Page 184 of A Reign of Chromes & Shadows

He was too caught in the swell of emotion rising in his chest; a tide he’d held back for far too long.

“It pains me to admit that I had almost reached my limit,” he confessed, letting out a bitter, humourless laugh. “And that was when you all came into my life.”

The table had gone silent.

Rain didn’t realise.

He was speaking from a place so deep inside himself that the world around him blurred.

“Each of you changed my entire world in such a short time. You reignited something in me—a spark I thought I’d lost. You gave me the strength to embrace the life I’m destined for. I don’t know how to express my gratitude, but I promise I will honour this gift. I will do everything in my power to be the king you deserve.”

His voice softened, but the conviction remained.

“I don’t need a man, woman, male or female at my side to live up to that promise. I assure you.”

Emily blinked rapidly, tears gathering in her eyes.

The emotion in the booth thickened with warm, heavy, intimacy.

Until Rogan broke it.

“Wow,” he breathed. “I’ve got chills.”

Rain’s entire body tensed.

He snapped back into himself like a rubber band pulled too tight.

His gaze darted around the table, noting Emily’s watery eyes, Rogan’s awe, Wren’s soft smile, Jay’s unreadable expression.

Sympathy.

It hit him like a punch to the gut.

He hated it.

Sympathy felt like pity wearing a polite mask.

It made him feel small, exposed, weak; everything he’d spent his life fighting against.

He straightened abruptly, spine rigid, jaw tightening.

He needed to shut this down.

Fast.

“So, to answer your question, Emily,” he said, voice clipped. “No. I do not wish to get back with Jay. He was right to end things with me.”

Across the table, Jay choked on his drink.

The hurt in his eyes was immediate; sharp, unguarded, devastating.

He recoiled as though Rain had physically struck him.

Rain winced.

He hadn’t meant to hurt him; not like that.

But he couldn’t take it back now.