sa Va

bs. Eli' s tender words to Kala, his promise of protection, echoed in my mind, each syllable twisting

e often left them in prominent places around the penthouse, a subtle, passive-aggressive remind

tering into a thousand pieces, water and crushed petals scattering across the floor like blood and torn flesh. Each shard of glass was a reflection of my broken spirit. I screamed agai

ance, perhaps even disgust, crossed his features. "Carissa," he said, his voice f

and he worried about a room? "You want to talk about destruction?" I choked ou

mall, intricately carved wooden bird. It was a griffin, its wings spread as

haps we should leave her to rest." Her gaze, however, was fixed on the shattered vase

did you get that bird?" My heart hammered against my ri

Said it reminded him of his family's crest. Isn't it exquisite?" She held it up, twirling

st anniversary, a symbol of our fierce, protective love. I had spent months on it, carefully sanding and polishing the wood, pouring my soul into e

w, dangerous growl escaping my lips.

of old trinkets. He thought it was rather common, so he gave it to me to play with. I thought it was sweet, so I kept it. But if i

espair, everything. He had considered my heartfelt gift "common." He had given it to

My hands clamped around Kala' s neck, my fingers digging into her soft flesh, a primal need to

the first time, moved with startling speed. He grabbed my wrists, yanking me away from

t to know what's out of control? Your lies! Your betray

tears. "Eli, she's trying to kill me! She's truly insane!" Her voic

ust a trinket. You're hysterical. You need to calm down." His words were like a sl

soul! And you gave it to her? And you call it nothing?!" My voice rose to a frenzied pitch.

e from Eli's grip, and lashed out wildly, my fist connecting with his

protect him, to be protected by him. My eyes, crazed with fury, spotted the shattered vase on the f

g with venom. "I'll give you destruction!" I lunged agai

ickening crunch, a flash of red, and Kala let out a bloodcurdling scream, collapsing to the f

He dropped to his knees beside Kala, his hands hovering over her injured arm, his face con

on, burst into the room. They swarmed aro

ns and a suspected fracture. She'll need immediate surgery, p

can't paint? What if I can't play piano? Eli, what if I'm scarred forever?" Her voice was filled with a genuine

oice tight with barely suppressed emotion, his gaze

evere. We're looking at extensive reconstructive surgery. And with the lacerations, there's a

in graft? Oh, Eli, no! I can't... I can't

fts come from healthy, compatible tissue. A

taking root. She turned back to Eli, her voice a soft, desperate plea. "Eli... Carissa... she's family, isn't she? We have the same blood t

physical weight in the air. "She's already done enough damage," he said, his voice flat, devoid of emo

weight. "It's highly unethical, Mr. Drake. We c

your latest outburst, for all the trouble you've caused. For everything." His voice was a whip, lashing out, cutting deep. "D

"No!," I spat, defiance still burning within me,

re you, Carissa. I can. You are my wife. And you will do as I say."

vision blurred as I was dragged away, Eli's cold, triumphant gaze the last thing I saw before a sharp prick in my arm, and then,