Chapter 170

David’s eyes darkened again, frustration clawing at his restraint. “You can scream, curse, or run all you want, Lily. But you’re not leaving me. Never.” “Watch me,” she hissed. He straightened up, looking down at her one last time. “Fine,” he said, voice tight with anger. “You want freedom so badly? Earn it. Stay for a month prove that walking away is really what you want.” Lily turned her head sharply toward the window, blinking away the sting in her eyes. “You’ll regret this,” she said quietly. David’s expression softened for a moment, the fury dimming into something almost sorrowful. “I already do,” he whispered. Then he turned and walked to the window, his back rigid, his hands clenched. The silence in the room stretched long and heavy. Lily pressed her palm against her chest, trying to steady her heart. It hurt more than she wanted to admit. Every time he got close, every time he said her name in that rough, broken tone, it tore through the walls she’d built. But she wouldn’t give