Chapter 74
Mira’s POV
Killian avoided me the entire next day. When I came down for breakfast, I looked around, expecting to see him sitting at the table, but he wasn’t there. Luna Marinette noticed my searching gaze and said, “Killian had breakfast early and left for some important work.” Her voice was calm, but I couldn’t help feeling uneasy.
I tried to brush it off, thinking he would come back by lunch, but he didn’t. When I asked about him again, Luna Marinette said, “He is busy. He will probably be back later.”
Dinner came and went, and there was still no sign of him. This time, Luna Marinette told me, “He is out having dinner with some friends.” She smiled, but I could see a flicker of concern in her eyes.
Killian was avoiding me, and I knew why. He was angry about the slap, but I couldn’t believe he would stay away from home just because of that. My reaction had been normal after what he had done, hadn’t it?
I tried calling him several times throughout the evening, but his phone was switched off. The silence gnawed at me, leaving me restless. It was already late and the house was quiet. Everyone had gone to bed, but I couldn’t sleep.
I paced up and down the main hallway, my thoughts racing. Where was he? Was he okay? The worry tightened in my chest, making it hard to breathe.
It was almost 1:30 in the morning when the door finally opened. Killian stepped inside, looking tired but calm.
I felt relieved but it was quickly replaced by frustration.
“Killian, where have you been?” I asked, rushing toward him.
He ignored me, his footsteps steady as he walked past me, heading toward the stairs.
“Killian, I’m talking to you,” I said again, my voice firmer this time.
He stopped and turned to face me. His dark eyes were cold, his expression distant. “You’re not my mom, Mira, “he said flatly. “You don’t need to babysit me. I’m an adult. I can go wherever I want, whenever I want.”
His words stung, but I forced myself to stay calm. “I know that, Killian. I’m just worried about you. You’re angry, and I get it, but I-”
“I don’t need a lecture,” he interrupted and turned away.
“Please, Killian,” I said softly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
He paused for a moment but didn’t look back. Instead, he continued walking up the stairs.
I followed him. “Killian, please don’t do this. You’re my friend. I need you. I need your support to fight Aaron.” At that, he stopped and turned to face me. His jaw was tight, his hands clenched at his sides. “Being around. you hurts, Mira,” he said, his voice raw. “I’m madly in love with you, and you can’t give me what I want. Do you know how hard that is for me?”
My heart ached at his words. “Killian, I never wanted to hurt you. I value our friendship so much. I need you in my life.”
He shook his head, his expression bitter. “You don’t understand. Every time I see you, it’s a reminder of what I
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can’t have. I need to stay away from you, Mira. It’s the only way I can protect myself.”
“Don’t say that,” I whispered, my throat tight. “Please, Killian, don’t do this.”
+8 Points>
He turned and continued up the stairs. I followed him, refusing to let him shut me out. Before he could close
the door to his room, I slipped inside.
Killian sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s late, Mira. I’m tired. I need to sleep. Please, just leave me
alone.”
I crossed my arms, standing my ground. “I’m not leaving until we resolve this. I can’t lose you, Killian. You’re too important to me.”
His shoulders sagged, and he looked at me with tired eyes. “Mira, there’s nothing to resolve. You have made it clear how you feel. I just… I can’t keep doing this. It’s killing me.”
“Then don’t give up,” I said, my voice trembling. “Don’t let this ruin what we have. We can work through this
together.”
He laughed bitterly. “Together? Mira, you don’t feel the same way I do. How is that supposed to work? You want my friendship, but I can’t just turn off my feelings for you.”
I stepped closer, my heart pounding. “I don’t want you to turn off your feelings. I just want you to stay with me. I need you, Killian. I can’t do this without you.”
He looked at me, his eyes filled with pain and longing. “You don’t get it, Mira. Every moment I spend with you is torture. I want to hold you, kiss you, be with you, but I can’t. And knowing that you’ll never feel the same way… it’s unbearable.”
I felt tears prick my eyes. “Killian, I care about you so much. Maybe I don’t know what I feel yet, but please don’t push me away. You’re my rock. You keep me grounded.”
He ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. “Mira, I don’t know if I can do this. You’re asking too much of me.”
I sighed, running my hands through my hair. “Fine,” I said softly, my voice barely audible. “I’ll try to give you what you want.”
Killian froze, his dark eyes wide with disbelief. “What?” he whispered, as though he wasn’t sure he had heard me right.
Instead of answering, I stepped closer, closing the space between us. My heart was pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it. His gaze softened, and I could see the hope flickering there. Without overthinking, I reached up and kissed him.
At first, the kiss was soft. I was testing the waters. But when his lips moved against mine, responding with warmth and a hint of desperation, I felt my hesitation begin to fade. His hands rose tentatively to my waist, holding me as though he was afraid I might pull away.
When I broke the kiss, I didn’t step back. Instead, I reached for the buttons of his shirt. His breath hitched as I worked them open one by one, exposing his chest. “Mira,” he said, his voice strained, but I silenced him with a quick kiss.
“Just let me do this,” I whispered.
Once his shirt was undone, I slid it off his shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. I leaned in and pressed my lips
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to the curve of his throat, feeling the rapid beat of his pulse beneath my lips. His breath hitched again, and his grip on my waist tightened ever so slightly.
“I mean it, Killian,” I murmured against his skin. “I’ll try. But you have to be patient with me.”
His voice was low and rough when he replied, “I’ll wait, Mira. For as long as it takes.”
For a moment, everything else faded away. It was just the two of us, standing in the dim light of his room, trying to bridge the gap that had always seemed so wide. Maybe this time, we would figure out how to meet
in the middle.
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