76. Breaking The Walls

He clicked his tongue. “You know that’s not possible. I can’t leave at this moment, not when I know you need me most in your life.” His voice was firm, but there was something unsettling in his tone, a hint of control disguised as concern. “Come back to the Carlos mansion, and I promise it will ease the stress.”

I stared at him, my heart pounding. His words sounded like a lifeline, but I knew better. The Carlos mansion wasn’t a sanctuary; it was a cage. What’s the point of going back to the only place in the world where I’m not clearly wanted? “I don’t need to go back there, Nathaniel,” I said, my voice trembling slightly. “That place isn’t where I belong anymore.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, a flash of impatience crossing his face. “You’re making this harder than it needs to be, Veronica. Everything can go back to normal if you just let me help.”

“I don’t want your help,” I snapped, finally letting my anger surface. “All you do is manipulate everything around you. You don’t care abou