"cut from the same cloth" - their story.

Chapter 13 - no

an - two uploads in one day?? feeling a bit fancy here eh? 

also trying to get back into the habit of writing, don't come for me!

Charlotte shrank back, her whole body trembling with fear and memories that clawed at her resolve. She felt paralyzed, caught between the terror of the past and the uncertain chaos unfolding before her.

Mia stepped forward, her voice cutting through the charged atmosphere. "She doesn't want to see you. You need to leave. Now."

He ignored Mia again, taking a step closer to Charlotte. "You're mine, Charlotte. You belong with me," he insisted, his voice growing more desperate, more threatening.

"No!" Charlotte cried out, finding her voice through the fear. "You need to leave. We're done."

His expression darkened, rage flickering in his eyes. In a swift and sudden movement, he lunged forward, grabbing Charlotte's arm roughly. She gasped in pain and terror, trying to pull away, but his grip was tight, his fingers digging into her skin.

Mia reacted without hesitation, stepping between them and pushing him away with all her strength. "Get out!" she yelled, her voice a fierce and protective roar. "I won't let you hurt her!"

He stumbled back, momentarily stunned by Mia's defiance. For a fleeting moment, the room seemed to hang in precarious silence, the three of them locked in a tense standoff. Then, he turned and fled, his footsteps echoing down the hallway in a rapid retreat. Mia rushed to Charlotte's side, holding her trembling form in a tight embrace. Charlotte clung to her, tears streaming down her face as the adrenaline of the moment ebbed away, leaving only a profound sense of vulnerability and fear.

"I'm so sorry," Charlotte whispered hoarsely, her voice shaking with emotion. "I never wanted you to see that side of my life."

Mia held her closer, brushing strands of hair away from Charlotte's tear-streaked face. "You don't have to apologize," she murmured softly. "I'm here for you, Charlotte. Always."

They stayed like that for what felt like an eternity, finding solace and strength in each other's arms. In the aftermath of the intrusion, they clung to the certainty of their love, a beacon of hope amidst the darkness of the past that threatened to engulf them. As they stood together, the broken door a stark reminder of the violence they had just faced, they knew that their journey toward healing and safety was far from over. But they also knew they would face it together, united in their determination to build a future defined by love, trust, and the unwavering commitment to protect each other at all costs. As they stood amidst the shattered remnants of the door, Mia held Charlotte close, her arms a steadfast embrace around her trembling form. The echoes of fear and adrenaline still reverberated in the air, mingling with the lingering scent of intrusion and violence.

"I'm here," Mia whispered reassuringly, her voice a soothing balm against Charlotte's ear. "He's gone now. You're safe."

Charlotte nodded weakly, her fingers clutching onto Mia's shirt as if afraid to let go. She could still feel the ghostly imprint of his grip on her arm, a chilling reminder of the past she had fought so hard to leave behind.

"I never thought..." Charlotte's voice faltered, tears streaming down her face anew. "I thought I was strong enough to keep him out of our lives."

Mia brushed a gentle thumb across Charlotte's cheek, wiping away tears with a tenderness born of love and concern. "You are strong," she insisted softly. "What happened tonight doesn't change that. It just shows how far you've come."

Charlotte leaned into Mia's touch, seeking comfort in the warmth and steadiness that Mia offered without hesitation. In the chaos of the moment, she found herself clinging to the sanctuary they had built together, a refuge where love and trust were their shared currency.

"I'm sorry," Charlotte murmured, her voice trembling with a mix of emotions. "I never wanted you to be in danger because of me."

Mia shook her head gently, her own eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "You didn't cause this," she replied firmly. "He made his choices. You've done nothing wrong."

They stood together in the dimly lit hallway, the outside world seeming distant and unreal compared to the intensity of their shared emotions. Mia guided Charlotte back into their apartment, away from the broken door and the lingering shadows of fear. Once inside, Mia settled Charlotte on the couch, wrapping her in a blanket and sitting close beside her. They didn't speak for a while, the silence filled with the quiet exchange of glances and the gentle rhythm of their breathing.

"I love you," Charlotte finally whispered, breaking the stillness. Her voice was hoarse from crying, but her gaze was unwavering as it met Mia's.

Mia smiled softly, reaching out to take Charlotte's hand in hers. "I love you too," she replied, her voice filled with tenderness and resolve. "We'll get through this together, Charlotte. I promise."

Charlotte nodded, a flicker of determination lighting up her eyes. She squeezed Mia's hand tightly, drawing strength from their connection. In that moment of shared vulnerability and unwavering support, they knew that their love was not just a sanctuary—it was a fortress, impervious to the storms that threatened to shake their foundation. As they sat together, the night slowly faded into dawn, casting a soft glow through the windows of their home. In the quiet intimacy of that moment, they found solace in the knowledge that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them united, their bond stronger than ever before. As the adrenaline of the intrusion began to ebb, Charlotte's breathing grew erratic, shallow gasps punctuating the heavy silence that enveloped them. Mia noticed the change immediately, the way Charlotte's hands trembled uncontrollably in hers, the frantic rise and fall of her chest.

"Charlotte, hey, look at me," Mia urged gently, her voice laced with concern. But Charlotte seemed distant, her eyes wide with a growing sense of panic that threatened to overwhelm her.

"I can't..." Charlotte managed to whisper, her voice strained and uneven. She tried to stand, her legs betraying her as they buckled beneath her weight. Mia caught her just in time, guiding her back down onto the couch, her own heart racing with worry.

"Stay with me, Charlotte," Mia pleaded softly, brushing hair away from Charlotte's clammy forehead. But Charlotte's breathing quickened further, panic tightening its grip around her like a vice.

The world seemed to blur around Charlotte as she struggled to maintain control. She felt disconnected from her own body, a sensation both terrifying and surreal. The walls of their sanctuary closed in, the air thick and suffocating.

Mia's voice cut through the haze, a lifeline in the storm. "It's okay, just focus on your breathing," she coached, her voice steady despite the fear tightening in her chest. "In and out, Charlotte. You're safe here with me."

But Charlotte's vision tunneled, darkness encroaching from the edges until it swallowed her whole. Mia's panicked cry echoed in the distance as Charlotte slumped against her, her consciousness slipping away.

AN- 

don't come for me i beg.