ce between them stretched, thickening in the air like a smothering fog. The weight of his presence

ements were deliberate, measured, and Lena could feel her heartbeat quicken in response. She wanted

out you, Lena." He paused, letting the words hang between them. "What's it like, being the last

sk the growing unease gnawing at her insides. "I'm not a piece of property to be pass

with something that sent a chill down her spine. "You're so much more than a bar

fury and fear. She wanted to scream at him, tell him he was wrong, that she woul

her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. "I see the fight in you. It's what makes this all the more interesting. But don't think

ice, the control he wielded, made her feel smaller than she ever had before. He wa

said, her voice barely above a whisp

need you to give in, Lena," he said, his voice smooth and cold. "I just need you to understand that the

s eyes. It wasn't quite pity, but it was close. Lena caught it just for an inst

k with a slow, deliberate movement. "And don't th

scream, to run, to do anything to escape this suffocating reality, but she knew deep

till a mask of professionalism, but there was something in his eyes-an almost impercepti

tension in the room, "we must prepare for the meetin

f the entire conversation had been nothing more than a passing distraction. "But

't know how much more of this she could take. But one thing was certain: the storm that had sta

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