Chloe’s POV
“I am willing to be myself,” I replied.
He shook his head. “You are too stubborn.”
“Then stop coming back,” I said quietly.
He did not answer.
I stepped closer. “I will not push you anymore,” I said. “I will not tempt you at work. I will not call you endlessly.”
He looked at me carefully.
“But I will not disappear,” I added. “I will stay. On your terms. For now.”
His shoulders relaxed slightly.
“For now,” he repeated.
“Yes,” I said.
“And if she finds out,” he said, “you will regret this.”
“Maybe,” I replied. “But I will not regret choosing you.”
Silence returned.
He reached out and touched my cheek gently, the first softness since the argument began.
“You do not know what you are standing against,” he said.
“I know,” I replied. “And I am still here.”
He dropped
