Page 53 of The Bittersweet Bond

Fine, she thought bitterly. She didn’t want anyone to see her like this… not when she barely recognized herself.

Get a grip, Evin!

Not while confusion and pain were tearing at her from within.

Whatever had just happened, it had felt real.

And now, in a single moment, it was gone. Evin shook her head, trying to banish the thoughts that gnawed at her, trying to piece together the chaos in her mind. But deep down, she knew—this night would haunt her.

__________

Sebastian

Bas shut the door behind him and exhaled sharply, his fingers gripping the door handle as if it was the only thing keeping him upright. His pulse pounded in his ears, drowning out everything else. His skin was still burning from where she had touched him, where her lips had traced his, where her body had molded so perfectly against his.

He had to leave.

If he had stayed just a second longer, he wouldn’t have stopped. Wouldn’t have held back. And fuck, he wanted her—more than he wanted his next breath.

But that was exactly why he had to go.

Because it wasn’t just about wanting her.

It was about control.

And he was about to lose it.

Bas ran a hand over his face, his breath still uneven, his body still aching from the way she had looked at him. Like she needed him. Like she still wanted him, despite everything.

And maybe that was the worst part.

She wasn’t supposed to look at him like that. Not after what she had done.

Not after she kissed Ben.

Heclenched his jaw.

It wasn’t even the kiss that mattered anymore.

He needed that excuse to keep her at a distance.

Because if he didn’t—

If he let her get too close—

She might see too much. And maybe, worse, so would everyone else.

Especially this time, he wouldn’t know how to get back up.

He straightened, rolling his shoulders back, forcing himself to breathe. He needed a distraction. Something. Anything.

Just as that thought crossed his mind, the door creaked open behind him.

"There you are," Cat purred behind him.

Fucking perfect.

He turned towards her.

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