CHAPTER 10

(SHEILA’S POV)

"Move, Orion," I demanded calmly, hiding my frustration and desperation behind a mask of composure.

Orion stood still in his spot, his tired gaze locked with mine. He seemed adamant about not moving, seeking clarification for my words. "You said about ‘holding me back’, for what exactly?" Orion questioned, his tone tinged with exasperation. "You hold me back for nothing, Sheila."

I opened my mouth to answer, but I couldn’t rebut with anything. His words hit me like a blow, and for a moment, I faltered. Did I truly hold him back for nothing? In a millisecond, I could feel Orion’s sincerity, yet the very next millisecond, I pondered about it. There was this nagging feeling that forcefully pulled my attention towards distrust. A reminder of Orion staying out of a sense of obligation, that he felt sorry for my fragile state of mind and was merely trying to appease his guilt, kept popping up.

My mind spiraled back to my earlier encounter with Nova. The dimly lit room seemed