Chapter 21

Guinevere's POV

“Gwen…” Hayden’s voice softened as he gazed into my eyes, his expression a mix of determination and pain. “It hurts my ego to say this, to tell the woman I love to do such a thing.”

Then don’t

“But,” he continued, “I really want to be with you, together leading our people, building a family. And that can’t be done unless we bring down Reagan.”

His plea hung in the air, a heavy weight pressing on my chest. “I know it’s difficult, but please, can you do it?”

My mind screamed “No,” but the words lodged in my throat, refusing to come out. Instead, I forced a smile and gave a small nod, my heart clenching with uncertainty.

Hayden’s face lit up with a wide smile, relief washing over his features. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a tight embrace. “I love you,” he whispered, his breath warm against my ear.

“I love you too,” I replied, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. I tried to shake off the uneasy feelings gnawing at me. Was he truly happy that I agreed so