Page 160 of The Bittersweet Bond

Evin nodded, even as her fingers clenched around the glass, so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

Her shoulders squared, her chin lifted just slightly.

“I’ve got this under control,” she said, more to herself than to Milka.

But inside, a storm raged.

Sergej had already taken enough from her and Evin had sworn she would never let him make her feel that way again.

She would look at him. She would stand her ground.

You didn’t see me as weak then. And you won’t see me as weak now.

Bas seemed to have noticed the shift in the atmosphere.

His eyes were fixed on her, full of concern and unspoken questions. “What’s wrong?” he asked quietly, his posture already tense, his presence both reassuring and unsettling at the same time.

“Nothing important,” Evin said, forcing herself to smile.

Her voice was surprisingly steady, even though inside, she was trembling with tension. “I just saw my mom and I’m going to say hi real quick.”

Before anyone could stop her—before Bas or Milka could get another second to read through her forced composure—she pushed herself away from the group.

Each step felt heavy, like she was walking against the resistance of her own fear.

Her thoughts were racing. She hadn’t told anyone that she was ready to face Sergej once and for all.

Maybe because she wasn’t even sure if she really was.

But now, with every step bringing her closer to him, she knew there was no other choice.

This chapter had to end—and it had to end on her terms.

Evin weaved through the crowd, the cool glass of water in her hand acting as an anchor she held onto tightly.

Her mind was a chaotic mess of memories, fears, and an unshakable will.

Sergej’s presence felt like a shadow, swallowing all the light around her.

But this time, she was ready to confront him.

For herself.

For the Evin she was.

For the part of her that she needed to protect.

I am not the girl I used to be. He has no power over me anymore.

The words repeated in her mind like a mantra, steadying her as she got closer.

Evin maneuvered through the crowd.

The warm lighting of the tent reflected in the glasses held by the guests.

A waiter with a silver tray skillfully navigated between groups, while a couple at one of the tables was caught in an animated discussion.

Everything felt so normal—like this evening carried no shadows.

---