Page 82 of The Bittersweet Bond

Bas sat in the shadow of his Bronco, his gaze locked on the ballet school. The building stood motionless against the dimming light of day, its vast windows gently mirroring the world outside. From his vantage point, he could glimpse movement within—shadows stirring, graceful figures sweeping across the wooden floors. He didn’t have to look twice to find her.

She moved with effortless precision—every motion controlled yet fluid. Despite having no right to feel this way, he couldn’t help but swell with quiet pride as he watched her. But beneath that admiration lurked something else—something sharp-edged and restless, something he wasn’t ready to name.

He let out a slow, measured breath.

He knew he shouldn’t be here.

Yet here he was.

Ben’s voice still pressed against his mind, a dull ache that refused to fade.

“It’s about Evin,”Ben had said, stepping in front of him before he could walk away.

Bas had tensed instantly—a reflex whenever Ben approached.“And you think I need to hear this?”he’d replied coolly, his tone dismissive, guarded.

Ben hadn’t flinched.“I think she’s in trouble, Bas. Her new boyfriend—Sergej—he’s pressuring her. She’s pretending everything’s fine, but it’snot.”

A heavy silence had settled between them. Bas’s heartbeat had picked up against his will. He had seen Evin with Sergej—laughing, moving like nothing was wrong. She had looked fine. Hadn’t she?

Forcing a faint smirk, he had shaken his head.“Why are you telling me this? Why not someone else?”

Ben had stepped closer, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.“Cut the crap. I’ve got a bad feeling about this guy.”

Even as Bas had turned away, Ben’s words had stuck in his mind like a splinter.

“Because you wouldn’t be able to handle it if something happened to her,” Ben had pressed. “That’s why I’m here.”

The words had hit harder than Bas had expected. He had stayed silent, his fists clenching at his sides. Frustration churned in his chest.

“She doesn’t want me in her life anymore, bro,”he had finally admitted, the words tasting bitter on his tongue.“So what am I supposed to do? Chase after her?”

Ben had studied him for a long moment before replying,“And you’re just letting go of her because of that?”

Bas’s jaw had tightened as irritation flickered beneath his skin. He had been about to end the conversation when Ben had smirked slightly.

“Well, if that’s the case, I guess I can finally make my move.”

Something inside Bas had snapped. His breath had left him in a sharp exhale, his muscles tensing in silent fury.

“Alright, I get it,”he had muttered, voice edged with frustration.“Lately, everyone thinks they have a say in my life.”

Ben had just shrugged.“Just because you think you don’t need anyone doesn’t mean you don’t.”

That conversation had looped in Bas’s mind ever since. He hadn’t planned on coming here. He had told himself to leave it alone.

And yet, here he was.

His hands had gripped the steering wheel, taking him straight to her before he could even think twice.

Now, sitting beneath the growing gloom, watching the ballet studio, he facedan undeniable truth.

Ben was right.

He couldn’t bear it if something happened to her.

He ran a hand through his hair, fingers gripping at the strands before letting out a sharp breath. “You screwed it up, man,” he muttered under his breath.

But it wasn’t just about that. It wasn’t just about what he had lost with Evin.

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