~LAUREN’S POV~

He was giving me a choice. Stay. Or walk out and pretend this never happened. I could do it. I could stand up, turn around, and leave this all behind—this world, this man, this moment.

But my body betrays me. My legs refuse to move. My heart slams against my ribcage like it already knows what my mind won’t admit.

Alexandro watches me, his green eyes steady, waiting.

I reach for my glass, wrapping my fingers around the stem like it’s some kind of lifeline. I take a sip—too fast, too deep. The champagne bubbles burn my throat.

Alexandro chuckles.

And just like that, my annoyance flares.

“What’s...