Chapter 172

Lucian’s words left me stunned, rooted to the spot. I didn’t need anyone to confirm his sincerity-1 could feel it in every resigned word, see it in his hollowed eyes. He was serious about letting me go, even going as far as urging me to return to Yeith.

For Lucian, someone who had always been possessive and fiercely jealous, to say that aloud… it told me just how heavily all of this weighed on him. He looked worse than he had the day they came to bring me back from the West, a shadow of himself. And yet, even knowing this, anger and confusion tansted inside me.

How was I supposed to stay angry at him, knowing the toll it had taken on him? How could I hate him when i could see that he was already punishing himself? And the worst part-the truth that I couldn’t admit to myself, let alone to him-was that I didn’t truly love Keith. What I felt for him was gratitude. a deep bond of friendship, a kindness that came when I needed it most. Returning to him, knowing that Lucian, Clay, and Maxwell still held my heart in their grip, would be dishonest. Keith deserved more than to be second in someone’s heart.

But no matter how I searched for forgiveness, I couldn’t move past the betrayal. I wasn’t sure if I ever would.

“So… are we really going to leave?” Midnight’s voice echoed in my mind, soft but aware of the heartache not only within me but also within Lucian Maxwell, and Clay. She could feel it all, as I could, though I tried to shut her out.

“Why must I be the one to cross this bridge, Midnight? Why must I be the one to forgive and let it all go?” I choked out, feeling tears sliding down my cheeks. “Why didn’t they do the same for me? Why didn’t they come through when I needed them most?”

Midnight’s response came gently, a quiet truth that stung more than comforted.