Chapter 431
Chapter 431
Third Person’s POV
Finished
The sound of footsteps echoed on the stairs. Cassian spun around instantly, using his back to hide the bloody, broken mess he’d become.
Humphrey lowered his voice, “Alpha Cassian, it’s time for your medication p>
Cassian stared at the wall for a long time before answering in a jagged rasp. “File a flight plan. We head back tomorrow morning p>
Humphrey blinked, not daring to ask questions. He gave a quick nod and hurried back downstairs.
That night felt like a descent into an endless tunnel.
The next morning, when Trista came downstairs at dawn, Cassian was standing at the counter preparing breakfast.
She stopped at the base of the stairs, watching his silhouette. She didn’t say a word; she just turned to go back up.
Cassian intercepted her with a few long strides.
They stood locked in a gaze under the weak morning light.
Trista’s brow furrowed instinctively.
In just one night, Cassian looked like he had physically aged years.
His eyes were a roadmap of broken red vessels, and his face had a sickly, grey pallor. He looked utterly wasted.
“Humphrey made breakfast,” he said, his voice sounding thin and pathetically tired. “You can eat it. I didn’t touch it p>
Trista felt a heavy, suffocating tightness in her chest. She didn’t respond, trying to push past him to get back to her room.
Cassian caught her arm–his grip was heavy, but remarkably controlled. “Eat,” he said. “After that, I’m taking you home p>
Trista whipped her head around, scanning him with pure suspicion. “Are you serious p>
They stood on the stairs, eye–to–eye.
Cassian took a tiny, tentative step forward, as if he were approaching a piece of shattered glass.
He carefully took her hands in his and looked her straight in the eye.
“I told you, I’m done lying to you,” he whispered, struggling to steady his breathing. “I know how pathetic I look right now. I know you hate me for stalking you like this. But I’m not playing games, I really am sorry p>
1:54 pm & M
Chapter 431
Finished
He paused, a flicker of raw desperation crossing his face. “I just wanted to bring you back. Maybe I pushed too hard because I didn’t know how else to fix us, but I really wanted this to work p>
Trista’s eyes flashed with impatience. “Cassian, I don’t care how pretty you wrap it up–I’m not buying it. If you actually feel guilty, then do me a favor and vanish from my life p>
The silence between them was deafening.
Trista’s coldness was a blade, and Cassian felt every inch of the cut. But he forced himself to stay there. He didn’t flinch.
With bloodshot eyes, he spoke one word at a time. “If that’s what you want, I’ll respect it. I’m giving you your freedom p>
Trista stared at him, still waiting for the catch.
‘I want you to swear it,” she said, her voice like ice. “Swear that you’ll never interfere with me or my family again. Swear you won’t hurt anyone I care about, and that you’ll never come near me for the rest of your life p>
The air in the room turned to lead.
It wasn’t until Cassian’s vision started to blur that he finally closed his eyes and nodded with everything he
had left.
Two tears tracked down his face.
He held one of her hands and slowly raised his other, his voice shaking violently.
I swear on my life… that I will never interfere with you or your family again. I will never harm anyone close to you p>
He stopped for a second, his eyes searching hers, hoping she’d tell him that was enough. But she just stared back and spat out two words, “Keep going p>
It felt like a physical stabbing to the heart. Cassian swayed, nearly losing his footing, before forcing himself to meet her cold gaze again.
I swear… I will never voluntarily approach you again,” he said, every word sounding like he was swallowing fire. “If I break this vow, may I never see a peaceful end p>
Silence returned to the living room.
They stood there in a long, agonizing deadlock until Trista finally looked away. She walked to the dining table and sat down.
Cassian gripped the banister until his knuckles went white.
He stood there with his back hunched, greedily watching her profile as she ate. His chest felt like it was packed with broken glass; every breath was a jagged, suffocating pain.
He knew that from this moment on, even if he spent the rest of his life protecting her from the shadows,
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Chapter 431
he’d never get another look of kindness from her.
He eventually moved to the table and sat across from her.
Trista ignored him, focusing entirely on her meal.
Cassian picked up a spoon and took a sip of the porridge like it was a ritual.
It tasted bitter–a punishment for his greed.
His fingers wouldn’t stop trembling.
0:0
Finished
‘I’m going up to pack. Do whatever you want.” Trista said, setting her bowl down and heading upstairs.
Cassian stood up immediately to follow.
Ten minutes later, they walked out of the villa side–by–side. The silence between them felt like a funeral procession.
As the helicopter rotors began to roar, the tension in Trista’s shoulders finally snapped. It was the first time n weeks she looked relaxed.
She knew Cassian. He was all about the bottom line. He wouldn’t waste any more of his valuable business ime on a lost cause like this.
ust as they reached the chopper, Cassian stopped.
Trista… can we just look at the beach one last time? Together p>
Trista’s face went sub–zero instantly. “Don’t forget your oath p>
The red in Cassian’s eyes flared up again. He fought the tremors racking his body, his voice sounding like
t had been dragged through gravel.
Once we leave,” he said, looking out at the water with a pathetic, pleading tone, “there might not be a next ime. Ever p>
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Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.