in my head, giving me a weird, oppressive cold. My breath is shallow, and my feet

s block the escape as he stands at the door. Every mo

I should feel calmed by his words, but they make me feel worse.

cu

. The house seems excessively large and chilly. Bu

cape still makes my heart race, but now I'm bothered by something else. the sensa

lows me into the large entryway. There is nothing m

as well as protection. The way he observes me, the silence that envelops us, and t

ne, he reiterates, "You'll s

because I have no other option or

behind me feels like a wall separating me from

? Is this cage

trying to determine whether I've entered a di

, including every nook and cranny, piece of furniture, and air whisper. I feel

yes follow me, never straying from my bod

icipated feeling reli

ght have been solace or comfort. Rather, I feel

but he's always there, watching

whether his gaze is one

ce. You're secure. His next remarks are rougher and more possessive as he stops, his ja

from the wa

elf, I say, "I don't

flickers across Luca's face

there's a finality to the statement that m

hest and nod. I must maintain my distan

ls around me. This protection's

estion whether the

a haze of tense dialogue and quie

ubtle a look here, a long pause there. However, it

s wanted or worn. Additionally, it simu

though I'm traversing a maze that he created, where each step tak

uite put my finger on-when I meet his e

, I find myself

he sits by the fireplace today. The chill that appears

my heart is beating mor

is hand a

rief. My throat tightens every breath. I stare down

ough resisting the impulse

ice is no more than a

can feel his intense, poss

k off. I sho

er, I

ng there, torn between terror

ngly possessive. I initially assumed it was merely a protecti

ving, whenever I attempt

nstantly

g me, his eyes never leaving

oice, "You don't need anyone else," but t

ssured by the wor

elpless like a child. Every day, this

"I won't let anyone take you from me, Isabella." He moves in clo

out of my lungs like chain

g trouble

im away, even

His power was

fense? Or

at has descended upon the house by

nothing new to

isn't quiet. I

pen the door. Before I ever touch it, the air

t's inside wit

heless

severed animal staring back at me with lifel

one is yours," is the strai

it, my bloo

on is obvious. H

my fingers are shaking a

he only goal of her safety. The g

nobody takes her away fr