Chapter 16
The words Bruno had carefully prepared vanished from his mind, leaving him speechless. Something uncertain flickered in his eyes. Lina really had changed. She’d grown, moved on, become someone new. Meanwhile, he was the only one who seemed stuck in the past. “Mr. Morris, what do you think?“2
His associates had finished their discussion and now looked to him, seated at the head of the table, waiting for his decision. Their voices were cautious, almost hesitant. “Mr. Moris?”
Lina glanced over without thinking. Their eyes met for just a second before she quickly looked away, shutting him out as if he were nothing but a stranger. After a moment’s silence, Bruno swallowed hard. He couldn’t bring himself to make things more difficult for her–not now
It wasn’t until she watched Bruno sign his name on the contract that Lina finally exhaled, relief washing over her,
She and Cindy walked the last client out of Wild Game. As she was about to turn back toward the office, a familiar voice called out from behind, low and warm, tinged with something softer.?
“Lina, wait
She stopped in her tracks. The others immediately sensed the shift, mumbled quick goodbyes, and slipped away into the building. In no time, the lobby was empty–just the two of them left in the echoing quiet.
dina felt caught between going and staying.
The silence between them grew heavy. Finally, Bruno spoke, his voice rough, almost unsteady. “Lina, how have you been all these years?” Such a simple question, but it seemed to drain all the energy from him. He stood there, uncertain, wanting to close the distance but too afraid to try. Just as he’d never been able to ask, “Did you miss me? Because I missed you.”
Lina had done well for herself. Thanks to the Morris family’s support, she’d studied abroad, built a good life, and even now still had a comfortable nest egg. But none of that was something she wanted to share with him.
She turned to face him, her voice cool and detached. “Is there something else, Mr. Morris?”
Hearing “Mr. Morris” from her lips hit him hard, like a punch to the chest. He felt a sharp ache, his eyes suddenly burning.
“Lina, do we really have to be like this–T
Before he could finish, Lina cut him off. When she looked at him, there was no trace of the love they’d once shared.
“Mr. Momis, there is no us. Her words were soft but final, drawing a clear line between them. She managed a polite smile, but it made him feel cold all over.
So cold he couldn’t stop shaking.
“Mr. Morris, there hasn’t been an ‘us‘ for five years. It’s just you and me, separately.” Her voice was almost gentle.
Bruno couldn’t believe that after all this time, their reunion could end like this. Eyes red, hands trembling, he stepped closer, reaching out as if to pull her into his arms.
“No, Lina. I love you. I’ve only ever loved you“!
But his hand closed around nothing but air. He let it drop, then undid the buttons at his collar with shaking fingers. In one motion, he pulled his shirt aside, exposing his collarbone–and the dark blue letters inked into his skin..
Seeing those letters, Lina froze.
It was like being thrown back in time, to a moment when Bruno had once stood before her just like this, shirt tugged down, baring those three letters.E
T.Z.H
Lina
Back then, she’d reached out and touched the mark, her fingers gentle, her eyes full of worry. “Does it hurt?” she’d whispered.
He’d shaken his head, his gaze young and burning with love.
“No it doesn’t hurt.”
But she’d seen his body tremble. She knew the truth–it did hurt!!
Now, the scene was playing out all over again. The same letters, in the same place, as if nothing had changed
Except she remembered, clear as day
The first time she saw the announcement about the engagement between the Hudsons and the Moses, Bruno had let his shin slip.
the tattoo that once meant everything–the symbol of his love–was gone. Disappeared. Erased, just like the love he once swore would never lade
