blouse light and loose, the color neutral, designed to give off an air of calm composure. But inside, she was anything but composed. Her he

out words, but about reclaiming the control she had lost in that cold, heartless marriage. She was no longer the naive, loving woman wh

to find him standing by the doorway, his eyes full of concern. His presence had become a co

n. "I need to hear him out, Lucien. I can't just live in this state of uncertainty. I

softening. "Just remember, you owe him nothing. And when this is over, no matter what h

still a part of her, a vulnerable part, that wanted answers, that wanted to understand how the m

The chairs were too comfortable, the atmosphere too calm, and yet it felt wrong.

epare herself for the confrontation that was about to unfold. The sound of her heels clicking against the marble floor was like a countdown to somethin

ickly, as if he had expected her to walk in and slap him across the face. But she didn't. She was beyond the point of anger now. This was not about strik

s a low murmur, full of

k free. She didn't sit down immediately. Instead, she stood across from him, her posture rigid, her face a mask

Alayna almost thought he might tell her something honest. But she quickly disc

g. "I never wanted to hurt you, Alayna. You have to understand th

t what you're going with? After everything, that's the excuse you're going to use? You think that just

f guard. "I-no, that's not it. It's just... things were complicate

w what to do? You didn't know that breaking my heart was

looked genuinely remorseful. But it wasn't enough. It w

ading. "I thought I could make everything right. I thought I could fi

ds slipping out before she could stop them. "Yo

love her," he said after a moment, his words barely above a whisper. "Not in the way I loved you. B

ery ounce of love, every ounce of sacrifice-had been for nothing. Rafael hadn't ju

aid, her voice low, almost hollo

more than enough, Alayna. But I let my family's expectations dictate my choices, and

terested in apologies anymore. She didn't want to hear him justify hi

ignored. "I don't need your apologies. I don't need your explanations. I've spent too long trying to make things

derstand what she was saying, but the realization sl

but the words d

tear her apart, to leave her feeling lost and uncertain. But instead, she felt something else-relief. It wasn't a clea

he said without turni