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Cora slowly shook her head, shutting her eyes It all seeht in those terhost She loved hi there for him when he needed it, too

What would happen if her feelings were exposed? If she had to point out how sad he still was? At work, she’d seen people crumble when faced with hard truths She didn’t want that for Aidan Besides, a small part of her still had hope Maybe one day, past the pain, he’d see her in front of hi him

He’d finally find closure with Lily andhe colanced at Presley, who had shifted closer, her knees pressing against Cora’s “I know that’s hard to understand You’ve never had an uncommitted D/s relationship” Heaviness filled her liet e need from each other”

Presley scratched at her cheek with pinched lips “Okay, I get that But you like Aidan, right?”

Cora loved Presley’s innocence It was the beauty in Presley In her sweet mind, everyone needed a happily-ever-after in the traditional form “Of course I think he’s nice, and yes, I like him” Even if they were best friends, she wouldn’t let Presley trap her in a conversation she didn’t want to have “But I think a lot of Doms are nice”

“Yes, exactly” Presley’s gaze hardened, her voice equally so “But you don’t play with other Doms You only play with him You deserve more than all this casual play I see how Aidan watches you I think if you said so—”

Cora’s heart raced, nearly exploding out of her chest Before she could stop herself, she snapped, “Stop it, Presley” At Presley’s twisted expression, Cora’s stoh Shit, I’ ers around Presley’s claht “Please leave this alone The way things are ood” Her body weakened and she was da down “Promise me you won’t talk about this to anyone else”

Everything would change, and that cannot happen

I need him

He needs me

Those demons … he can’t face that yet

At whatever crossed Cora’s expression, Presley’s eyebrows shot up into her hairline “Okay, okay, I promise I didn’t mean to upset you And we don’t have to talk about it and I won’t say anything”

Cora blew out a long breath, and considering how the world spun around her, she didn’t want to knohat she looked like to cause Presley’s surprise Inside she was a juht of the future if this secret ca with Aidan would cease, but she didn’t want Aidan to remember his pain, she wanted him happy

It had taken her a year to see an honest s awaythe dark hurt in his eyes Aidan was reat loss, and Cora did not want to make it worse She shut her eyes and focused inward

This, too, will pass