Lara let out a breath.
“I do,” she admitted, her voice quiet but steady. “I’m not gonna lie—feelings like that don’t just disappear overnight. It would be easier if they did.”
She inhaled, letting the cold air calm her racing thoughts.
“But… that’s just it. I may still love him… but I love myself more now. I don’t want to be with him, Reagan. Not anymore. I’ve been burned enough. And I know I’ll never be able to trust him again. No matter what he says, the damage has been done. I want to start over. I want peace. And I don’t want that peace to include him.”
“Then you should do that,” Reagan finally said, his voice low. “Keep choosing your peace, Lara. Don’t let him—or anyone—pull you back into something that broke you.” his gaze remained on her, soft and steady. “You’re allowed to out
