Amelia stopped dead in her tracks upon seeing Sergio blocking her path. Their eyes met again, but this time, she didn't see the confusion and disappointment from before.

What she saw was a mixture of desperation and determination—a combination that disarmed her even further. Sergio's words echoed in her mind, but her survival instinct screamed at her to flee, to get away from anything that could cause her pain.

"I'm sorry for all of this. I see now that agreeing to marry you was a mistake. I am