Chapter 334

After a while, Riyana pulled back slightly. She wiped her face with the back of her hand, embarrassed. “Don’t look at me like that,” she muttered. “Like what?” “Like you understand me,” she said. “You don’t.” Jabco met her eyes. “Maybe not fully. But I’m trying. And you keep shutting the door before I can even knock." Her lips trembled, but she didn’t look away lolthis time. “Because every time I open it, I feel like I’m losing myself.” That hit him harder than her shouting earlier. He leaned back in his seat, giving her space, but his gaze stayed on her. “Then tell me what you need. Not what you think I want. What you need.” Riyana stared out the window again, the lights from the restaurant blurring through her watery eyes. After a long silence, she spoke softly. “Just… don’t cage me,” she said. “Stay if you want. But don’t hold so tight that I can’t breathe.” Jabco nodded once. “Alright.” Cristo glanced at them through the mirror, unsure. Jabco finally said, “We’ll eat here.” Riyana