Alina's POV
"Please stay." His voice is low, almost broken, like the words scrape his throat on the way out.
I slip out of his bed, the sheets still warm against my skin. "I have to go now." My hands shake a little as I pick up my clothes and start pulling them on.
He catches my wrist. His fingers are warm, tight, desperate. "Please don't do this, Alina." His eyes search mine. "You know how miserable it gets when you're far away from me."
My chest tightens. I swallow hard. "Lucian… I want to stay. I really do. But I can't. Leo—my son—is still in that house. I can't leave without him." My voice comes out softer than I mean it to.
He doesn't let go of my wrist. His thumb brushes my skin, gentle and hurting at the same time. "I know. I respect that. But how long, Alina? How long do I keep waiting for you?" His voice cracks just a little. "It hurts… being away from you."
