?Chapter 358:

“I’ve had a lot of time to think,” she began. “And I realize now that I let my bitterness consume me. I wanted to hurt you, Ryder. I wanted to make you feel the pain I felt, to make you understand what you took from me. And in doing that, I dragged Jasmine into something she didn’t deserve.”

Hearing her admit that sparked a flicker of something unfamiliar. It wasn’t forgiveness—not yet—but it was softer than the anger I had carried since her betrayal.

“I owe her an apology,” she continued, her voice trembling slightly. “I let my hatred for you blind me, and I didn’t stop to think about the coteral damage. Jasmine… she’s innocent in all of this. She didn’t deserve what I did to her. And for that, I’m sorry.”

I studied her, searching for any sign of maniption, any hint that this was some kind of ploy. But all I saw was sincerity—and regret.

“Why now?” I asked, my voice low. “Why apologize now, after everything you’ve done?”

She took a deep breath, steadying herself. “Because I’ve been sitting in this cell, thinking about everything. About the choices I made, the things I said, the person I’ve be. And I realized that this isn’t who I want to be. I don’t want to be the viin in someone else’s story. Especially not in Jasmine’s.”

Her words hung in the air, heavy and raw. I wanted to believe her, to ept her apology at face value, but the wounds she had caused were still fresh, still bleeding.

“I know I can’t undo what I’ve done,” she said quietly. “I can’t take back the pain I caused. But I want to try to make it right. Even if it’s just a small step. Even if it’s just an apology.”

Her voice cracked, and for a moment, I saw a glimpse of the Isabelle I used to know. The one who had been by my side when I needed someone most. The one I thought I could trust.

“Do you really mean it?” I asked, my voice softer now.

“Yes,” she said, her eyes meeting mine. “I mean it. I’m sorry, Ryder. For everything. For hurting Jasmine, for trying to hurt you. I just… I don’t want to carry this bitterness anymore.”

I didn’t know what to say. Forgiveness wasn’t something I could offer—not yet. But I could see the sincerity in her eyes, the weight of her regret pressing down on her like a physical thing.

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“I don’t know if Jasmine will forgive you,” I said finally. “But I’ll tell her what you said.”

It wasn’t much, but it was the truth.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

I nodded, turning to leave. But just before I stepped through the door, I hesitated, ncing back at her.

“For what it’s worth,” I said quietly, “I hope you find peace, Isabelle.”

Her eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, I thought I saw tears glistening there. But I didn’t wait to see if they fell. I walked away, the heavy iron door closing behind me with a finality that echoed through the hall.

I made my way back to Jasmine, my mind racing with everything Isabelle had said. I wasn’t sure what Jasmine would think, or if she would even want to hear Isabelle’s apology. But it wasn’t my decision to make.

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