Bonds at War: The Untouched is Mine novel Chapter 275

Chapter 275 No Regrets

Chapter 275 No Regrets

TESSA

“No.” Rowan whispered by my side, his voice breaking in the process.

I turned my head toward him, and for a

love again when I thought I’d s

eyes

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, I could only sec him. The man who taught me how to

Rowan looked utterly destroyed, his and jaw tight with desperation. I wanted to collapse into his arms, to tell him we’d run away from all fight every war. However, it

wasn’t.

for this, that love should be enough t

As I looked back at Arden, her stomach rising with the fragile life inside her, I felt my decision carve itself

into stone.

It wasn’t because I didn’t love Rowan. In fact, I loved him so much that my chest felt too small to contain it. But I couldn’t let that love chain me into selfishness. I couldn’t let my fear of losing him–or of him losing me–cost Arden her life. Or her baby’s.

Arden had been there for me four years ago, when Mr. Winters captured me and stripped me of every ounce of hope. She had stormed into the fire without hesitation, disregarding her safety to save mine. If she hadn’t done that… I might not even be standing here today.

How could I not do the same for her?

“Let her go,” I said.

Rowan’s head whipped toward me. “No, Tessa,” he said, his voice trembling with a pain I couldn’t bear to hear.

I could feel the others‘ silent pleas for me to stay. However, they couldn’t say it out loud because they also wanted Arden to be safe. I knew it was also a tough decision for them, so I was going to shoulder the burden and decide on my own.

I swallowed hard and turned back to Rowan, my heart fracturing as I whispered, “Rowan, I love you.”

He shook his head furiously, his face scrunching as though my words were the most painful stimulation in the whole world. His lips parted, then closed, and for a moment he looked like the boy he once was. My Rowan. “You can’t,” he whispered. My knees buckled at the sound, but I held myself up.

“I’m okay,” I said, though we both knew it wasn’t true. “I’ll be okay.”

“I’m going with you,” he said firmly, but no less desperate.

My throat burned as I shook my head. I lifted a trembling hand and stroked his cheek, feeling the scratch of his stubble under my palm, memorizing his heat. “You can’t, my love. You need to take care of Calla. She can’t live alone.”

He pursed his lips at the mention of our daughter’s name, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. He was so close to breaking, and if he did, I feared I would too. I looked away, unable to endure it.

Cade stood across from me, looking like a man torn in two. His eyes carried both apology and gratitude,

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11:27 Mon, 29 Sept?

Chapter 275 No Regrets

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and I could feel the weight of what he wanted to say but couldn’t. I gave him a small smile and a nod that told him silently: It’s not your fault. None of this is your fault.

Around us, the others were still as conflicted. Elias stood like a statue, his hands clenched at his sides. Behind him, Dr. Ben held Dr. Ingrid as she shook, her face buried in his chest to keep herself from crying out. I knew their silence wasn’t indifference–it was helplessness.

“It’s okay,” I said again, but this time the words were meant for everyone. I wanted them to believe it, even if I didn’t. I wanted them to hold onto something other than despair.

But deep down, I knew it wasn’t okay. This was only the beginning of something darker, something more twisted than even Mr. Winters could have conjured.

Still, my purpose was clear. Arden and her baby had to live.

I turned to Azalea and Zaria, my voice firm even as my hands trembled. “Let her go.”

Azalea smirked from her throne, her cold beauty sending a shiver down her spine. Beside her, Zaria’s scowl deepened as if watching the scene before her was a chore.

“I nearly cried there,” Zaria mocked. “This is what happens when you have too much to lose! When you’re too righteous, you have to sacrifice a lot.”

“Now, come,” Azalea said smoothly, her eyes gleaming with delight before turning to Zaria and Kyle. “Let her go,” she said.

Zaria sighed dramatically, disappointed. “I thought I’d be able to scar her, at least,” she said, pertaining to Arden. “She really is too pretty for her own sake.”

I frowned at her words, wondering how she could speak in such a way when so many people were suffering. But then again, I guess this was my sister’s true colors finally resurfacing. The evil color was always there, but now, it was as clear as day.

Finally, at once, Kyle and Zaria moved to unbind Arden.

My heart hammered as Arden stumbled to her feet, her wrists red and bruised. Her eyes immediately found mine, wide with horror. “Tessa,” she whispered.

“No.” I cut her off before she could say anything more, shaking my head sharply.

She froze, her lips parting, but I forced the brightest smile I could muster. I wanted it engraved in her memory–that there was no regret in my decision, only love.

“It’s not your fault,” I told her.

Her face crumpled, but I held the smile, even a

my own heart shattered.

“Go to them,” I said, still with a small smile. “Cade is waiting for you.”

She bit her lip as tears slid down her face. She slowly walked back to Cade, who caught her in his arms, and I felt like a huge thorn was removed from my heart.

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