Just like he could feelherwatching him even when not once did he spare her a glance.
Mirabella started walking toward him even though it wasn’t part of the script. She met him halfway, her rose-colored lips curving in a smile—
“Mi amor.”
A sickening sense of déjà vu gripped his chest as she reached for his face. But it was as if his whole world had become a blur. All he knew was that this had happened before. But his entire mind was lost in darkness, and he just couldn’t remember—
Mirabella was reaching up for his face.
When did this last happen?
And it was only when her lips touched his—
That the darkness, having already done its job, reveled in giving way to light.
Because now that everything was clear, darkness had much reason to rejoice, with Arkane finally remembering when it was too late—
No fuck no
He hadn’t meant things to get this far.
I just wanted to hurt her a little.
Shame her a little.
Make her cry a little.
But when he turned around—
No no no no no no no no no
Mirabella cried out in protest when he walked away, her hand still half-raised toward where his face had been.
He didn’t give a damn.
Because this time, all he had eyes for—
Tiara.
She remained where she was standing at the head of the aisle. Beautiful. Smiling. Crying. And it hurt so, so, damn much because the moment he came close—
No no no no no no no no no
This close, he could see the truth in her eyes.
“You knew,” he said hoarsely. “You knew—”
“That you might want to make me pay?”
Why was she talking to him like he hadn’t done anything wrong?
And why, dammit?
Why was she still here?
“You should’ve just fucking left—”
“I wanted to.” And this time, her smile had started to wobble. “But I couldn’t.” Because her lip had started to tremble. “Not until I get to tell you—”