Chapter 39: Logan’s Outburst
"No," Logan said, his grip steady, his jaw clenched. "I’ve let you walk all over me enough. I’ve held back for days, trying to be the bigger person, trying to be kind. But you... you throw it all back in my face."
"I didn’t ask you to jump in the ocean," she shouted.
"No, you didn’t," he spat back. "But I did it anyway. Because despite everything, I thought you were worth it. I thought... maybe you’d change."
He leaned in close, eyes burning into hers. "But you’re still the same, aren’t you? Cold. Arrogant. Ungrateful."
Jean turned her face, but Logan’s hand caught her jaw, gently but firmly making her face him.
"I’m not leaving," he said, low and dangerous. "Not until you say it."
Jean’s throat tightened, her chest rising and falling in uneven breaths. She was trembling... not from fear, but from the force of everything between them, everything unspoken, buried, and now crashing into the surface.
He held her gaze, refusing to back down. "Say it, Jean."
She blinked, emotions twisting violently inside her, her pride and her pain at war.
Jean’s body stiffened as Logan’s grip burned into her arms. Her eyes met his, defiant but haunted. "You want an apology?" she snapped, trying to pull away. "Fine."
His grip tightened slightly... not to hurt, but to keep her from running away again, like she always did when things got too close.