Twisted Fixation

『 Chapter 23 』

Cassius smiled sweetly, as if he were really glad to see her. His eyes twinkled with warmth, reflecting a genuine joy that radiated from within. The corners of his lips curled upward, forming a gentle arc that conveyed a sense of sincere happiness.

On the other hand, Yuri's face remained passive. After how things ended between them three years ago, the last thing she expected was to see him again. But perhaps, fate had a twisted sense of humor.

"I did not expect to run into you here. Do you already live around the area?" Cassius started. She raised a brow at that.

"It's been a while," she said quietly as the memories of the past came rushing back.

It's not as if there are any romantic feelings that still linger within her. She had long moved on from that chapter of her life, burying the emotions deep within her. Yet his nonchalant demeanor ignited a dormant anger within her.

Seeing him right now smiling in front of her, faced with his casual indifference, she couldn't help but wonder if he ever truly understood the pain of what he did during the time she needed him the most.

Her tone might have struck Cassius as being cold, as his smile abruptly vanished.

"Uhm, I am sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I know I am not supposed to talk to you ever again, but when I saw you last time at the precinct, I got excited, and before I could think of anything else, I was already on my feet and running towards the door, although you disappeared fast."

She refused to let him see how deeply he had affected her. Instead, she mustered all the composure she could find and met his gaze with a steely resolve. She crossed her arms and tilted her head to the side.

"As you can see, I am perfectly fine, so fuck off. Did you expect that I would not be able to make it alone without you?"

A pain crossed his face, but she couldn't care less about that right now. She was not the same woman who would put him before her. The weight of having to face tomorrow alone after spending six years with the person she thought would stay by her side until the end no longer burdened her.

She had discovered her own strength and resilience, realizing that she was capable of thriving on her own.

"I have no words to justify what I did to you. I am deeply remorseful for my actions and the pain I have caused you. It was thoughtless and selfish of me that I did not even consider the things that you have done for me. I left you during the time you needed me the most."

She smirked at that. "And? What now? Is your apology going to change anything?"

"I know it would not suffice. My sincerest apologies cannot erase the pain, but please know that there's not a day that I do not regret what happened. I can only hope that you find it in your heart to forgive me, although I know I don't deserve it."

Yuri walked towards Cassius until their faces are only a few inches away from each other. She put a hand on his shoulder and clutched it tightly.

"I find it more comforting not to forgive you. I truly hope that this will be the last time that you are going to appear in front of me because the next time you do, there's no way to tell what I could do to you. Consider this my first and last warning."

Cassius felt a shiver run down his spine as Yuri's words hung in the air. He had never seen her so resolute; her eyes were filled with anger and determination. It's as if the weight of her hand on his shoulder was both a physical and metaphorical reminder of the consequences that awaited him if he ever crossed her again.

As Yuri released her grip, Cassius took a step back, his mind racing with regret and remorse. They stood there in silence, the tension between them palpable.