Alyona

I hadn’t gone far when Ashton caught up with me. “Alyona, stop!” I kept walking.

He reached for my wrist, pulling me back, not violently, but firmly. My heart thundered in my chest.

“Let go of me!” I hissed, yanking my hand away.

But he didn’t.

“Please. Just five minutes,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “If after that you still want to walk away, I won’t stop you again. I promise.”

I glared at him, breathing hard, jaw clenched.

“Five minutes,” I ...