Page 85 of The Bittersweet Bond

No drama, no escalation. Just clarity.

After a few days of keeping to herself, Evin decided to meet Sergej. This time, she would have the conversation that had been a long time coming.

No unspoken expectations, no games. She’d be honest and tell him how she felt—that she didn’t want to continue.

She shot Sergej a quick message: "Let’s talk Friday evening."

She hit send and felt a wave of relief wash over her. It was time to leave this chapter behind.

_________

Wednesday morning began like any other. Evin sat in class, her mind swimming with formulas and notes. She hadn’t slept much, the looming exams weighing heavily on her, but strangely, she felt calm—almost at ease. Over the past few days, she had thrown herself into school and her friends, and Sergej had faded further into the background.

“Evin? You okay?” Milka nudged her gently with her elbow, her expression curious.

Evin blinked, forcing a small smile. “Yeah, just thinking.”

She wasn’t lying. She had been thinking—about how easy it was, once she stopped answering him, once she shifted her focus elsewhere. The realization settled in her bones like something solid, something she could trust.

After school, it was straight to ballet. The studio was brightly lit, the warm wooden floor beneath her feet instantly grounding her. Here, she could let go. As she stretched at the barre, she felt the familiar pull in her muscles, the satisfying tension that she loved so much.

Nele glanced at her as they warmed up side by side. "You look more focused than usual," she remarked, stretching her leg over the barre.

Evin shrugged. "I have to be. The performance is coming up."

And it was true. She had other things to focus on—things that mattered.

The rehearsals went smoothly, better than expected.

By the time Evin left the dance studio, she felt tired, but in a good way. The stress of the past few days seemed to have melted away. As she walked across the parking lot, the cool evening air brushed against her skin. Everything felt so orderly, so clear.

But despite this newfound clarity, there was still her thing with Sergej left unfinished.

The thought of the upcoming meeting hovered over her like a cloud. She needed to get it over with, to close that chapter and refocus on what truly mattered—school, ballet, and her friends.

Thursday passed without incident. Another day at school, another rehearsal. But as Friday loomed closer, a faint sense of unease crept in. Not because of Sergej himself—she was certain of her decision—but because of what the meeting symbolized. It was a choice, a definitive end that would free her from him once and for all.

That evening, as she sat at her desk reviewing notes, her phone lit up again

Sergej

Don’t flake on me, Evin.

I’m serious.

She exhaled sharply. Sergej wasn’t even trying to hide it anymore.

She had already made up her mind, but something about his words left an unsettled feeling in her stomach.

On Friday evening, she finally slipped on her jacket, took a deep breath, and headed out the door.

She knew she was doing the right thing. So why did it still feel like she was walking into something she wasn’t ready for?

Chapter 25

Burning Thoughts At Night

Evin

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