The Way Of Tears || kthv 📚

CHP:9 The Flames Of Obsession

I had planned it down to the last detail. It wasn't difficult, really. When you control an empire like mine, pulling a few strings-no matter how dark-comes naturally. And now, the time has come.

London was cold tonight, but I barely felt it. I arrived hours ago, my presence unnoticed, as always. Everything was already set in motion. Neva Chen, the author of that foolish character Varen, was blissfully unaware of the storm that was about to devour her life. She wouldn't see it coming, just like all the others who got in my way.

Standing in the shadow of a tall building across from her small house, I watched her through the window. A woman in her thirties, utterly mundane. She sat at her desk, writing-probably crafting more lies, more fantasies for people like my little Muse to fawn over. That thought alone ignited a sharp anger within me.

This woman had dared to steal my Muse's attention from me, dared to plant ideas in her head that didn't belong. I took a deep breath, letting the anger fuel me, focusing it into a calm, calculated plan. It was time.

I crossed the street, entering the house effortlessly. My men stand outside, Waiting for my one command and burn down the whole damn house but...but I needed to do it, by myself. A few well-placed bribes had ensured no alarms, no security, and no interruptions. The door swung open silently, and I stepped inside, my eyes scanning the room until they landed on her.

She didn't hear me until I was close-too close for her to react. The soft click of my shoes on the floor made her flinch. Slowly, she turned, her eyes wide with confusion, then fear as she saw me.

"Who are you?" she stammered, her voice trembling as she stood up from her chair, taking a step back. "What are you doing here?"

I didn't respond immediately. Instead, I stepped closer, my presence alone making her tremble. I could see the fear in her eyes now, the confusion turning into terror.

"You don't know me," I said quietly, my voice calm, even. "But you've been on my way for far too long."

Her brow furrowed in confusion. "I-I don't understand... I haven't-"

"Nova Chen," I interrupted, her name hanging in the air like a threat. "You don't even know what you did by creating that useless varen." I said, tilting my head, taking some calculative steps towards her like a predator.
"Congratulations you've managed to capture my little muse's attention. And that... that's something I can't forgive."

The realization hit her, and she took another shaky step back, eyes darting to the door. Panic gripped her face. "You can't be serious... she's just a reader. It's fiction!"

"That's where you're wrong," I said, my voice chillingly soft. "You've taken something that belongs to me. You've put ideas in her head, made her think there's someone else worthy of her thoughts."

She started to shake her head, her voice rising in desperation. "This is insane! I don't know who you are, but you can't do this. Please, just leave-"

I moved so quickly she barely had time to scream. My hand closed around her throat, cutting off her words, pinning her against the wall. Her eyes were wide with terror, her hands clawing at mine, but it was no use. I squeezed tighter, leaning closer until our faces were inches apart.

"You stole her thoughts from me," I whispered darkly, the fury barely contained in my voice. "And for that, you'll burn."

I released her just long enough for her to gasp for air, her body shaking with fear as I forwarded my hand to one of my men, as he handed me the can of gasoline. I poured the gasoline over the room. Her panicked breaths filled the space, and I savored the sound, knowing it would be one of her last.