Obsessive Control ( Under publishing contract )

Someone

Aris,

He grips my arm firmly, his iron grip betraying the storm of fury raging within him. His eyes are dark, almost black, and a palpable tension emanates from every fiber of his being. If Lov has discovered the truth, what will he do to us? He is always impulsive. I know he would never harm Jayden, but he wouldn't understand why his father, whom he thought had left without a backward glance, now stands before him. Why did I invent this shameful lie?

Perhaps the fear that Lov might potentially harm Jayden crossed my mind. But the situation is even more dangerous now that he knows I didn't tell him the truth. My heart races, a cold sweat trickling down my spine.

- Lov, try to calm down, please. Let's try to talk calmly.

His gaze falls on me, dark and threatening, clearly telling me to shut up. I know very well what he is capable of. That's why my brother had him committed here. I did everything to stay close to him until he woke up, but I admit I panicked when he woke up. Why did he stay asleep for so long? My voice trembles slightly, betraying the fear that gnaws at me from within.

He drags me into the hallway. It's already late, and not many people are left at the hospital at this hour. My eyes detail his face: he hasn't changed much. Still that wild beauty, that innocent air speckled with freckles giving him a childlike appearance. That's what captivated me about him. He also became an obsession for me. But now, that familiar face is distorted by anger, his jaws clenched, muscles tense. The tension in the air is almost palpable, each second stretching painfully.

- Where is your office?

He towers over me, waiting for an answer, his jaw clenched with restrained rage. Fear grows within me, but I do my best to hide it.

- At the end of the hallway. Please, Lov, let me explain to Jayden that you're his father. He's still little, you'll scare him...

He says nothing, dragging me toward the door at the end. He stops in front of it, without entering. I see the stress in his demeanor. It's the first time I've seen him like this. Usually, he's confident and doesn't let any emotion break him. Except anger. His breathing is rapid, his hands tremble slightly. A flicker of fear crosses his gaze, so briefly that I might have missed it.

- I'm scared, Aris...

His voice is weak, almost broken. I had never seen Lov like this, vulnerable. My heart tightens at this confession, his suffering resonating within me.

- Lov, I say softly,

He closes his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. Then, without a word, he pushes the door to my office.

Inside, the air is heavy, laden with unspoken words and accumulated tensions. Lov finally releases his grip on my arm and turns to me, his gaze seeking an answer. His anger fades slightly, replaced by deeper pain.

- Why, Aris? Why did you hide the truth from me?

The words are harsh, but the underlying pain is evident. I take a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. My heart tightens, each beat heavy and painful.

- Because I was afraid, Lov. Afraid you wouldn't understand, afraid of what you might do. But mostly, afraid of losing you again.

He shakes his head, his gaze filled with conflict. Anger and pain mingle in his eyes, a whirlwind of contradictory emotions.

- You don't understand... Jayden deserves to know. He deserves to know his father.

I nod, tears threatening to spill.

Jayden lay on the bed, asleep with his favorite stuffed animal clutched against him. Lov looks at him but doesn't dare to approach, terrified that his son might reject him. His imposing stature contrasts with the vulnerability in his eyes, a vulnerability that touches me deeply.