Ivan's eyes dropped to where Axel and Dallas were still holding hands.
Dallas could feel how fast Axel's heart was racing through their contact, the beat uneven and frantic. Seeing Axel like that made something twist painfully in his chest.
"Is this your final decision?" Ivan asked.
This time, he didn't sound out of control like earlier. His voice was low and restrained, as if he were forcing himself to stay calm.
"No," Axel answered.
But even as he said it, he didn't let go of Dallas's hand. If anything, his grip tightened slightly, as if he were holding on to it just to keep himself from falling apart rather than because he had truly made a choice.
"It's not a decision," Axel continued, his voice strained. "Because I can't choose."
He took a shaky breath before going on.
"Because I'm in love with both of you."
The words hung heavily in the air.
"You can see me however you want for saying that, but it's the truth. I didn't ask for things to happen this way, but they did."
