Page 87 of The Bittersweet Bond

Evin shook her head, her patience completely gone. I only have a connection with one person... “I don’t care what you mean. I’m done with this,” she snapped.

Yet Sergej still didn’t seem to take her seriously. When she took a step back, he suddenly grabbed her arm. A sharp pain shot through her body, straight to her mind. “Wait, you can’t just leave like this,” he said, almost pleading.

That was it.

The moment Evin had had enough.

She yanked her arm free, her eyes blazing with fury.

“Don’t touch me! Ever again!” Her voice shook—not with fear, but with determination. She stepped back again, her stance firm and unyielding. “And thanks—I’ll find my way home on my own.”

Without another glance, she turned and walked away, her steps firm and resolute as the darkness of the night swallowed her whole.

__________

Evin rubbed her temples as the noise of the cafeteria hammered against her head like a dull ache. The math exam formulas were still swirling in her mind, but they were the last thing she wanted to think about. Across from her, Milka was scrolling through her phone.

“Sergej is still texting me,” Evin muttered, tossing her phone onto the table face-down to block out the flood of incoming messages.

Milka’s smile widened as she glanced up, her eyes locking onto the screen. “Looks like someone’s got it bad for you.”

Evin scoffed, rolling her eyes. “I just want him to stop.” The familiar pressure was building up inside her again.

Milka leaned back, crossing her arms with an amused smirk. “Well, clearly he hasn’t gotten the memo yet!”

Evin shook her head. “That’s the problem. I’m just done with all this drama. It’s messing with my head, and I can’t focus on anything.”

Sheglanced over at her phone as it buzzed again.

Sergej

I overreacted.

I’m sorry.

It won’t happen again, love.

Milka’s smile faded instantly as she glanced up, her eyes locking onto someone behind Evin.

"Oh, boy, here we go again."

Without a word, Bas dropped into the seat beside her. His movements were cool and effortless, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

Evin felt the air around her grow heavier, even though he hadn’t said a word. A quick glance at Milka, who was now glued to her phone, told her she’d have to handle this on her own.

“So, how’d your exam go?” he finally asked.

Evin straightened up, her fingers toying with the edge of the table. “Bas.” She forced herself not to look at him.

“Now that you’re always studying with Ben, you two should just go ahead and win a prize for cutest couple,” he said with a bitter laugh.

Evin turned to him, her expression skeptical. She could feel her heart pounding against her ribs. Bas had an infuriating talent for pushing all the right buttons with just a few words. She hated it—and yet, she couldn’t help being drawn to him.

“Is that all you have to talk about?” she shot back coolly, though her legs bounced beneath the table.

“Not really.”

“Oh? Then what?” Her voice was sharp, but that familiar burn was already creeping up her throat. His calm demeanor collided with her growing frustration.

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