Chapter 71. Call Me Heartless

Author's POV

Adeline’s breathing was uneven, her heart pounding in her chest as reality sank in.

The warmth of Luciano’s lips still lingered on hers, the taste of him still fresh, but instead of comfort, it brought a suffocating weight pressing down on her.

She stepped back, blinking rapidly, trying to ground herself, but her vision blurred as unshed tears welled in her eyes.

Luciano noticed the shift immediately. His hands, still hovering near her waist, twitched as if aching to hold her again, but something in her expression stopped him. His brows furrowed, his dark eyes scanning her face with growing concern.

“Adeline?”

His voice was softer now, laced with confusion.

“What’s wrong?”

She let out a shaky breath, shaking her head as if trying to rid herself of the emotions clawing at her chest.

Her fingers curled into fists at her sides, her body stiff with restraint.

Luciano took a step closer.”Talk to me,” he