“Please don’t. Besides, I’m not going back there. He said no, and I respect that.”
I’m not going to lose hope, though.After all, hope is all I have.
CHAPTER 27 – ANTONIO
An ancient philosopher named Seneca once wrote that his heart was a heavy burden.
I seem to have the same condition.
How dare Caspian not come back?
Yes, technically it’s my fault, but I’ve never been that committed to technicalities. If we zoom out far enough, this is clearly his doing.
He started this.
I’m also jealous. My jealousy might be as unfair as my resentment is, but I still growl whenever I think about his hazel eyes softening for someone else.
He better not be interested in anyone else. He better not have moved on.
I’m in the library, trying to study, but I can’t concentrate.
Was it Montaigne who said he was hurt by all things? Wise men, him and Seneca. Maybe someday a small, heartbroken boy will stare into the abyss and think that the great Antonio di Scotti once said—
A shadow falls over the table.
NO.
I refuse to look up. If I don’t look up, Ryan isn’t there.
I start shoving books into the bag, my heart already on its way to my throat.
I loathe myself for giving Ryan this power.
You’re an adult. He can’t hurt you anymore. You can stop him.
Tell it to someone who believes in himself.
My useless fingers fumble and make the corner of a book catch on the fabric of my bag.
Ryan chuckles when he sees how I’m struggling.
“Do I make you nervous?”
“Leave me alone.”
“Look at you,” he mocks, tilting his head. “So defiant.”
His hand lifts, but not to hit.
To touch.
He brushes my cheek, and I jerk back so hard the chair nearly tips.
“Don’t touch me.”
His face twists.
I try to back up, but there’s a bookshelf right behind me. Ryan cages me in easily, arms braced on either side. The twisted satisfaction he gets from this is clear on his face.
