Page 150 of When the Storm Breaks

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“Do not even think about putting your hands on me right now.”

She backs away slowly, like I might snap. Like I’m some wild thing she never should’ve trusted. Like I’m dangerous.

And maybe I am.

She grabs her things with sharp, jerky movements—like if she stops for even a second, she’ll fall apart.

She won’t let herself feel exposed. Not anymore.

Not to me.

“You don’t get to call that love,” she spits through gritted teeth. “And I can’t believe I ever fell for it.”

The room tilts.

I feel like a monster. Iamone.

She turns to leave. And I let her.

But just as she reaches the doorway, she hesitates. And when she turns back, the pain in her eyes nearly kills me.

It’s not just anger. It’s betrayal.

Loss.

Like I reached inside her and tore out every good memory we ever made.

“This is your only chance, Haiyden.” Her voice is steady, but itwavers. Just slightly. “Explain everything. Right now. Or you will never see me again.”

And I know this is goodbye.

Because I can’t.

I just…

Can’t.

“Calla, please.” My voice is nothing but a rasp, barely audible over the blood pounding in my ears. “You have to trust me—”

Before I can finish, the door slams shut.

The sound ricochets through the room, echoing in my chest, shaking something loose inside me.

I stand there, frozen, ears ringing.

Then, in the distance, the front door slams too.

My thoughts race, trying to make sense of what I’ve done—

Everything I kept buried.

Everything I just broke.

I stagger back, then drop to my knees. My fists twist in my hair. My breath comes in shallow bursts. My heart pounds. My chest aches.

And I can’t get enough air.

She’s really gone. And this time, it’s probably for good.

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