obsessively mine

CH#28 HER

I closed my eyes as Vince walked out, his unearned guilt pressing between us like a wall I'd built to keep him safe-from me, from my past, from the things he could never know. I'd buried that darkness deep, hoping he'd never catch a glimpse of what lay beneath. But secrets like mine don't stay buried forever. Sooner or later, he'd find out the truth-about the shadows, the things I'd fought so hard to keep hidden. The parts of my past that swallowed light, leaving only echoes of mistakes I could never erase.

The door creaked open, and I blinked my eyes open to see Be, my aunt-my only constant, my only true family. She looked at me, worry etching lines into her face as she approached, pressing a kiss to my temple. Her voice, low and sharp with anxiety, cut through the silence.

"How? Vince... really?"

"It wasn't him, Be," I said, my voice breaking, but she only shook her head.

"Then who was it? And why didn't you tell me about that twisted deal you made with him? You wanted him to kill you? Is that it?"

"It was Marco-his man. And Be, you know how much I love him. If I can't have him... what's the point?" My voice fell to a whisper. "I don't want to live. And I don't want him to, either."

Her expression hardened, her eyes blazing with disbelief. "Are you crazy, Stacey? Have you lost your mind? And you think Marco just acted on his own? That Vince didn't know exactly what would happen?"

I shook my head, but her words burrowed in, each one lodging like a thorn. "You don't understand, Be. This is my choice. Maybe Vince did know. And if he did... then I'll accept it. But you have to understand-I would rather be dead than watch him slip away."

Be's face flushed with anger, her voice dropping to a fierce whisper. "And what about me? Do you think I could just go on without you? You're the only one I have left, Stacey. I can't lose you, too."

For a long moment, we just looked at each other, both of us fighting tears. I forced a faint smile, hoping to pull her back from that edge. "But I'm still here. Still alive. Still... kicking."

She exhaled, a reluctant chuckle breaking the tension. "You should be grateful for that. So, what now? Are you going to keep chasing after him like some ghost? Or are you finally done with him?"

I took a steadying breath, the weight of determination settling in my bones. "No. I'm done chasing him. Now, I'll wait. I'll wait for him to come to me."

Be raised an eyebrow, half in disbelief, half in concern. "Are you sure about that? The man's a stone wall, arrogant as hell. You think he's just going to come to you?"

"I know he will. I can feel it. And when he does... I'll be ready."

She sighed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Then I hope you're ready for what that'll bring because Vince... he's not the type to be tamed. And the moment he's back, Stacey, you're risking everything. Do you understand that?"

A chill ran down my spine, but I met her gaze without flinching. "I understand. And I'm ready."