The Messenger( Iva) novel Chapter 159

Long Overdue Discussion 1-2

Caleb still stood close, his hand braced against the wall beside her, his presence overwhelming, his gaze locked onto hers with an intensity that made it impossible to look away, while Iva’s chest rose and fell unevenly, her heart hammering as if it wanted to break free from her ribs.

This time… there was no running.

No silence.

No distance to hide behind.

“You really want to know?” she asked quietly.

“Iva… start talking…”

The answer came without hesitation.

Firm.

Demanding.

Real.

Iva took a slow breath, her chest tightening as she gathered the courage to finally say it, to finally put into words everything that had been eating at her.

“I didn’t want to stay in your way,” she said, her voice soft at first, but gaining strength as she continued, each word carefully chosen yet heavy with emotion. “And I can’t… I won’t be a dirty little secret for someone, even if he is my fated mate.”

Caleb’s brows furrowed instantly, confusion flashing across his face.

“A what? I don’t follow…”

She held his gaze, even as her heart twisted painfully.

“I met your fiancée… Sonia.”

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For a split second, something dark flickered in his eyes, a realization dawning, a silent curse forming behind his clenched jaw, but he masked it quickly, his expression hardening as he focused back on her.

“And you believed her?” he asked, his tone sharp, incredulous. “You believed any woman who walks in and calls herself my fiancée without even checking with me first?”

The words hit her harder than she expected.

Iva blinked, caught off guard, her confidence faltering for the first time as doubt crept in, unwanted and uncomfortable.

Did she… overreact? Was the girl lying?

Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out immediately, her thoughts scrambling, her certainty cracking just enough to make her hesitate.

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<Long Overdue Brssucston | 2

But Caleb didn’t stop.

His frustration only grew.

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“Iva,” he continued, his voice rising slightly, his hand pressing harder against the wall as if he needed the support to contain himself, know we started in a strange way, and yes, we are still building trust between us, but you could have talked to me instead of just taking off like that.”

His eyes burned into hers.

“Do you have any idea how I felt when I came back and you were gone?”

That did it.

Guilt surged through her, hot and suffocating, her face flushing as she looked at him, truly looked at him now, noticing the tension in his features, the exhaustion hidden beneath his composed exterior and she could feel his anguish in their bond.

But still-

She couldn’t let it go that easily.

“So… that girl is not your fiancée?” she asked, her voice quieter now, but still firm. “Then who is she?”

Caleb’s expression darkened instantly.

“An impostor.”

The word landed like a thunderclap.

Iva froze.

Everything inside her seemed to tilt, her thoughts spinning wildly as realization hit her full force, her stomach dropping as the pieces fell into place.

An impostor.

Meaning…

She messed up.

Badly. She let the past guide her actions.

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Her breath hitched, her mind reeling, embarrassment and regret crashing into her all at once, making her feel small, foolish, exposed.

But even then… a part of her pushed back.

“And how was I supposed to know that?” she demanded, her voice rising slightly again, defensive now, trying to hold onto some ground. “She walked to your penthouse like she owned the place, Caleb. She knew who you were, she spoke like it was all settled-what was I supposed to think?”

“By talking to me!” he shot back immediately, his patience snapping, his voice sharp and frustrated.

And that-

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Long Overdue Orsaursion 12

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