le

oom. My heart was pounding and my thoughts were racing. Charming, unyielding, and f

Lucas always seemed to light a fire inside of me, and the fresh, cris

reathing while leaning against the decorati

le

ng a few steps away, his hands in his

ve up, do yo

replied quietly as

ucas, what are you after? To make me remember how you left m

his jaw tensed. "Elena, I messed up. I'm aware

t me to forgive you," I murmured, becoming

e responded, "Maybe not

riers I had erected around my heart start to come down fo

e no time for this,

ld

his tone. When I turned around again

?" With cauti

r." Only me and you. Nothing to do, no d

velope, my emotions

eal will resolve all is

. However, it

rab the envelope despite my mind

palm and muttered, "Okay." "One me

l those years ago appeared briefly a

as he turned and walked back into the bal

uc

ffer, was sufficient to restore th

reets of Manhattan that evening. The sharpness of her words and the fire in her

o her that I had

sure everything was flawless. The aroma of fresh roses, the warm glow of string lig

lack outfit that accentuated her contours. Her c

curtly, "Lucas

ing to maintain a s

er pouring wine, and we coul

l out," with a neutral

, "I wanted it

then sipped her wine. Talk, t

gret for everything. Because I didn't fight harder to retain you, bec

enetrable, and s

said. "But I want you to know that I'm sorry for all

e averted her gaze and traced the e

" Actions, however, speak louder.

relaxation of my life, I'll

ftly, bitterly.

lena makes an unexpected statement that leaves Lucas