For Me,There Is Only You |18+|

33. The Aftermath

When you feel lonely inside, you crave someone's love for your entire life.

But sometimes, that same love starts to feel like a burden when you're not ready to accept it.

It was something similar for me; the more I thought about his feelings and his love for me, the more it started suffocating me.

It felt like a weight pressing down on my chest, making it hard to breathe.

My heart was racing, not from excitement or affection, but from anxiety and fear. I felt trapped in a web of emotions that were no longer welcome, and every attempt to untangle myself only seemed to tighten the threads.

I needed to escape from his grip before I lost myself completely.

I never thought I would feel so relieved to see this three-story house, but at that moment, I did.

The familiar sight of it brought a sense of comfort and peace that I desperately needed.

As I stepped out of the car, I didn't wait for the others. My legs trembled slightly, a mix of exhaustion and anticipation.

I started walking towards the house, my eyes slowly scanning the meticulously arranged flower beds in the front yard. The vibrant colors and variety of blooms caught my attention, each one carefully chosen and planted.

Kyler's words from earlier echoed in my mind.

I never really gave it much thought, even after countless walks around the yard. My mind was always occupied with more pressing matters. But now, an uneasy feeling settled in my chest as I approached the main door.

Those flowers—they were the same ones I had at my place. Every petal and leaf mirrored the garden I had tended to for years.

Ansel had recreated a piece of my home here.

The familiar surroundings suddenly felt different, each step amplifying my anxiety. It was as if the flowers, so carefully chosen and planted, were now silent witnesses to my turmoil.

I couldn't shake the feeling that I was running—not just from my thoughts, but from Ansel, who followed silently two steps behind me.

I needed to put some space between us. The urge to get away from him grew stronger, so I quickened my pace.

Ascending the stairs hurriedly, I reached the top floor and walked briskly down the silent hallway. The quiet seemed to amplify every step I took.

Suddenly, Ansel's hand caught my wrist, stopping me in my tracks.

My heart jumped at his sudden touch, but I forced myself to keep a stoic expression as I turned to look at him questioningly.

"Where are you going, amina?" he asked, his sapphire eyes searching my face intently.

"To my room,"

He furrowed his brows. "Our room is here," he said, gesturing towards the door to our left, right where we were standing.

"This is your room, not mine," I replied in a monotone voice.

I had stopped sleeping in his room after the incident. I had asked Ezra for a room downstairs, but he refused, saying others would notice. Instead, he let me have an empty room on this floor at the end of the hallway. It was right next to his.

Ansel's face fell, and his eyes filled with a mixture of regret and pleading. "Neev..." he whispered, his voice softening. "He won't come out."

"You said that last time too," I replied sharply, my voice cutting through the silence. "You still remember what happened after that, right?"