Chapter 7*
“Will you?”
“I swear I’d never do that. Do you believe me?”
Lucian lowered his gaze, his sharp nose lightly brushing against my cheek. “I want to believe you.”
“Lucian, I have feelings too, and a bit of pride.”
“Do you still miss him?”
I pondered for a moment. “If I said I didn’t miss him at all, it wouldn’t be true. After all, it’s been years.“}
Lucian suddenly nipped at me gently. “Stop it, Bella.”
“Let me finish. But to say it’s regret or lingering attachment, that’s not it either.“}
I gently touched Lucian’s face. “Breaking up with him wasn’t all that painful for me, so maybe I stopped loving him a while ago.”
“Perhaps when he started being absent–minded about us, I was already preparing for the end.““>
“I wouldn’t do that.”
“Hmm?”
I wouldn’t be distant or indecisive. I wouldn’t make you cry or hurt you.”
Lucian held me tighter, and then he kissed me. “Bella, be with me.“}]
But I didn’t reciprocate his kiss. In the end, I gently pushed him away.
“Lucian, I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing?”
He looked down at me, his eyes slightly reddened.§
“It’s my issue.” I avoided his gaze. “I just don’t want to get involved in a relationship right now.“>
“Then what were these past days between us?“}
Lucian gripped my shoulders, his voice trembling. “Isabella, what do you take me for?”
I clenched my hands, taking a deep breath. “Let’s just say we were fulfilling a need.”>
“If you’re okay with it, we can keep things as they are. If you find someone you like, you can end it anytime.“>
“What sort of relationship is that? Just a convenience?“}
“You could see it that way!” I refused to look up, afraid tears would spill from my eyes.
“Lucian, I’m really sorry. If being like this makes you uncomfortable, I’ll leave Lindor right away, and I swear I’ll never bother you again.“) “Isabella.” Lucian’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. He released me and stepped back.”
back.
He seemed to smile, but it was a broken one. “Isabella, you can’t treat me like this.”
“Lucian.”
He turned around, grabbing his coat and heading for the door.
I instinctively took a step after him, but then I stopped.
Lucian walked to the door, and as his hand grasped the knob, he turned back to look at me.”
He even gave me a reassuring smile. “Sorry, I just need some time alone.”
I nodded. “Sure, I won’t disturb you.”
“Isabella, just give me some time, and I’ll get back to you.”
Lucían left, and I felt drained, sinking slowly onto the couch.
There was an inexplicable pain in my heart.”
But I knew even more clearly that I wasn’t ready.}
To throw myself into loving someone wholeheartedly again.
To start something new.
was truly afraid, afraid that it would end in mutual disdain once more.
Afraid of watching someone’s gaze change from warmth to cold indifference.
I didn’t want to repeat my mistakes.
I shouldn’t have dragged Lucian into this.
If I’d known from the start that he liked me, I wouldn’t have let him drive me back to the hotel that night.
It was already three in the morning when Lucian drove back to the hotel where Isabella was staying.”
He got out of the car but didn’t go inside. Instead, he leaned against the car and lit a cigarette.”
Countless windows were lit, but he couldn’t figure out which one was Isabella’s.”
