Chapter 167: Aftermath of Surrender
The room was silent.
Bella lay motionless, her body still humming, her breath slow, uneven.
Dante was beside her, his arm draped over her waist, his fingers lazily tracing patterns against her bare skin.
He wasn't speaking.
Wasn't sleeping.
Just watching her.
Like he was afraid she would disappear.
Bella swallowed hard, her chest tightening.
Because this changed everything.
She had given in.
Had let him touch her, take her, ruin her all over again.
And now?
She didn't know how to undo it.
Dante's voice was quiet when he finally spoke.
"You're not running this time."
Bella closed her eyes.
"I don't know if I can."
Dante's grip tightened.
"Then don't."
Bella's heart ached.
Because was it really that simple?
Could she really just stay?
After everything?
After the blood, the war, the time they had spent trying to destroy each other?
She didn't know.
But as Dante pulled her closer, his body warm and solid and real—
She realized she wasn't ready to let go just yet.
And maybe—
Maybe she never would be.