Chapter 198
Chapter 198:
Hilliard flinched. For a single moment the mask slipped, and Cailin saw a flash of raw pain — a glimpse of the man who used to hold her while she slept.
“I did,” he said, his voice rough. “I loved you more than I thought was possible p>
The light turned green. A car behind them honked.
Hilliard turned back to the road, the moment shattered. He pressed the accelerator and the car surged forward.
“That’s why this hurts,” he said, staring straight ahead. “Watching you turn into this p>
“I didn’t turn into anything,” Cailin said softly. “I survived. And one day, Hilliard, you’re going to wake up and realize you’ve been sleeping next to a viper. And I won’t be there to save you p>
“I don’t need saving,” Hilliard said. “I need peace. And that restraining order buys us peace p>
“It won’t buy peace,” Cailin murmured, turning back to the window. “It will just buy them time to reload p>
𝗗o𝗐𝗇𝘭𝘰a𝘥𝘢𝘣𝗹е 𝖯𝗗𝘍𝗌 𝗈𝗇.со𝘮
They didn’t speak for the rest of the drive.
The car descended into the hospital’s underground parking garage. Fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting long, dancing shadows across the concrete walls. It felt like descending into the underworld.
Hilliard parked in a reserved spot near the elevators and killed the engine. He didn’t open his door.
He sat for a moment, gripping the steering wheel.
“Cailin,” he said. “About five years ago p>
“Don’t.” Her hand was already on the door handle. “Don’t you dare ask me about the past right now. You forfeited the right to that conversation when you sided with her p>
“I am siding with the person who is in a hospital bed with a broken leg,” Hilliard snapped.
“And I’m the person with a stab wound you refuse to see,” Cailin shot back. She shoved the door open. “Let’s get this over with. I need my arm looked at p>
She stepped out into the damp, cool air of the garage. Her legs felt weak, but she locked her knees. She would not collapse. Not in front of him.
Hilliard got out and walked around the car. He reached out as though to take her elbow — a reflex of old manners, or perhaps old affection.
Cailin stepped away, putting distance between them.
“Don’t touch me,” she said.
Hilliard dropped his hand. His expression hardened again.
“Fine,” he said. “You get your arm treated, the restraining order is filed, and everyone walks away. Then you go back to your hotel, and we figure out what comes next p>
“There is no ‘next’ for us, Hilliard,” Cailin said, moving toward the elevator. “After tonight, we are done p>
They stepped into the elevator together. Hilliard pressed the button for the VIP floor. The doors slid shut, sealing them in a metal box that rose steadily upward.
Cailin watched the numbers climb, feeling like a prisoner walking to the gallows.