UNWANTED DEVOTION

ACCEPTANCE

The next morning arrived. I gazed at the ceiling, wishing myself a good morning, before closing my eyes again to get some peaceful sleep after a sleepless night.

I slept undisturbed until...

I felt someone caressing my hair and opened my eyes wide in shock. There he was, Kian, sitting beside me with a smirk. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing mind, and spoke softly.

"What are you doing here, Kian?" I asked gently. He frowned at my soft tone and leaned in closer. He raised his hand, and I instinctively closed my eyes, bracing for a hit. Instead, I heard the sound of his laughter.

Kian laughed loudly and, with a sudden jerk, hovered over me, pushing me onto the bed.

"What game are you playing, Birdy?" he asked in a husky voice, his hand tightening around my throat. I didn't say anything, just locked eyes with him for a few seconds before uttering the words.

"I am accepting a monster," I said, looking into his eyes, my voice void of emotion but filled with confidence.

He stared into my eyes for a few minutes before leaning in to nuzzle my neck, inhaling deeply and chuckling.

"Then get ready to live your life with this monster, Birdy, because I am not letting you leave after this." His tongue traced a line on my neck, tasting the saltiness before biting it harshly. He kept sucking and biting until a huge, bloody red mark remained.

He got up from me and stood straight, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Be prepared for the wedding, Birdy," he said with a smirk, and I gulped as I watched him leave.

I stood up, brought out my art supplies, and sat near the window, slowly painting something to calm my mind.

I painted until the cold evening breeze started touching my body, sending small shivers through it. I put everything back in its place and went to the washroom to freshen up.

The burn wounds still hurt whenever I walked, but thankfully, there were no blisters. I walked out with small, careful steps when suddenly someone picked me up in a bridal style. Shocked, a gasp escaped my mouth.

"Kian, what are you doing? Leave me," I said slowly, but he didn't respond, just kept looking straight ahead with a cold expression.

Once we reached the dining room, I heard Mrs. Well's loud voice.

"SEE HOW GOOD THEY LOOK TOGETHER!" I wanted to scoff at her comment but didn't. I just looked down as Kian set me on the chair beside him. I took a small glance at the people sitting around before looking down again.

Rose was there. I wanted to shout at her for betraying me, but even if she hadn't told Kian, he would still use Neo to bring me back.

"How long will she stay?" Mr. Well asked coldly, looking at Kian. I knew he was referring to me. I glanced at Rose, who was clenching her spoon.

"She will leave tonight," Kian said, and Rose's eyes widened in shock, the look of betrayal clear on her face. I felt bad for her, but Mr. and Mrs. Well smiled after hearing that.

We ate in silence, and once we were done, Rose spoke up.

"Can I talk to you, Kian... for a minute?" she asked loudly at first, but her voice grew softer when Mr. and Mrs. Well turned their gaze toward her.

Kian hummed and walked away, with Rose following him from behind.

I rolled my eyes, washed my hands, and headed back to my room.

Third Person's POV

"DIDN'T YOU SAY I WILL BE YOUR WIFE?" Rose shouted angrily while looking at Kian, who didn't look at her even once.

"I never said it, Rose, and I would love it if you toned down your voice a little bit," Kian said coldly.

"What has that slut done to you, Kian?" Rose asked in a slow yet audible voice, like she was pleading.

Kian turned back, looking at Rose with a death stare, and started walking towards her with heavy steps. Rose just stood there, not knowing what to do, when suddenly a loud slap echoed in the hall.

Rose held her cheek, looking at Kian with betrayal.

"WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU CALLING SLUT, YOU WHORE? DON'T FORGET I KNOW HOW MANY MEN YOU HAVE SPREAD YOUR LEGS FOR. A WHORE LIKE YOU IS CALLING MY BIRDY, WHO WAS WAITING FOR ONLY ME, A SLUT... THE ONLY SLUT HERE IS YOU, ROSE," he shouted angrily.

Rose trembled, crying, her legs giving up strength, and she sat on the floor, crying out loud.

Kian came near her, pulling her hair, making her look up, and said, "Your flight is booked for 9 pm. I hope you never come near me again, or I will slit this pretty neck of yours," he said coldly while glancing at Rose's neck.

"That's not love, Kian. That's not love," Rose said while crying, and Kian chuckled.

"I know, sweetheart, it's not love. But whatever it is, it's giving me pleasure, and I am loving it," he said in his deep voice, his eyes growing darker with each second.

"YOU WILL HARM HER, KIAN," Rose shouted in frustration and betrayal while crying.

"Oh girl, she is made to be harmed by me, my pretty doll, my Birdy," he said and laughed while walking away from Rose.

Rose cried out loud, letting everyone know her pain. Some pitied her, while others were just disgusted by her.

Crystal, who was hearing Rose's cries, clenched the blanket tightly with her hand and pulled it over her whole body, covering herself before closing her eyes.