Nasya's POV
"Why won't you stay?" Austin asked the moment Harper left the car. His voice was tinged with a desperation that I had never heard from him before. There was a certain rawness in his tone, as if he was on the verge of losing something incredibly precious, and in a way, perhaps he was.
The faint scent of sandalwood incense curled through the air, reminding me of the day he'd driven me home after the graduation ball. We'd had an ugly argument that day—I remembered mustering all my courage to demand why he'd made me reject Zayn. The scene played out in my mind like a well - rehearsed movie, with Austin's stern expression and my own indignant outburst. At that time, I was so confused and hurt, unable to understand his motives.
Looking back now, I wished I'd listened. At least then I wouldn't be in this wretched state.
"How could I possibly stay after everything that's happened?"
"Penelope, if you're worried about today's incident—"
