Alina's POV
I let out a sharp, bitter laugh that scraped against the silence between us. "Aren't you tired of this yet, Aiden?" My voice came out steadier than I felt. "What exactly do you think you're going to gain? I'm not coming back. I'm happy where I am now."
The irritation that flashed across his face was instant—jaw tightening, eyes narrowing into that familiar dangerous glint. He hated being rejected. He always had.
"You have no idea what you're saying," he growled, stepping closer. "I gave you a better life—"
"No." I cut him off, the word slicing through the air. "You gave me a cage and called it a life. I was never myself with you. I was just… surviving."
His expression darkened. For a moment, the forest around us felt too quiet, like even the trees were holding their breath.
"Did you never love me?" The question slipped out low and rough. When I didn't answer immediately, he pressed again, voice cracking just slightly. "Alina. Did you never love me?"
