Page 120 of A Sinful Gravity

"And all of it—your coldness created it. I have the right to protect her, and to keep her from a swamp that could kill her soul!"

Cassian's breathing was ragged. "Protect her by making her sleep on floors in some dump in London, letting her suffer with you instead of coming back to Washington to be the highest princess?"

"Fuck being a princess!" Years of rage erupted. My voice was completely hoarse. "She doesn't need to be a princess. She needs a mother who can give her security! Not some asshole father who never thinks about his own problems and only knows how to throw money at people!"

He didn't understand. He hadn't changed at all. Still didn't grasp what I wanted.

Luna, you fool. You actually thought he could completely change.

Those bloodshot eyes bored into me with devastating despair. "So what? You still won't let her know I'm her father?"

"Yes!" Fury and desperation clouded my judgment. Words I'd buried deepest erupted.

"I never planned to stay. Cassian, you think a month of tenderness changes anything? I already signed with Ballet Chicago. When this performance ends, I'm taking her and leaving, leaving this disgusting place forever!"

After the words left my mouth, I felt strangely hollow and uneasy. Because I knew I'd lied. During this time here, I'd been craving Cassian too. But I had to make the right choice.

The air froze solid.

All the noise, fury, roaring—turned to ash in the face of "leaving."

Cassian's taut body went rigid. His clenched fists slowly opened, like a statue drained of its soul.

I watched the last trace of hope in his eyes die completely.

He didn't yell. Instead, an eerie calm settled over him, born of extreme grief.

"You're leaving?" He looked at me with eyes no longer angry but fragile, mocking.

"So that's it," he murmured, voice soft as wind.

He laughed bitterly—an ugly laugh more heartbreaking than tears.

"So this whole time you've been lying to me." He said. "The dinners, the walks, that night. All fake. You never planned to stay."

"That's not—" His broken gaze made my heart clench. I knew his heart had shattered.

"Fine." He backed away one step, then another, opening distance between us. "Perfect. Luna Crawford."

"So all the tenderness, all the 'starting over'—just your stalling tactic. You're crueler than I imagined. Watching me plan our future like a fool, did you find it ironic?"

"Cassian... I didn't—" My heart contracted violently, overwhelming regret flooding through me.

"Don't explain." He cut me off, retreating another step, opening a chasm we could never cross.

He straightened his rumpled collar, becoming the cold, noble King family leader again—except for the devastating despair around his eyes.

"You win." He nodded, voice devoid of warmth, trembling slightly.

I had no words. What could I say?

He looked at me deeply one last time. Then he spun on his heel, shoes striking the floor sharply, never looking back.

I watched his retreating figure, drowning in regret. My stomach churned, throat squeezed tight, tears streaming uncontrollably. I wanted to chase him, but my legs were too weak.

In the empty hallway, his silhouette disappeared into darkness.

The engine roared outside, then faded until I heard nothing.