Bound By A Broken Night novel Chapter 120

Chapter 120

“No,” she said quickly, though a small grin slipped through her embarrassment.

“I’m stating a fact.” She scratched the back of her head, looking both apologetic and helpless.

“Even if you stood completely naked in front of me,” she added honestly, “I still wouldn’t feel anything.”

The words hung in the air. Zandrie went quiet. He didn’t move.

Then.

“What if we get a divorce?” Zandrie said after a long stretch of silence. 1

“So other men can finally approach you.”

Cassie blinked at him, then immediately rolled her eyes.

“Zandrie Wallace, I don’t have time for that,” she said in exasperation.

“If I ever needed a man, I would just choose you.” She crossed her arms, her tone turning matter–of–fact.

“And if you, of all people, can’t move my heart… then what chance do you think other men would have?”

Zandrie stared at her. Really stared.

As if the weight of her words had just settled into place, rearranging something in his mind.

Then, after a moment, he smiled. This time, it wasn’t bitter. It wasn’t teasing.

It was genuine. Bright. Almost relieved.

“Then you already have your answer, Cassie.”

She frowned immediately.

“Answer? For what?”

He shook his head slightly, still smiling.

“That no matter what the world offers you,” he said gently, “your heart has only ever belonged to one person.”

The meaning hit her a second later. Her expression stiffened.

“Despite everything Ashton Pierce did… despite the betrayal… you still love him,” Zandrie continued calmly.

“And no one–not even me—has been able to make you waver.”

Cassie’s lips parted, but no words came out.

“You’ve already heard his explanation,” he went on.

“Now both your heart and your mind need to weigh it. Not your pride. Not your anger. Just the truth.”

His voice softened.

“It’s been six years, Cass. Six years. And even after all that time… you still gave yourself to him without hesitation.”

He looked at her meaningfully.

“That was before you even heard his reasons.”

Her chest tightened.

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Chapter 120

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“You have more reasons now to face what you really feel,” he added.

“Only then can you move forward.”

Apause.

“And Kai deserves answers too. The ones you’ve been avoiding for years.”

He reached out and gave her shoulder a light, reassuring pat.

Cassie stared at him, completely caught off guard. She hadn’t seen this coming. Not the confession. Not the shift. Not the quiet clarity he was handing back to her.

As if reading her thoughts, Zandrie chuckled softly.

“Don’t misunderstand,” he said.

“What I told you earlier was real. I did love you. Maybe I still do.” His expression softened.

“But I accepted a long time ago that I would never be your choice.” He shrugged lightly.

“So I chose a role where I wouldn’t lose you.” A small, warm smile followed.

“If being your brother is the only place I’m allowed in your life… then I’ll stay there.” His eyes held hers steadily.

“And as your brother,” Zandrie said after a quiet moment, his gaze steady and sincere, “I have one piece of advice for you.” ↑

Silence settled between them again, but this time it wasn’t heavy. It was calm–like the pause before something important was finally said.

“It’s been six years, Cass,” he continued gently.

“Six years of carrying the same pain, the same anger, the same questions.” His voice softened. 1

“Free yourself from that night. From the nightmare you’ve been living in ever since.”

Cassie’s fingers tightened slightly at her sides.

“Ashton’s way may have been cruel,” Zandrie admitted.

“Brutal, even. And I won’t defend what he did.”

He reached out and lightly patted her head, the gesture simple and familiar–like an older brother comforting a stubborn younger sister.

“But one thing is clear,” he added quietly.

“Everything he did… he did because he believed it was the only way to protect you. Because, in his own flawed way, he was thinking about what was best for you.”

Cassie lowered her gaze, her chest tightening.

“You’ve been running from that night,” Zandrie went on.

“From what you felt. From what it meant. From what you lost.” A small, gentle smile touched his lips.

“But you can’t run from your heart, Cass. No matter how far you go, it always leads you back to the same place.” His hand fell

back to his side.

“You’re still bound to that night,” he said softly.

“Not just because it broke you…” His eyes warmed.

Chapter 120

“But because it also revealed what your heart has never been able to let go.”

****tbc**