Chapter 80

LYDIA’S POV

The proposal didn’t sit right with me. Not even a little. It felt like a gilded cage, one I didn't want to get trapped in again.

I stared at him like he had just offered me another cage, just dressed in gold this time. “I can’t,” I said quietly, shaking my head. “I won’t do this.”

His expression didn’t change.

“I’m not going to be someone’s responsibility again,” I continued, my voice