Chapter 135

I stood there in James's embrace, my heart heavy with the weight of everything unsaid. His arms around me felt both like a comfort and a chain, reminding me of the love we shared and the impossibility of our situation. I wanted to stay there forever, but the looming reality of my impending marriage to Vincent hung over me like a dark cloud.

The truth I had just spoken—about marrying Vincent—sat between us like a ticking time bomb, waiting to explode.

"Aimee," James whispered, his voice rough with emotion, "there has to be another way."

I pulled back slightly, looking up into his eyes. They were filled with so much pain, and it cut me deeply. He was always strong, always in control, but now... now he was breaking, and it was because of me.