It filled me.
“Do you still desire me the way you did back then?”
The words hit too hard.
Like something sharp sliding between my ribs.
I froze. Completely.
My breath caught somewhere in my throat.
Desire?
Back then—
I hadn’t even understood what that meant.
All I knew was that I hadn’t wanted to leave him.
That I had stayed. That I had cared.
But now—
Now the word meant something else entirely.
Something dangerous.
Before I could answer—he stepped closer.
Closing the distance between us like it meant something.
Like it mattered.
“Because if you do...”
His voice dropped.
Darker. Lower. More dangerous.
“...I’ll cancel this wedding right now...”
Another step closer.
“...and make you my bride.”
My heart slammed violently against my chest.
Wait—
What?
My thoughts scattered, chaotic and unsteady.
Wedding.
Bride.
His wedding.
