The Heart That Always Betrayed Me

Chapter Forty Three: The Heart That Almost Betrayed Me

Selene’s POV

The knock on the door nearly stopped my heart.

Without thinking, I grabbed Ronan’s arm and dragged him toward the bed.

“Hide,” I whispered in panic. “Please, just hide!”

He didn’t argue. He ducked and crawled under the bed just as I rushed to smooth the sheets and calm my breathing.

The knock came again—louder this time.

My hands trembled as I reached for the door. I opened it slowly.

Evric stood there, tall and sharp-eyed, like a shadow I couldn’t escape. His eyes scanned me—slowly, carefully.

“Is everything alright?” he asked, his tone calm but strange.

I nodded too fast. “Yes. I was just… resting.”

His eyes narrowed slightly. “Your breathing,” he said. “You seem nervous.”

I laughed, but it sounded fake. “I—I had a nightmare.”

Evric didn’t smile. He walked in without being invited.

My heart dropped.

I wanted to scream. Every step he took inside that room felt like thunder. I could hear Ronan’s slow, careful breathing beneath the bed.

Evric stood by the window, hands clasped behind his back. “You’re very quiet these days.”

I said nothing.

“Is it because of me?” he turned to face me, his voice softer now. “You’re afraid of me, aren’t you?”

I didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t lie—not well.

But I couldn’t tell the truth either.

“I’m just confused,” I whispered.

“About what?” he asked, taking a step closer.

Everything. About you. About Ronan. About why everyone suddenly looks at me like I’m a stranger.

But I said, “I don’t know.”

Evric came closer, stood in front of me. His presence was heavy, and I could feel how tightly I was holding myself together.

Then something made my stomach twist—he sat on the bed.

Right on the edge.

I felt my blood drain.

Oh no…

He looked at the floor, then his eyes slowly drifted to mine. “You smell different.”

My throat closed.

“Maybe it’s the herbs you’ve been given,” he added, voice unreadable. “Or maybe…”

He didn’t finish the sentence. He leaned back, one hand pressing into the bed.

A sharp breath escaped me.

Please don’t lean further. Please don’t look under…

Evric stared at me. A strange look passed over his face. Pain. Doubt. Anger. I wasn’t sure.

“You know,” he said quietly, “someone came to see me regarding you, Someone from your past.”

I blinked. My chest tightened.

Was he talking about Ronan?

Did he know?

“Who?” I asked, my voice nearly cracking.

But he only smiled faintly. “Doesn’t matter. But after that visit, I started seeing things differently.”

He stood again and walked slowly to the window. He looked out into the night sky, silent for a moment.

“Selene,” he said finally, “I don’t know who you truly are. And maybe you don’t either. But I need to believe you’re not like… them.”

I swallowed hard. “I’m not.”

His back was still turned to me. “Then don’t lie to me. That’s all I ask.”

I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me.

He turned around again and walked toward the door. My knees nearly gave way when he placed his hand on the knob. But just before he opened it, he looked back at me.

His eyes were dark. “Be careful who you trust, Selene.”

And then… he left.

The door clicked shut. And the silence that followed was louder than anything I’d ever heard.

I fell to the floor. My hands shook as I lifted the bed sheet.

“Ronan…”

He crawled out, his face pale, shirt soaked with sweat.

“That was close,” he whispered, still breathing hard.

I nodded, tears falling without warning.

“He knows something,” I said. “He doesn’t know it all, but… he’s suspicious.”

Ronan pulled me into his arms. “That’s why I came. Selene, Sasha… she came to him. She’s already poisoned his mind. You have to leave this place.”

I looked at him, wide-eyed.

“What?”

“She met with Evric,” he said, voice bitter. “I heard them. I was nearby when she arrived. I came here the moment I realized what she was planning.”

I felt dizzy. “That’s why everyone’s changed toward me. That’s why I feel like… I’m being watched.”

He held me tighter. “You’re not safe here anymore.”

A tear slid down my cheek. I didn’t wipe it away.

“I thought… maybe I could change things. Maybe they would see I wasn’t the enemy.”

Ronan shook his head. “They won’t. Not when Sasha is pulling the strings.”

I stared at the door, my chest full of dread.

Maybe I was never meant to stay here. Maybe the only safe place now… was wherever Ronan took me.

But I also knew—running wouldn’t be easy.

Especially not now.