章節 83: The cost of closure

(Lina)

I sat on the edge of the bed, twisting the fabric of my dress between my fingers. My thoughts were full of emotions, all jumbled and impossible to untangle.

The courtroom scene replayed in my head—Nicholas standing there, admitting to everything. No fight. No blame. No cruelty. Just... acceptance.

I had been bracing myself for the worst. I was so sure he would explode, accuse me, and try to drag me down with him like Elara had done. Instead, he surprised me. He didn't lash out. He didn't deny anything. Nicholas stood there as a man resigned to his fate.

That wasn't the Nicholas I remembered from Isabella's past. The Nicholas she had fallen in love with had seemed so full of potential—charming, attentive, and kind.