Who the fuck was this person?
Why were they so close to her?
My mind raced with all the worst possibilities, each one fueling my anger.
I approached them, my jaw set and my heart thundering. When I was close enough, I cleared my throat. The sound was louder than I intended, cutting through the surrounding chatter like a knife. They broke apart, and she turned to face me, her eyes widening in shock.
I stood there, frozen in place. The world around us seemed to blur and fade away for a moment. All I could see was her, the surprise etched on her beautiful face. I didn’t know what to say, my mind a chaotic whirl of emotions.
“Excuse us,” I said to the man standing beside her, my tonesharp and my eyes narrowing in barely concealed anger.
He looked back at her, then at me, confusion flickering across his face. “Pardon?”
“I would like to speak to Nina,” I confirmed, my voice low and dangerous, each word laced with simmering rage.
Before he could even respond, I pressed on, my patience wearing thin. “You can move or be removed. Your choice.”
A look of defiance crossed his face as he kissed her cheek. My blood boiled at the sight, a red-hot fury surging through me as he finally walked away.
Nina’s eyes flashed with anger as she walked closer to me, her voice a harsh whisper. “Are you fucking crazy? You don’t get to do that.” She turned to walk off, her posture rigid with fury.
I reached out, grabbed her arm, and reeled her in. The touch sent warmth through me I hadn’t anticipated, a rush of old emotions crashing over me. “Nina—”
“I said no,” she interrupted, her voice cutting through the air like a knife. She pulled her arm free and walked away, leaving me standing there, feeling fucking defeated. “Not here.”
I watched her disappear into the crowd, frustration simmering beneath my skin. I couldn’t leave it like this. My eyes stayed on her, waiting for a moment when she’d be alone.
Time dragged as conversations blurred into the background, my focus locked on her. Finally, she slipped onto a quiet balcony, away from the crowd. This was my chance.
Taking a steadying breath, I followed. The cool night air contrasted with the heat of my emotions. She stood with her back to me, gazing over the city. For a moment, I hesitated, but I had to try.
“Nina,” I called softly.
She turned slowly, her expression unreadable. The moonlight cast a soft glow on her face, highlighting the tension in her features.
“What do you want?” she asked, her tone guarded.
“I… I just want to talk.”
She crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing slightly. “I have nothing to say to you.”
I ran a hand through my hair, frustration bubbling up again. “Then listen.”
She rolled her eyes, gripping the railing tightly.
“Firstly, I didn’t mean to cause a scene. But… I can’t stand the thought—”
“The fucking thought of what, Ronan?Losing me? Me with another man?” she interrupted, her eyes blazing with anger. “Five years too late.”
I swallowed hard, knowing I deserved that. “Ni—”
“I don’t want to hear it,” she snapped, her voice shaking with rage and hurt. “I hate you. I hate you for what you did to me. I hate you for every single emotion I feel. I hate you for making me fall in love with you and then leav—”
“That’s un—” I interjected, my voice trembling with a mix of guilt and desperation.
“Unfair?” she asked, her tone incredulous.
“I had a lot go—”
