8

The tension in the room became heavy as Derek’s words faded, leaving him unusually quiet. His usual confidence was now gone, shaken by Nicolas’s unexpected statement. Derek’s eyes moved between Nicolas and i, looking for something to use to his advantage, but found nothing.

And then I saw his look, his anger at Nicolas and something inside me snapped. He didn’t just look angry; he looked ready to explode.

I immediately moved without thinking, placing myself between Derek and Nicolas and blocking Derek’s line of sight. My jaw clenched as I felt my hands balling into fists in anger.

“You’re done here, Derek. Leave.” I uttered as i kept my voice steady, ignoring the fact that refusing his rejection would cause him great pain and agony.

The room was so silent, you could hear a pin drop.

Then suddenly behind me, I heard it—a soft sniffle and the sound of trembling hands. I turned, and my heart twisted painfully at what I saw.

Nicolas. He stood there, his eyes was filled with te