The Messenger( Iva) novel Chapter 160

Long Overdue Discussion II-1

Iva’s words did not just reach Caleb.. they struck him.

Hard.

Claim

For a long moment, he remained completely still, his body tense, his breath shallow, his mind replaying every single word she had thrown at him with brutal clarity, stripping away every excuse he had been hiding behind, every layer of pride and control he had built over the years.

Because she was right.

Every single word.

A bitter realization settled deep in his chest, heavy and unavoidable, as he finally allowed himself to see it from her perspective, not as a crown prince, not as a future king, not as a man trained to question everything and everyone-but as a mate.

As her mate.

And what he saw… he did not like.

An entitled prick.

The thought hit him like a punch, and for once, he did not try to deny it.

Yes, the black magic had clouded his judgment, had amplified his distance, his coldness, his suspicion… but it did not create those traits from nothing.

They were already there.

Buried deep.

Learned.

Conditioned.

His past… his upbringing… his fears…

They had shaped him into someone who kept distance as protection, who questioned sincerity as instinct, who withheld as a form of control.

And in doing so…

He almost lost the one person who was never fake.

His mate.

The one the Goddess had given him.

Caleb exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair, the tension in his shoulders easing just slightly as remorse crept in, sharp and unfamiliar, yet undeniable.

Across from him, Iva stood still, watching him carefully, her chest rising and falling as she tried to steady

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Long Overdue Discussion II 1

her breathing, but inside… Avalon was restless.

Agitated.

Torn.

Iva pressed her lips together slightly before speaking softly in her mind.

“I hope I didn’t push it too hard…”

Avalon’s response came instantly, firm despite the turmoil.

“Don’t overthink it, Iva. If we are to be his mate, to rule together, we need his respect… and to be treated properly. Otherwise, this will never work.”

Claim

Iva swallowed, grounding herself in those words, holding onto that fragile thread of clarity as she lifted her gaze back to Caleb.

He looked… different.

Not weaker.

But more real.

More… exposed.

Caleb took a long breath, his eyes locking onto hers again, and this time there was no arrogance in them, no sharp edge meant to dominate or control.

Only truth.

And something else.

Something dangerously close to regret.

“You’re right.”

The words were quiet.

But they carried weight.

Iva blinked, caught off guard.

“I didn’t…” he paused briefly, choosing his words carefully, something he was clearly not used to doing in this way, “….I didn’t handle this right.”

That alone was enough to make her heart stutter.

Caleb straightened slightly, his voice steadying as he continued, deciding-finally-to stop holding back.

“To be honest… I don’t think I even knew how to.”

Her brows knit slightly, confusion flickering across her face, but she stayed silent, letting him speak.

“All my life,” he began, his tone lower now, more introspective, “I was raised under constant scrutiny, under expectations that most people will never understand. Being the only heir to the throne comes with

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Long Overdue Discussion || 1

privileges, yes… but also with pressure that never leaves you.”

He let out a faint, humorless breath.

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