The moment thunder cracked across the sky, she flinched.
Rain drenched her to the bone. Her wavy hair clung to her neck and back, water trickling down her trembling face. The storm mercilessly hid her tears, but nothing could hide the devastation burning in her crimson eyes.
One hand gripped her phone so tightly her knuckles turned white, while the strap of her bag dug into her shoulder.
She looked broken.
She looked betrayed.
And she looked directly at the man standing a few feet away.
Dressed in an immaculate three-piece charcoal suit, Elian Moretti stood motionless amidst the rain.
Behind him, a convoy of sleek black cars lined the deserted road.
Men dressed in black tactical uniforms stood at attention, weapons secured, waiting for a single command from the man they answered to.
Yet, for the first time in years...
The most powerful man in the room wasn't in control.
She was.
"WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, ELIAN?"
Her voice ripped through the storm.
His jaw clenched.
She took another step back, laughing through tears.
"Why...?"
Her voice cracked.
"Why couldn't you just be real?"
"...Stella."
The nickname only shattered what little strength she had left.
"GO AWAY!"
She screamed until her throat burned.
"I beg you, Mr. Moretti... just leave me alone! I don't need your refuge! I never asked for your protection... I never asked for you!"
"...Shagun."
"Don't."
She pointed a trembling finger at him.
"Don't you dare say my name with that filthy mouth of yours."
Her breathing turned ragged.
"You're a liar... a traitor... an absolute bastard!"
She laughed again.
A broken laugh.
The kind that hurt more than crying.
"What did you think I was, huh? Some charity case?"
"Did you pity me? Is that what this was?"
Silence.
Only rain.
Only thunder.
Only the sound of two hearts breaking at the same time.
Tears streamed endlessly down her cheeks.
"I hope you lose everything, Elian."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"I hope betrayal becomes the last thing you ever feel."
The words hung between them.
For several seconds...
He said nothing.
Then, quietly-
"...Enough."
She stared at him in disbelief.
"...What?"
His hazel eyes met hers.
Calm.
Unmoving.
Yet heartbreak hid beneath every ounce of restraint.
"I said..."
His voice remained dangerously soft.
"Enough, Stella."
A beat of silence.
"One day... you'll regret every word you said tonight."
She scoffed.
"Regret?"
A bitter smile curved her lips.
"Not in this lifetime."
She looked at him as though he were a stranger.
As though every memory they shared had died with the truth.
"I hate you."
Her voice was quiet now.
No screaming.
No anger.
Just emptiness.
"...You disgust me."
For the first time...
Something inside Elian Moretti broke.
Yet he didn't move.
Didn't defend himself.
Didn't justify his choices.
He simply looked at the woman he loved more than his own life.
Rain rolled down his face as he whispered,
"And I will love you... until my last breath, mia Stella."
She turned around...
And walked away.
Without knowing...
He let her.
Because sometimes...
Loving someone meant enduring their hatred until they learned the truth.
_______________________________________________________________________________
AUTHOR'S NOTE-
A HUMBLE REQUEST TO EACH ONE OF YOU, I'M GRATEFUL THAT YOU CHOSE TO READ THIS BOOK. IT'S JUST A REQUEST THAT PLEASE PLEASE BE PATIENT WITH THE STORY. IT'S SLOWBURN SO PLEASE ENJOY IT EXCEPT RUSHING IT OR LEAVING IT. PLEASE
- Shagun
Hi, I'm an aspiring author who loves creating stories filled with emotion, romance, and unforgettable characters. If you enjoy my work, your support will help me continue writing regularly and sharing new chapters with you. Thank you for being part of this journey.
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