na's

ed my ar

d I noticed the emotional attraction between Lachlan and me. It's getting uncontrollab

, I stood in front of the window of my room in Lachlan Mansion. The city out

long on me. Like maybe if I shed enough layers, the guilt w

ips, my hair, and my eyes were red from hol

sn't the

slate Isla promised me. For the peace I

fall

e through my spiral thought. I straightene

me anxiously. "It seems something is bothering your mind, Fiona?" She made a

dgment in her eyes-just that annoying w

Looked emotionally exhausted as I sat on the edge of my seat trying to tug at the hem of

s arched

I sai

smile. "About time." My laugh c

ourself for years, Fi. For what? Being human? For wanti

st friend in a long time." Those words stung. I looked away. "She pulled strings to get you th

helpe

ed you

le

eally. Even if you did, perhaps it's time for you to treat yourself wel

. "You gonna wea

anging on the door. I hadn't decided. Maybe I had. "You des

t to play th

ike the supporting r

at, she

ed my eyes, I saw Lachlan's face. The way he looked at me when h

t wasn't just red. It was bold. Defiant. The kind of dr

h dry. And there he was. Lachlan Hartman. Power in a suit. Control in a

ees gave out. "Thanks." He pulled out my chair like we were somethin

her w

ntion this. I've made an effort to ignore this-us-but I'm at my breaking point. You'r

to

use you are the one I love, Fiona. Even before I

ouched mine as he reached across the table. But it

"I'm asking for honesty. Even if it's i

w and I do, but what if this thing.... This feeling about us...

urtin

o me." He nodded. "Then let me carry some of

ng myself together by a thread

ait. As long

choice I had fully made. Every step felt like I'm falling deeper into this t

the firs

re I wanted