closer to me. His hand slowly reached up to my face and he wiped away a tear. "Let me make it up to you."

"There's no way to fix this Brendon." Once again I took a step away from him and slapped his hand away once more. My heart felt shattered. I just couldn't believe that he forgot one of the most important days between us. Yes, shit happened a year ago, but that doesn't change the fact that we are married. It doesn't change the fact that today is our anniversary. Especially since he pretty much had a count down to this very day.

"There has to be some way. Come on, please Hannah. I love you so much. I cant stand to see you like this." Brendon was a mess. His eyes got all foggy and his cheeks turned slightly pink as if he were flustered. But I couldn't let him win. Falling under the spell of his charm wasn't going to work. Not this time. I couldn't let it happen. But look at his face! You're breaking him! I don't care how he feels right now. You kinda have to. And you feel it deep down in your heart.

"It's too late for your apology." I ignore the voice in my head telling me otherwise. "I'm spending the night at Kat's place." Tears were still streaming down my face as I grabbed my car keys and walked over to the door.

"Hannah, please!" Before my hand could even come into contact with the doorknob, he gripped my shoulder tightly causing me to wince at the slight pain. "I'll do anything for you to forgive me. Anything." I look over my shoulder to see him struggling to keep back his own tears wanting to escape. It's not too late to give in. To fall into his arms. Go away, I don't need you right now. You know you wanna stay and let him entice you.

I placed my hand upon his, which was the one resting on my shoulder and I saw him smile slightly. My mind still couldn't take any of this tonight. One night is all I'm asking to clear my thoughts. Maybe then I'll be back and fall into his arms once again. But for now, I wouldn't do it. It's a loss for you tonight. Pushing his hand off my shoulder and turning away, I could tell how heartbroken he must be, and I didn't even have to take in a second glance. But I didn't want to turn back around to actually see his face. Stop breaking him. The voice in my head was getting stronger by the second. I really need to leave.

"Hannah, I feel terrible. Please stay. We can work things out." Brendon grabbed me and turned me around to face him once more. I turned my head to the side and squeezed my eyes shut, not wanting to look at him. Not wanting to give in. It wasn't an option.

"I told you, I'm spending the night at Kat's house. Working things out isn't going to happen, not tonight." I swallowed hard and struggled out of his grip on my upper arms. But he just wouldn't let go. I scrunch my face up as I try to undo the hold he had on me.

"I know a way to make it up to you." Brendon sighed. "Just give me the chance to do so." His hot breath grazed against my skin as he kissed my cheek. His lips slowly made their way down my cheek and onto my neck. I felt my body start to loosen from all the tension it once held. At that moment, I knew I had started to weaken. And he seemed to have sensed my sudden reaction. He started to take advantage of the situation he put me in, and pushed me against the wall. I gasped at the sudden force of movement and ended up dropping my keys to the hard wood floor. Yes! The voice was now screaming inside my head. This was how Brendon wins. This was how he always wins. "Stay here with me. Please, babe." My heart melted. It finally melted. And at that moment, I realized I just made this ten times worse.

I could feel Brendon smile as he kept kissing me. I wanted so desperately for him to keep going. My mind kept screaming, 'Yes! Yes!' . But my gut feeling told me to push him away, and that exactly what I did. Though my heart was longing for him to continue, I bent down and grabbed my keys once more and looked him straight in his eyes. His shining brown eyes.

"No." Hot tears were still escaping from the corners of my eyes. "I'm not going to let you win. Not this time, Brendon." A frown appeared upon his face.

"Alright." He sighed and backed away from me. "Just know that I truly am sorry, Hannah. And I hope that there is something that I can do. But if you feel the need to go to Kat's then fine. I can't stop you." He raised his hands slightly in surrender. And his head hung in disappointment. My heart ached knowing how okay he was with my leaving for the night. But then again, I was being a bit stubborn with him at the moment.

I was lost for words. In all honesty, his final acceptance of me leaving frightened me. Brendon was the one to rarely ever give up on a situation. Was he really giving up on me?

"I'll...talk to you soon." It was a struggle to get out any words. You fucked up. Why would you let yourself do this?

I swallowed hard and stumbled out of the house. My vision was blurred to the extent of not being able to see the steps in front of me. I got into my car and drove off as quickly as I could.

~~~

As soon as I pulled into her driveway, I cut off the engine and just sat there. I sat in the drivers seat taking in the overwhelming silence. My eyes fixated on the needle that indicated if I needed to fill up the gas. For some reason, I couldn't get my eyes off of it. My body felt numb to my core. It was as if I couldn't feel anything anymore. There were no longer any tears escaping my eyes. It was as if I just couldn't cry anymore. Even though I feel as if I need to. I felt as if it should be an endless waterfall from my eyes. But they had become dry.

"Hannah?!" She tapped on the window. I slightly jumped from the sudden noise in my ear. "Hannah, is everything okay?" I didn't move, and my eyes never left the tiny needle.

Kat opened the car door and knelt down besides me. I could see out of the corner of my eye, that she was looking at me as she were staring at a puzzle, trying to figure out which two pieces fit together. She sighed when she finally stood up and practically dragged me out of the vehicle. My legs felt as if they were jelly. Walking became a struggle for me as we walked up the pathway to her door. My whole body ached.

"Come on, you big useless thing." Kat mumbled as she helped me through the doorframe and into her house. It's honestly been so long since I've stepped foot in here. She usually comes to my house when we see each other. Or we go meet up somewhere. I believe the last time I was actually here was before the wedding. Oh the marvelous wedding that had been ruined by the person I despise the most. But besides that, it had been one of the greatest days of my life.

She brought me over to her heavily furnished living area and sat me down on her cream colored sofa. My body still felt numb. And if I were to try and talk, my voice would be nothing but a raspy whisper.

"What happened, Hannybear?" She plopped herself down next to me smiling, probably hoping that I'd do the same. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. "What did he do? Do I need to beat his ass?" I loved how she knew who it was that was on my mind. She had always been that way. It was one of the many reasons I loved her.

"No." My voice was barely a whisper. I debated on whether or not to continue. "He...He forgot it...Our anniversary." I felt a lump forming in my throat as I spoke. And this would be the point in time where I would start to cry. But just like before, nothing came out. My eyes didn't get fogged up. Nothing. I didn't understand why this was happening. It was as if I had no emotion at all towards this. Now was the time to show weakness Hannah. Still nothing happened. I just felt drained of eveything.

Kat sighed. "I'm sorry. Maybe...Maybe he had a lot going on today and it slipped his mind." She pulled me into her arms for a hug. My only response was a slight shrug and I accepted her hug. Really the only thing I wanted to accept at the moment...