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really this stubborn? I should’ve known better.
She’s always been like this—too proud, too independent,’ Justin thought, tightening his grip for a moment before realizing he was only making things worse.
The pressure in his chest grew heavier, but he didn’t let go.
“I’m not going to argue with you here, Anna.
I’m just asking you to come with me.
It’s not like I’m asking you for the world.
”
Bella, feeling the heat of his embrace and the weight of his words, narrowed her eyes, trying to control her rising anger.
“You don’t get it, do you, Justin?” she hissed.
“You think you can control me just because you’ve always done so.
But I’m not the same person I was before.
I don’t owe you anything anymore.
”
Justin stiffened, and for a split second, something flickered in his eyes—a hint of realization, maybe regret, but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared.
He released her arm, but not without a final, lingering touch that sent an electric shiver through her.
Bella stepped back, her chest rising and falling with the intensity of her emotions.
“You’re right about one thing, Justin.
You don’t get to just walk in and demand answers anymore.
I’m done with this.
Done with you.
”
Justin stood there, rooted to the spot, watching her walk away.
For the first time, he felt an unfamiliar sense of helplessness.
His world had always been controlled, calculated, and predictable—but Anna, no, Bella now, had broken that mold.
As she disappeared down the hallway, Justin remained, the silence pressing in on him like a heavy weight.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t just about the necklace or the chaos earlier.
There was something deeper, something from their past that he had never fully understood or let go of.
But now, Bella was gone.
And the more he thought about it, the more he realized—he didn’t just want her back in his life; he needed her.
