Chapter 17
“Lina, getting a tattoo really hurts”
His voice was shaky, barely above a whisper, and with his trembling hands and eyes rimmed red, he looked so heartbreakingly fragile.
“I’ve always loved you. I know you blame me for not protecting you, for not standing by you when it mattered. But look, I even got the tattoo again, just like befor_“}
But Lina didn’t budge.
“Does it hurt?” Her eyes flicked down to the tattoo, and for a moment she almost sounded concerned. It made hope flare in his chest–but she crushed it with her next words
“And what’s that got to do with me? Bruno, I never asked you to get a tattoo. I don’t need you proving your so–called love to me.“%
The coolness in her gaze felt like a knife twisting in his heart. In that moment, Bruno realized there was a canyon between them now, wide and impossible to cross.”
He stepped forward without thinking, desperate to bridge the gap. But someone else wasn’t going to let him.
“Sir, I think that’s enough.
A new voice, calm and edged with warning. A hand–long fingers, steady grip–caught Bruno’s wrist before he could reach Lina. Bruno’s head snapped up in surprise. The man who’d appeared wore a plain white shirt, but he somehow made it look elegant and untouchable, like sunlight on a cold winter moming or distant stars on an autumn night. His features were striking, but his eyes–icy and emotionless sent a chill straight through Bruno.
“Rylan? When did you get back? Why didn’t you tell me?” Lina’s voice lifted in surprise and something like relief.
“I just got back. I wanted to see you, so I came straight here.” At her words, Rylan let go of Bruno’s hand, and the coldness in his expression melted as he turned to Lina. A small smile tugged at his lips, but he still kept himself between her and Bruno, gently guiding her a few steps back.!!
He glanced at Bruno. “And who I am–does that matter to you?”
Bruno’s shock twisted into anger and jealousy. He stared at Lina, searching her face for answers. “Who is he?”
Neither Lina nor Rylan responded. They didn’t even look in his direction as they walked off toward the office together.
“Lina, wait!” Panic clawed at Bruno. He darted forward and grabbed her wrist, his voice cracking. “You brought him here just to hurt me, didn’t you? I know I messed up before–hit me, yell at me, whatever–but don’t play games like this…”
Lina stopped, feeling the warmth of his hand on her skin. She glanced down, irritation flickering in her eyes, then yanked her arm free and stepped back, putting real distance between them. Her voice lost its calm, emotion finally breaking through.
“What do you even want from me? Why would I joke about something like this? Bruno, not everyone treats love like some stupid game.” The rejection and anger in her eyes hurt more than anything. Bruno could barely breathe, but losing her scared him even more.
He took another step closer, desperation written all over his face. “Lina, i know you still love me. You you can’t just=”
“Love?” she cut in, her laugh cold and sharp. The look she gave him sent a shiver down his spine. He hesitated, and she continued, “Bruno, you’re the last person who should be talking about love.”
Bruno never thought he’d see Lina like this. She was nothing like the bright, outgoing girl he first met, or the quiet, withdrawn woman she became with the Morris family. Right now, all he could see in her eyes was anger.
He tried to say something, but the words caught in his throat.
His silence eamed him nothing but a cold scoff from Lina.!!
“What are yo
really going to say I was the one who was heartless? That I left you without a reason?*%
