Page 162 of The Bittersweet Bond

She inhaled deeply, filling her lungs with the crisp night air, but the knot in her chest refused to loosen.

Her gaze wandered across the dimly lit space ahead of her.

Then—

She froze.

A familiar silhouette.

Ben?

He was standing off to the side, beneath a tree that was only faintly illuminated.

A woman stood next to him.

Elegant, wrapped in a light coat, her hair pinned up in a way that made her look effortlessly refined.

She was speaking softly, her hands gesturing expressively as she talked.

Ben nodded occasionally, listening.

Attentive.

Protective.

What… is he doing here?

Evin frowned, her steps faltering slightly as she tried to make sense of what she was seeing.

Her eyes were locked on Ben—on the quiet intensity in his expression, on the small, nearly imperceptible ways his posture shifted, like he was truly invested in this moment.

Then—The woman touched his arm.

Ben laughed.

Not his usual laugh.

Not the one she knew.

Something softer. More private.

Evin narrowed her eyes slightly, trying to get a clearer look, but the shadows kept her from seeing the woman’s face.

What kind of conversation is this?

It didn’t look like an argument. But the closeness between them—the quiet familiarity—made something in her hesitate.

She wasn’t supposed to witness this.

And then—

A sudden impact knocked the breath from her lungs.

The glass in her hand slipped.

It hit the ground with a sharp, shattering crash.

A strong hand grabbed her arm and a familiar scent hit her nose—sickly sweet aftershave, laced with the dull, heavy trace of weed. Her stomach twisted. He was there, even before she saw him.

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