Page 67 of His to Destroy

This isn’t just about revenge anymore.

It’s about redemption.

It’s about building something stronger from the ruins.

It’s about love—the kind that burns hot enough to turn betrayal into ash.

Chapter 16 – Almeria

There’s something different about Gaspare tonight.

It’s not his silence—he’s always been the quiet, calculating type. It’s not even the tired slump of his shoulders.

It’s the way he won’t meet my eyes.

He stands by the window of the sitting room, hands shoved into his pockets, staring out into the darkness like he's waiting for a storm to roll in.

I watch him for a while, pretending to read the book in my lap.

Pretending not to notice the way his mouth tightens every few seconds, or the way his jaw ticks like he’s grinding words between his teeth.

Finally, I can't take it anymore.

I set the book down and rise to my feet.

"Are you going to tell me what's wrong," I say softly, "or do I have to guess?"

He stiffens.

For a long moment, he doesn’t say anything.

Just stands there, his back still to me, the muscles in his shoulders tight beneath the fabric of his shirt.

Then he lets out a low, almost weary breath.

"Nothing’s wrong," he says finally, his voice rough. "I’m just... stressed."

I keep my hands folded neatly in my lap, pretending to be calm, even as irritation prickles under my skin.

"Stressed," I echo, lifting an eyebrow.

He still won’t look at me.

I tap my fingers slowly against the armrest.

"Gaspare," I say, my voice sharper now, cutting through the heavy air between us. "Do I look like a kid to you?"

That gets his attention.

He turns slightly, eyes narrowing.

"What?"

"Do I look like a child?" I repeat, keeping my tone measured. "Someone who can't tell when something’s wrong?"

He presses his lips together, jaw flexing as if he’s biting back words.

"You don’t have to sugarcoat it," I continue quietly. "Not with me. Not anymore."

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