Chapter 416: Confessions
As Isabella leaned into him, the realization that Ian was here for her, that he had somehow found his way to her, was overwhelming. The floodgates of emotions she had tried so hard to dam broke free, tears streaming down her cheeks, not just from fear or surprise, but from a well of feelings too complex to name. Yet, in the safety of Ian’s embrace, surrounded by his warmth and the undeniable reality of his presence, she found a sense of peace she hadn’t known she could have.
Unable to help himself, Ian patted her back and teased her," Ahh, now you cry like a baby.What happened to all that ’I’m breaking up with you’ stiffness?"
And in that moment, she remembered the threat that Emerald had given her. Hurriedly, she scrambled off his lap and wiped her tears, without daring to look at him," You need to go. I told you already that we are breaking up? Why did you come here then? Is it your ego that is hurt because I broke up with you? If that is the case, then go ahead and you break up with me."
"We are not breaking up." Ian said coolly as he looked at the girl who’d been crying in his arms a moment ago.
"We’ve already broken up." Isabella answered, unable to keep the tremor out of her voice.
The air crackled with tension as Isabella finally glared at Ian, her eyes still glistening with unshed tears. Ian, on the other hand, maintained his composure, his expression calm and determined, as if he was not discussing anything more important than the weather.
Isabella crossed her arms in a defensive stance as she retorted, "Ian, we can’t just ignore the fact that I ended things. I meant it."
Ian sighed," No you didn’t. And that is the problem. If you’d ended things honestly, I wouldn’t be here. But you are hiding something. And trying to push me away. That doesn’t work on me Isabella."
She scoffed, a mixture of anger and hurt in her voice. "Oh, so now you’re going to decide if I’m honest or not?"
Ian sighed and pushed up his glass with a mutter or irritation,’I did not come here to pick a fight with you. So stop that."
"Well, then, what did you come here for? Did you think I would welcome you when I have specifically told you that I have no interest in you? Nothing changes the fact that we’re broken up."
Finally, Ian sighed and covered her mouth with his hand,"Get it through your head, Isabella Ruffalo. I love you, and you love me. So, we cannot break up."