Page 88 of The Bittersweet Bond

Bas leaned back, his movements deceptively casual. “I was looking for you,” he said quietly. It sounded like that explained everything.

Herheart raced as she tried to keep her composure.

“Interesting.” Her eyes stayed glued to him, hating the way his gaze seemed to cut right through her, as if he could see what she was thinking.

“I think there are a few things we haven’t cleared up yet.” His voice was too controlled, like he had rehearsed it. His words were calm—almost too calm—as if he was determined not to show any weakness. But Evin caught how his eyes flickered briefly across her face.

“Oh, really?” she asked, forcing her voice to sound casual. “And what exactly?”

Her throat felt dry, her nerves frayed.

He didn’t take his eyes off her. “That thing with your new guy.” Bas tilted his head toward Evin’s phone with a slight nod. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”

Evin’s heart sped up. She hated how he always managed to hit his mark, how he got under her skin without really saying much.

“What does it matter to you? You don’t even know what you want yourself.”

He sat there so damn confidently—with his athletic, muscular build and those stormy eyes that swept over her like a cold gust of wind. His dark blond hair fell casually into his face, and even though he didn’t seem to put much effort into his appearance, everything about him radiated a certain effortless perfection.

Leaning back, he frowned slightly and raked a hand through his hair. “Come on, Evin. What do you expect? That guy’s gonna treat you like a queen?” A smirk spread across his face. “Please. You know it’s never gonna be serious. He’s just using you—it’s obvious.”

Her eyes narrowed. “And you know what’s best for me?”

Bas shrugged, as if everything he said was just common sense. “Apparently better than you do.”

She let out a bitter laugh and suddenly stood up.

Evin’s breath hitched as Bas’s words sliced through the air. For a moment, everything seemed to freeze. She couldn’t believe he’d actually said it.

Herchest rose and fell rapidly, her fingers gripping the edge of the table, but she forced herself to stay calm. She shot him a look of disbelief, her wide eyes betraying the weight of his statement.

“Seriously, Bas?”

Her voice was quiet but sharp, as if she didn’t trust herself to speak louder, afraid she might explode.

Without another word, she grabbed her bag and stood. “You always find a way to surprise me!”

He gave her a questioning look, as if he didn’t understand what she meant. When he opened his mouth to say something, she turned away, grabbing her phone and glancing at Sergej’s message.

Anger flared in her chest, propelling her toward Sergej—though she didn’t quite know why.

She could feel Bas’ gaze burning into her back as she moved away, but the adrenaline pounding through her veins kept her moving. She knew the conversation shouldn’t have ended like that, but she couldn’t take it anymore.

A quick glance at her phone showed Sergej’s message:

Sergej

I’ll pick you up whenever you’re ready.

Don’t keep me waiting.

And maybe, just maybe, that was exactly what she needed right now.

_________

Sebastian

He shoved his way through the crowd, his movements quick and deliberate, until he was close enough for her to hear him.

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