Chapter 92: Wouldn’t Change Anything
Zylan stilled, his towering presence commanding the room. That alone spoke volumes, his very stance a barrier against vulnerability. Naomi rose to meet his gaze, her golden eyes tinged with bitterness. She offered a faint, tight-lipped smile, one that held more pain than warmth. What had she been thinking? That Zylan would confide in her? That he would trust her enough to share the secrets buried deep within him?
Her smile widened, but not out of joy. It was bitter, self-mocking, as though laughing at her own naivety. How foolish she’d been to think she was special enough for him to open up. She turned on her heel, the resolve to leave taking over before the ache in her chest could consume her.
Before she could take another step, a hand closed gently yet firmly around hers.
"Wait," he said.
The word was soft, hesitant, but it carried the weight of a plea. Naomi froze at the unexpected touch, her heart skipping a beat despite her resolve. She glanced down at his hand gripping hers, and then at his face. For a fleeting moment, the mask Zylan wore so well cracked, revealing a flicker of something she wasn’t sure she could name—was it fear?
Her breath hitched, and she quickly masked her surprise. She had no right to expect more from him. None at all.
"It’s fine, Zylan," she said, her voice steady but tinged with a quiet sadness. "You have your secrets. I have mine. We all do."
Her words sounded like acceptance, but deep down, she knew they weren’t. They were a lie, one she had to tell herself to keep the fragile balance between them from shattering completely.
If only he knew how much it hurt her to say those words. If only he knew how desperately she wanted him to speak, to trust her, to let her in. She didn’t care about the secrets themselves—she cared about him, about being someone he could turn to in his darkest moments.
Naomi felt a lump form in her throat but swallowed it down, unwilling to let her emotions betray her. She made a move to pull her hand away, but his grip tightened ever so slightly.
"Naomi," he murmured, his voice low and strained.