Counterback of the Despised Luna by Diana West

Chapter 221 Doubts Caden's POV +6 Pearis Kissing Rosaline again felt like stepping into a memory I couldn't outrun-familiar, yet powerful enough to pullunder. It was a feeling that consumed me, wrapping around my chest, pulling tighter with each second. I couldn't stop. I didn't want to.

I missed her.

More than I ever thought possible.

Since she called off the engagement and left Citypark, not a moment passed without thoughts of her. Every smile, every glance-no matter how small-lingered in my mind, haunting me, tauntingwith what I'd lost.

Sleep beca distant dream. I tossed and turned every night, unable to escape the ache in my chest.

When I saw the news about her and Jasper, a dark wave of anger and panic swept over me. The thought of losing her, of her slipping away, was unbearable.

When I heard she was in danger at Mount Whitelength, everything insidesnapped. I didn't hesitate. I dropped everything and rushed to find her.

Now, standing at her door, nothing else mattered. Not my grandfather. Not Tessa. I had to see her, to know she was safe.

But when I walked in, what did I find? Jasper. His hands on her shoulders. Too close. Too familiar.

The way they stood together-it was like they were a part of cach other, comfortable and easy, a stark contrast to the distance betweenand Rosaline.

And her... she barely looked at me, her indifference cutting deeper than any harsh words could.

Was it true? Was she really... with him? Were all the rumors-those rumors-true? My frustration boiled over, burning through me. Without thinking. I kissed her again, pushing deeper, more forceful this time. My tongue slipped past her lips with an urgency I couldn't control.

Rosaline's POV: The kiss hitlike a sudden storm.

1 froze.

My mind went blank, my body locking up in shock as the reality of the moment hit.

What was he doing? We were done. The engagement was over. He had no right to do this.

dub 100% +6 Pearls I wanted him to feel every ounce of the anger I'd been holding back.

The sharp taste of blood flooded my mouth, and I felt his grip loosen as he pulled away with a growl.

I gasped for air, my chest rising and falling in rapid bursts. The share and anger clashed within me, burning hotter than ever. "Caden, that's enough!" I snapped, my voice shaking, breathless from the storm of emotions coursing through me.

Caden's face drained of color, his expression hardening into a mask of cold fury.

A palpable chill emanated from him, making the air seem to thicken, sulfocating everything around us. It was as though the world itself had frozen in place.

He stood there, every muscle taut, his sharp features carved with tension. His gaze-dark, intense, and relentless-fixed on me, sending a cold shiver racing down my spine.

We remained suspended in that moment, the silence wrapping around us, heavy and suffocating. How long had we stood like this? I couldn't say. Finally, his voice broke through, low and dangerous, each word falling like ice. "Rosaline, is it true? Are you really going out with Jasper now?" His words sliced through me. The question echoed in my head, but I couldn't bring myself to answer right away. Why was he asking this again? Did he truly not understand why I did what I did? I frowned, the weight of his accusation pressing down on me.

"Did you end our engagement because of Jasper?" His tone grew sharper, colder, as if daringto deny it. Jasper? Was he really trying to blthis on him? No. This wasn't about Jasper at all. It was about Tessa.

I lifted my chin, meeting his icy stare with defiance. "Caden, don't twist the truth. Don't act like you don't know why I ended things between us." "I don't understand!" His voice cracked with frustration, each word strained as if he were trying to choke back something. "Tell me, Rosaline. I need to hear it from you-why did you do it?" A bitter laugh escaped me, sharp and full of contempt. "So now you want the truth? Fine, I'll give it to you." I drew a deep breath, steadying myself, and locked eyes with him. "I've told you before, Caden. I don't take love lightly. Whoever I marry has to loveentirely. Their heart has to belong to me, andalone." "But from the very start, it was clear. You've always loved Tessa." "So, you broke off the engagement because of Tessa?" Caden's eyebrow quirked slightly, his gaze softening just enough for a flicker of doubt to show.

"Yes," I answered, my voice firm and unshakable.

Caden's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing with intensity. His voice dropped lower, alr Then tellthis: If I told you that nothing happened betweenand Tessa-if I swore then between us would you cback to me?" a whisper was nothin A laugh, bitter and disbelieving, slipped past my lips. "Do you really think I'd believe that?" I scoffed, my Chapter 221 Doubts words cutting sharp.

Caden didn't back down. His gaze held mine, unrelenting. "Why wouldn't you believe me?" +8 Pearls "Because on the day of our engagement party, when everything shout have been perfect, you disappeared without a word. I couldn't reach you I thought something had happened to you. I searched everywhere, panicked... only to find you with Tessa I took a step closer, my voice rising. It was clear tothen. Tessa mattered more to you than I ever did. Or more accurately... you've always loved her. If that's true, then this engagement-our engagement-should never have happened." Caden's jaw tightened, his eyes flashing with frustration. “I didn't ignore you. I sent you a message, didn't I?! told you I'd be picking you up later." A text message? I froze, a knot of confusion forming in my stomach.

When had he ever senta message? "I didn't see anything." I replied, my voice edged with disbelief and sarcasm.

Caden's POV: I furrowed my brow, my thoughts scrambling. My phone died that day. It was Tessa who had sent the message, not me.

So why hadn't Rosaline gotten it? What had gone wrong? Could Tessa have been involved in sway?

I stood there in silence, lost in the labyrinth of my own mind. Rosaline's voice broke the stillness sharp as a knife. "Caden, don't even try to deny ΕΠ it. You've been in love with Tessa all this time, haven't you? Isn't she the one who's always been on your mind?" "Rosaline, I won't lie to you," I said slowly, each word weighed carefully. Tve had a bond with Tessa, but it's not what you think." Yes, Tessa had meant something to me, for a long time.

I thought she was the one I was meant to be with.

But then Rosaline cinto my life, and everything shifted couldn' deny it. Slowly, found myself drawn to her in ways I couldn't explain. When I met Heidi, I knew there was no spark between us, no connection tying us together.

Even though I wasn't an Alpha, and Edward couldn't sense a destined mate, I felt it deep inside me.

It was Rosaline, she was the one.

Edward shared my sentiments.

Chapter 221 Doubts But Tessa had saved my life. That kind of debt isn't something I could easily forger.

So, when Tessa asked for my help, Lagreed, without hesitation.

* Pearls Rosaline hit her lip, her gaze unwavering, as she processed everything I'd said. The silence hung between us like a heavy curtain.

"I've told you everything about Tessa," I said, my voice taut. "Now, it's your turn. What's going on v with you and Jasper?" The image of what Ed seen downstairs still gnawed at me, making my chest tighten with unease.

But instead of answering, Rosaline's question caughtcompletely off guard. "Caden, are you sure Heidi is Tessa?" 294 09:01 Wed, 19 Mar Counterback of the Despised Lama mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofifl0&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1