AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"It's too late for that," she retorts, her words clipped and cold. "You brought me into this when you decided to tear each other apart over me."
Her gaze flickers between Bastien and me, the disappointment etched across her face like a knife wound. I feel my stomach clench with shame, the weight of her disapproval crushing me beneath its relentless pressure.
"Was this really worth it?" she asks, her voice trembling with barely suppressed anger. "Destroying your friendship, your loyalty to Claude... all for what? A few stolen kisses?"
"More than just a few," I mutter, my heart aching at the memory of our passion. Bastien looks like he wants to punch me again. But the fire in her eyes is quickly extinguished, replaced by a cold, empty void that chills me to my core.
"Etienne, I can't do this," she whispers, her hand slipping from my arm as if burned by my touch. "I won't be the cause of your downfall."
"Then what do you suggest?" I ask, my voice harsh and brittle as I struggle to keep myself in check.
"Walk away," she replies hoarsely. "For your sake, and for mine."
The words hang in the air between us like a death sentence, the final nail in the coffin of our doomed affair. And as I stare into the depths of her gaze, I know she's right.
"Very well," I say, my voice devoid of emotion. "I'll walk away."
"Etienne..." Bastien starts, but I cut him off with a wave of my hand.
"Save it, Bastien," I growl, turning on my heel and stalking away from the wreckage of our friendship. The streets of New Orleans stretch out before me, dark and unforgiving, but I don't care. Let them swallow me whole – anything is better than the torment of knowing what I've lost.
As I disappear into the night, one thought echoes through my mind: I am truly alone now.
Chapter Seven
Lisette
––––––––
THE SCENT OF FRYINGdough and powdered sugar fills the air, a sweet dance that beckons me deeper into the world of beignets. My fingers work in rhythm, folding the dough with practiced ease, but my mind drifts elsewhere. Bastien's strong arms wrapped around me, his whispered promises of protection, echoing through my thoughts like a haunting melody. And yet, Etienne's passionate kiss lingers on my lips, the fire he ignited still smolders within me.
"Damn," I mutter under my breath, shaking my head in an attempt to refocus on the task at hand. The Laurents' anger has cooled, granting me the freedom to return to my bakery – my sanctuary. But even here, I can't escape the tangled web of emotions ensnaring me. Love, lust, and confusion coil together, threatening to suffocate me.
"Stop it, Lisette," I chastise myself, forcing my attention back to the dough. The beignets won't make themselves, after all.
As I carefully slip another batch into the hot oil, the image of Etienne's smoldering eyes burns in my mind. His lips were hungry, demanding, taking what he wanted without apology. The memory sends a shiver down my spine, a thrill of desire coursing through me.
