Ciara's POV
I raised my hand defensively as I kept running. "Don't touch me. Don't touch me, Dante, I'm warning you!"
"Ciara, please," I heard Vulcan say, overlapping with Dante's words as they both pleaded with me.
I rolled my eyes, frustration rising. "Please, you guys, stay away from me. You're both hurting me. I don't want to do this anymore." Tears filled my eyes, blurring my vision, and I could barely run. I was exhausted—mentally, physically.
Dante seized the moment to grab me, pinning me in place. I struggled weakly but had no strength left to resist. "Please, Ciara. Don't do this."
"Don't do what, exactly? All this time you knew Vulcan? I asked you over and over, Dante, and you denied it every single time!" My voice cracked, raspy from the strain.
"I did... but how could I have told you? I knew I'd lose you."
I wiped my eyes roughly, trying hard to steady my voice. "Well, you've lost me now."
