Page 52 of A Sinful Gravity

"What do you want?" She smirked, still not looking.

"I'm sorry."

She finally turned, eyes on me.

"Sorry?" She laughed, but it twisted like pain. "Cassian, that sorry fixes nothing."

"I know." Her using my full name hit hard. I stepped closer, desperate. "But give me a chance..."

"No need." She cut me off. "It's done."

My hands balled, nails digging in. "You're right. All my fault. I shouldn't have doubted you, broken promises, run from my feelings. But I love you. For real."

Her lashes fluttered.

"These six years, every day I thought," my voice dropped low, "if I'd answered that call, if I hadn't gotten drunk, if I'd trusted you—would you still be here?"

Silence.

Rain pattered against the window, a steady whisper.

After what felt like forever, she spoke.

"What's the point?" Her voice muffled. "It's over."

"What about Laila?" I finally asked.

She tensed hard.

I watched her, heart pounding, but kept my voice steady, laced with hope.

"Laila... she's mine, isn't she?"

She whipped her head around, panic flashing in her eyes before cold took over.

"No." That word shattered my facade.

"Luna—"

"I said no." She stood, voice like stone. "Laila has nothing to do with you."

I stared, closing the gap in two quick steps.

I grabbed her wrist, pulling us close. The touch after so long made my gut tighten.

I looked down at her. "Don't lie to me." My control slipped. "I held her, Luna. I felt it—the connection!"

"Let go," she said.

"You telling me she's got nothing to do with me?" I didn't budge. "You know these six years—"

"I said let go." She twisted free, her body brushing mine. My bare chest against her thin clothes, I felt her heartbeat racing like mine.

"Luna," I fought the urge, pulled her closer, inches apart.

"Look me in the eyes and say she's not mine."

She tilted her head up, eyes full of walls. "She's not yours." Word by word. "Cassian, you hear me? Get out."