I leave work and find Braxton standing outside the hospital leaning against his car, waiting for me. I hate that my body responds to him, I hate my breath for hitching, I hate my blood for rushing, but I especially hate that I love him.

He looks effortlessly put together, as always. Strong, confident and if my eyes don't deceive me, he's ready for a fight.

"Hey, thanks for picking me up." I tell him, feeling awkward and unsure of myself.

His scowls. "Don't." Its a simple demand and I nod. knowing I'm being cordial and polite to a man I've done nothing but irritate for the last 2 days. Well, longer than that really.

    He opens the door for me and I get in as he settles in the drivers seat. He drives away, after five minutes I realize we're not going to my grandfathers house, but his apartment again. Which, is fine. However, I'll just have to arrange a ride back home tonight.

    I can sense his growing frustration with me but I can't worry about it, I need to stay focused. I just want to get to his apartment and tell him what I plan to do. Get it over with and take the plunge. He parks the car and we walk together to his door. The whole time I want to scream, "I'm giving you, your life back. You don't have to pretend anymore!"

He unlocks and holds the door open and I walk ahead of him. I jump when the door slams behind me. "I want to know everything. Right now." He demands, as I turn to look at him, his jaw set and his eyes intense.

I nod. "You're free." I tell him, simply. Priding myself on how calm I sound.

"Free?" He questions, his eyes narrowing.

"Yeah, I'm refusing the marriage. My grandfathers WILL. All of it." I tell him, feeling relieved and scared at the same time. "I spoke to Keith. He's okay with my decision and frankly we don't care how Brynn feels about it. She got her 5 million, she doesn't get a penny more. That part made us both happy." I say, smiling widely.

"Refusing?" He asks, in disbelief.

"Yes, I just can't." I tell him, anxiously. Meaning that I can't make him do it, but I choose my words carefully. Knowing how he feels towards honoring my Grandfathers last wishes. "We tried, but I won't do this." I repeat, pointing to him and myself.

The silence is deafening until he responds. "No. That's not going to happen. I just spent-" He starts to respond.

Realizing what he's about to say, I cut him off, "Oh, yes! Don't worry. Here." I state, taking off the ring and hold it out to him.

He shakes his head. "Put it back on."

"No, I know how much it cost you. You take it. Give it to someone else." I suggest, knowing he won't return it to the jewelry store.

    He looks confused and frustrated. So I wait for him to catch up to where I'm at. I can't expect him to know what he should do, he's been planning for our future, I'm sure he's angry that he invested so much of himself into our relationship. I don't blame him, poor guy. To give it your all only to find out you wasted your time has to rub him the wrong way.

I place the ring in my pocket, not wanting to put it back on and knowing he won't take it from me. He watches me his eyes clouding with an emotion I can't decipher. He closes his eyes, slowly. "Put it back on. You're not leaving me. Not now, not ever."

"Its not up to you. Its my choice." I remind him.

"And why they hell are you choosing to do this?" He shouts, angrily. "Haven't you been happy?"

"I'm doing it because its the right thing to do. I'm not good at this relationship thing, find someone better." I encourage.

"Better?" He asks, frustrated. "Enough, tell me what's caused this. I want the truth." He demands, stepping closer.

"The truth is complicated." I tell him, truthfully.

He shakes his head. "I'm waiting."

Knowing I won't get out of this without being honest I say, "I don't want to get married to someone that was forced to do it. I don't want to start a family like this. Its not right. I don't want the inheritance, its not worth it." I say, truthfully.

"You will still receive an allotted amount of money every month. Its not you that is disinherited, its Keith, Brynn, the hospital and other charities." He points out.

"Oh." I say, shocked. "I didn't realize."

He crosses his arms looking simply dejected. "What are your feelings for me?" He asks, simply.

I shrug. "I care about you." I lie, never will I admit to him how I really feel.

He nods thinking hard, then he sits down on the couch, motioning for me to follow him. I sit across from him in a chair. I see his perplexed face cloud for an instant before clearing as he comes to a conclusion. "How did you know I settled with Brynn for 5 million. I didn't tell you that." He states, suspiciously.

"I listened in the day you met with Brynn." I say, acting like its not a big deal, but feeling my face burn. Listened in, really means being sneaky and eavesdropping on a private matter.

He nods, "I'm not sure what I said, but you obviously didn't like something I said. What was it?" He asks, tiredly.

"Nothing bad. I just heard you tell her you're doing this to honor my grandfather's wishes. What you're doing is respectful, Braxton. But I can't let you do it for that reason. I think you were interested in me at one time, but I know thats changed."

"That hasn't changed, Charlotte. I want you." He states, standing up clearly annoyed.

I shake my head. I still haven't heard what I want to hear and I know I won't, you can't demand someone have feelings for you. I can't make him love me.

"I should get going before it gets too late." I say, turning towards the door.

"Charlotte, I won't let you cast me aside. We've been intimate, we could be starting a family." He points out, stubbornly.

"I realize that. I remember you refusing to wear protection." I say, feeling a little bitter about it.

"Thats right." He states, taking full responsibility.

"So, I'll let you know." I respond, standing up as well.

I remember the ring and reach into my pocket. I bring it out and the business card Dr. Winslow gave me today falls, landing right next to his shoe. I bend down to pick it up but he beats me to it. He looks at the card, his face set in a scowl. I know what it looks like and I feel my palms start to sweat.

I hold out the ring to him and he glances up from the card.