My heart thumped in my chest, his words slicing through the air with a sharp edge. Cassian’s gaze was intense, his hands still cupping my cheeks, his thumb tracing light circles as if he could draw the truth out of me with just his touch.
“Cassian…” I whispered, but he shook his head, his grip tightening ever so slightly.
“No, Peniel. I want an answer.” His voice was low, filled with a strange desperation I hadn’t seen before.
I struggled to find the right words. I knew I couldn’t hide from this forever. I had been torn between them for too long—between the loyalty I owed to Cassian and the undeniable connection I felt with Lucian. My lips parted to speak, but he was faster, his expression hardening.
“Tell me, Peniel. Who do you want by your side? Me… or my brother?”
“I… I don’t know,
