Chapter 157. The End

LEO

When the loudmouth finally left, Charlotte suddenly turned to me and stepped into my arms.

She hugged me like she’d been holding herself together by sheer will—and finally let go.

I smiled softly as she pressed her face into my chest, her fingers gripping the back of my shirt.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “If you hadn’t come when you did… I don’t know what would’ve happened.”

My throat tightened.

I wrapped my arms around her, careful not to squeeze too hard, one hand resting protectively between her shoulders.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured. “I gave room for this. If only I had been in this room, he wouldn’t have gone that far—or even been here in the first place.”

She pulled back slightly, her lashes wet, her lips trembling.

“And… I’m sorry,” she said softly. “For earlier. For not trusting you. For pushing you away when all you wanted was to protect me.”

I kissed her forehead.

“I’m sorry too. I reacte