Chapter SEVENTY-EIGHT

Dane I stood in the middle of the room, watching Luisa sleep. The dim light cast soft shadows across her face, her dark lashes resting against her pale cheeks. She looked peaceful, completely unaware of the war raging inside me. I told myself to turn away, to leave her to her dreams, but I couldn’t move. I was trapped, staring at the one person I had hurt the most. The longer I looked at her, the harder it became to push the memories away. My mind dragged me back, forcing me to relive the things I had done, the things I had said. I saw the way she had looked at me that night, her eyes full of betrayal, lips trembling as she tried to hold back tears. I had been cruel. I knew it then, but I didn’t care. I wanted to push her away, to make her hate me because it was easier than admitting the truth. Now, standing here, all I felt was regret. The kind that sank deep into my bones, making me question whether I deserved to be near her. I clenched my fists, jaw tightening as I tried to fight it