"Enough."
Noelle's weak voice interrupted him. She removed the oxygen mask, struggling to sit up.
"Noelle!" Lorenzo rushed over. "Don't move, you need to rest—"
"Stop, Lorenzo."
She looked at me, eyes cold as frost. "Kholod, please leave."
I wiped blood from my mouth. "I still have things to say—"
"No need." She cut me off, voice weak but firm. "Kholod Morozov, I never want to see you again."
"Noelle..."
"Leave." Tears streamed down her face. "For saving my life, I'm begging you to disappear from my world forever."
"I..."
"If you don't go," she took a shaky breath, voice trembling, "I'll jump from that window. Kholod, I'd rather die than see you again."
Those words extinguished all hope like ice water. Seeing the finality in her eyes, I finally understood—
"Alright." My voice was hollow. "I'll go."
Step by step, I backed toward the door, each movement tearing through me like agony.
At the threshold, I stopped, my back to her. "Take care, Noelle."
I pushed open that door that would forever separate our futures. Nick's subordinates waited in the hallway.
"Boss, you—"
"We're leaving."
"But—"
"Now."
"Yes, sir."
One final glance at that closed door, and I knew this was the ending I deserved.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Noelle
"Tara, more stuff for you," Shahruk called from outside the shop.
I pushed open the door and picked up the blue gift box with the Tiffany logo, irritation surging through me.
"Did you tick someone off?"
"Just some stalker I can't shake."
"Want me to call Chief Chadon?"
"No." I hefted the heavy box in my hands. "He's just a nutcase. Let him waste his time."
