Page 48 of The Bittersweet Bond

So he did the only thing he knew how to do.

He had to destroy it.

Pushed her away before she could pull him under.

He stubbed out the cigarette against the table, jaw clenched so tightly it ached. The muffled voices from outside bled into the room, but he barely heard them. He was too busy convincing himself he was doing the right thing. That he was protecting her. That this was for the best.

The door creaked open behind him, and he already knew who it was before she spoke.

“Hey, Sebastian.”

Cat.

Of course.

She sauntered in like she owned the room, her lips curling into a smirk as she leaned against the table beside him. “Didn’t think you’d disappear so fast,” she teased, tracing a finger along the felt. “Tired of playing already?”

Bas exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. “Something like that.”

She hummed, tilting her head. “You looked like you were having fun out there.”

Too much fun.

Bas didn’t answer.

Cat took a step closer. He felt the way her fingers skimmed the fabric of his shirt, the way she pressed against him, soft and warm. But she was not her.

“Let me guess,” Cat murmured. “Evin got under your skin again?”

He let out a dry laugh, shaking his head. “Doesn’t matter.”

Cat smiled, slow and knowing.

And before he could think—before he could stop himself—she kissed him.

Hot. Messy. Desperate.

And he let her.

Because if he was already ruining things, he might as well burn the whole damn thing to the ground.

__________

Evin

The sun had long set, and the colorful lanterns bathed the garden in warm, gentle light. The music in the background muffled the chatter of the group gathered around the table. Evin sat by the cooler, a half-full glass in her hand, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. Next to her stood Jonas, freshly dried off from his jump in the pool. As he took a seat, Evin silently handed him his favorite beer, prompting a grateful smile.

“You remembered,” he murmured, taking a big sip.

For a moment, Evin felt the familiar warmth Jonas always carried with him. His laughter was genuine, and his company carried a soothing, almost familial comfort she deeply appreciated in her chaotic world. Jonas was one of the few people who never let her down.

As they sat silently next to each other, a soft breeze swept through the garden. A few strands of Evin’s hair fell across her face, and without thinking, Jonas gently tucked them behind her ear. Startled, she watched him as he casually continued chatting with the others, making the gesture seem so natural. It was such a small act, yet in that moment, it hit her unexpectedly.

Her gaze drifted across the table, laden with drinks and snacks. The conversations grew louder, and laughter filled the air. Yet, Evin felt a pair of eyes on her. She knew exactly whose they were. She glanced over and caught his gaze again. When their eyes met, he gave her a casual nod. She nodded back slower, more provocatively. Of course, she wasn’t ungrateful for the situation, but deep down, she had hoped the evening would turn out differently. Perhaps she had secretly expected that they might finally reconnect, share unburdened laughter, and talk like they used to. Instead, after their beer pong game, he had spent the rest of the evening giving Cat his attention. Typical, Evin thought bitterly as she forced herself to sip her drink.

“Hey, you’re daydreaming again,” Jonas teased, snapping her out of her thoughts. She forced a smile. “I’m fine,” she muttered, trying to organize her swirling thoughts while the laughter and loud chatter around her pulled her back to the present.

Why did Bas have to make everything so complicated? Old memories resurfaced, and she realized once more how much she missed him and his attention. His presence overwhelmed her, making her feel as though she couldn’t breathe at times. Bas was playing his games again. First, he’d been all over Cat. Now, just hours later, he looked bored. Inwardly, Evin rolled her eyes.

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