Page 146 of The Bittersweet Bond

Ben raised his hands in surrender. “Got it. No intentions, nothing. It’s all strictly platonic.”

Bas let the words sink in, but they didn’t ease the tension in his chest. Ben could say whatever he wanted—it didn’t mean the unease would disappear. But Bas forced himself to nod.

Evin shot him a quick look, and he knew she was watching him—not to scoldhim, but to make sure he meant it. And damn it, he wanted her to see that. That he was doing this for her.

“Okay,” Bas murmured eventually. He couldn’t ignore it, not really, but he could let it… rest.

“But let me tell you one thing: if he provokes me, I’m not guaranteeing anything.”

Ben smirked slightly but nodded. “Understood.”

Evin stepped back, her shoulders relaxing as if she had just walked a tightrope.

Why do you even bother? he wanted to ask her, but the answer was obvious. She believed in him—even when he didn’t believe in himself.

“Good. Now, let’s get to work,” she said, her tone lighter, almost relieved, as she turned toward the door.

Bas watched her go, his gaze lingering a second too long on her back. He wasn’t an idiot—he knew he wasn’t the easiest person to deal with. But she still looked at him like he could be more. And that was enough to drive him insane.

Evin left the room. As Bas moved to follow her, Ben’s voice stopped him.

“Wait.”

That one word made him pause, turning back. Ben stood there, his hands relaxed at his sides, but there was a tension in his eyes that wouldn’t let go.

“I saw Sergej,” Ben said. “Earlier, near the loading entrance.”

The weight of the words hit Bas like a punch, knocking the air out of the room.

“What did you just say?” His voice was deep, almost a growl, as he took a step closer to Ben.

“I saw him here,” Ben repeated, slower now, as if he knew that every word was gasoline to a fire. “He was outside, no idea what he’s doing here. But—” He hesitated for a second, then shook his head. “I figured you should know.”

The rage hit Bas like a storm, hot and consuming. Sergej. Here. It was like every fiber of his being was rebelling, like everything inside him was demanding confrontation. How dare this guy show up? After everything that… He wasn’t sure, not entirely. But he knew enough.

“What the hell is he doing here?” Bas asked, his voice rough, each word like a stone in his throat.

“I don’t know.” Ben shrugged, his gaze searching, almost apologetic. “But he had this look. Like he was here for a reason.”

The image of Sergej—casual, indifferent, just a few steps away from Evin—burned into Bas’ mind. The audacity to even be in the same space as her made his blood boil. Before he even noticed, his hands clenched into fists, the fury in him rising, hot and unstoppable.

“Do you know what happened between him and Evin?” Ben asked quietly, his brow furrowed, as if he was trying to piece together a puzzle he didn’t fully understand.

“No,” Bas forced out, his gaze locked on the floor. “But I know enough to be sure he has no business being here.”

Ben nodded slowly, but the look in his eyes remained skeptical, like he could sense there was more neither of them were saying.

“Whatever this was between them…” He paused briefly, his tone careful but direct. “I don’t think Evin can handle it alone.”

Bas lifted his head, and for a moment, his eyes were a storm—dark, unreadable.

“She won’t have to,” he said, his voice so quiet it was dangerous. “If he’s here, it’s not a coincidence. And if he makes one wrong move…”

He let the sentence hang in the air, but Ben shook his head. “Don’t make this worse, Bas.”

“That’s not your decision.”

With a sharp, determined step, Bas shoved the door open and disappeared outside. The cool air hit him, but it did nothing to cool the heat inside him. He didn’t know where Sergej was, but it didn’t matter.

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