Page 104 of The Bittersweet Bond

Her voice was sharper than she intended. But she held her mask in place.

Bas ran a hand through his hair, nervous yet determined.

"I was an idiot, okay?" His voice was quiet but steady as he finally spoke the words. "I ignored you, pushed you away, because I…" He stopped, and Evin saw him searching for the right words. "Because I didn’t know how to deal with it. With us. I think I’ve had feelings for you for longer than I want to admit. I just didn’t see it."

Evin let out a dry laugh, the sound fading into the cold night air.

"You're realizing this now?" She glared at him, her eyes burning despite the freezing air. And yet, all she could think about was the night she couldn’t undo—the one Bas would never understand.

"And where were you when I needed you?" The words came out sharper than she intended. "You were just gone, Bas. Ignoring me… playing games with Cat."

He swallowed hard, his jaw tightening.

"I know." His voice was raw. "And I’m sorry, okay? You have no idea what it was like for me, watching you…"

He shook his head, breaking off.

"Watching you change, and not knowing what the hell I was supposed to do."

Evin scoffed.

She had expected anger to boil inside her, but instead, all she felt was the weight of disappointment.

"If you had said something… before I…" She trailed off, her thoughts drifting to Sergej. But she wouldn’t say that name. Not today.

"You left me hanging," she finally said, her voice quieter now.

"I was a coward." Bas took a step closer, his voice softer, but his words hit like a punch. "I let you go because I was scared of losing you. And ironically… that's exactly why I lost you."

Evin hesitated, her gaze drifting to his hand—so close to hers.

She could have hurt him right now. Crushed him with words.

But instead, she let him sweat. Let him suffer.

Her heart pounded faster, and though the anger was still there, another feeling lingered beneath it—one she couldn’t shake, no matter how hard she tried.

She had missed him. It was ridiculous how much she had needed him.

"You’re lucky," she whispered finally, forcing a smile onto her lips. "I’m too drunk to be really mad at you."

She pushed him aside gently, but the smirk playing on her lips was both mocking and sweet.

"But you’re far from off the hook."

Basstared at her, his eyes locking onto hers like he was trying to read her mind.

he could feel it—the unspoken question between them, hanging in the air.

But she didn’t want to go there.

Not tonight.

Then—he stepped closer.

So close, only inches separated them.

"I never was," he murmured.

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