pte

LA

ne that got me

ke something alive, heavy and impo

louder than any noise. My eyes stayed on him, refusing to look away t

rder against the leather, the faint strain in his knuckles, the slight tension in his jaw as

ike something inside him was trying t

ch to him? I swallowed slowly, my fingers pressin

yya

ently. My body lunged forward, a sharp gasp escaping my lips as the

s the sudden force sent a wave of shock through me

rld outside seemed distant. My breathing turned uneven, my ch

ha

ut

ld, harsh, and absolute. Slowly... I turned my

ghter than before, his shoulders tense, his entire b

said, his voice lower n

know what you

ath it... something darker moved. I didn't respon

" he continued, finally turning his head slightly

will y

pa

mm

n that sound. Something bitte

want the

dier than I expected. His expression shi

he said

want to kno

ightly, but there

ne that go

le

ap

ontains something deeper resentment and frustration. Like

sted, a strange mix of relief, confusion

I

wha

rm the next word. His head turned fully this time

now?" he continued, hi

grat

logi

ng me trouble, and for

than the last. My finger

prison cost me?" he added. His voice dropp

e name I worked so hard to bu

ake, just to get you

kno

he words cam

shut

wheel tightened again,

he said, his voice

used.

egre

flat. But they hit ha

istening to

inside m

left you wher

d toward me again

hat p

ave let you

ad, sharp and cruel, cutting deeper than I expected. I look

he continued, his ton

you out if not for my parents?"

my mother...

ord settled hea

ould do it for you?" he

e a bet

ingered be

forgotten w

inside m

oug

d. Not loud. But steady, It cut through

against my lap as I forced myself to stay calm. Bec

a lot to get me out," I said

I ask you

before I could stop t

s voice low, disbel

d, meeting his

heard

ing faster. But I

me out of prison," I

reciat

d. No ma

give you the rig

all

forced yo

nce.

rt, hollow s

t...

g his head once as if he couldn

st save a

curled

Alla

ut a dry

elped you when you

red a

see i

es dar

our ex-husband a

ght p

cle's fa

slower this time.

ayed

rs curle

ed against y

felt lik

eserve

ped slightly

pain rose

ice shifting slightly, quie

u regr

locked

g up with me... to be

wer

u regr