“I... I want to leave,” she said, her voice breaking. “Please... just let me go...”

He looked at her for a long moment, his eyes searching hers, his jaw tightening. “Fine. If that’s what you really want... I won’t stop you.”

Ella’s heart sank, her chest tightening. He was letting her go... just like that.

But then he leaned in, his eyes burning with intensity. “But if you leave... you’re on your own. I won’t come to your rescue again.”

His words cut through her, sharp ...