Sera's POV
Nicho’s arms were warm around me, and for a fleeting moment, I let myself sink into his embrace.
Not because I loved him.
Not even because I wanted him.
Maybe… it was because of how much I hated Cassian.
Hated how that man could still haunt me after everything he’d done.
But even as I stood there, pressed against Nicho’s chest, I knew I couldn’t go through with it. The fire I’d tried to ignite earlier wasn’t passion—it was pain masquerading as desire.
Gently, I pushed at his chest, creating distance between us.
“I can’t,” I breathed, shaking my head. My voice trembled despite my effort to stay firm. “I thought I could, but I can’t do this, Nicho. It’s… complicated.”
His expression shifted from frustration to something softer, though the edge in his voice remained. “Comp
