#40

Ryan’s POV:

She looked at me with such hatred that I flinched. I could feel it through the bond, the bitterness that Emilia's words had stirred within her.

"I should have gone with Raven when I had the chance," she hissed against me.

I know she's saying this to hurt me, but I don't believe it. I know the way she looked at me earlier in the evening and that she still has feelings for me.

"Liar," I retorted. "You don't want Raven, Eve. You want me. No matter how much you try to deny it, I can feel it. Our bond grows stronger with each passing day, and I know you care."

"I don't know what delusion you're living in, but you're wrong."

"You wouldn't react like this if you didn't still care about me," I said firmly.

"Fuck you," she growled in response.

Eve turned to leave, the sound of her heels echoing in the tense air. Without thinking, I reached out and grasped her hand, pulling her gently back towards me.

"Don’t act like that. Let me explain. It's not what you're thinking."

"You know wh