Twisted Veil of Devotion

Part 4

A shadow lurking at my lips.

It whispers doubts I cannot see,

But feel their weight consuming me.

Stella POV:

The morning sun felt like a cruel joke. Its brightness filtering through the thin curtains in my room was too sharp, too harsh for the state I was in. I blinked against it, my eyes raw and stinging from crying most of the night. I had slept for maybe 45 minutes, if that. The rest of the time, I lay curled up in bed, haunted by his voice, by his threats, by the terrifying reality of what had happened.

"I will chop Ryan up into tiny pieces..."

His words echoed in my mind over and over again, each repetition sending a fresh wave of nausea through me. I pressed the heels of my hands against my eyes, trying to block out the images that threatened to surface. But they wouldn't go away.

Dragging myself out of bed felt like lifting a mountain. My body ached, and every step felt heavy, like I was moving through thick, invisible mud. The mirror was unforgiving. My eyes were swollen, red, the skin around them puffy from all the crying. There was no way to hide the exhaustion etched into my face, but I had to try. I needed to look normal, even though nothing felt normal anymore.

I applied makeup with trembling hands, covering the evidence of the previous night as best as I could. Concealer for the dark circles, powder for the blotchy skin. I forced myself to put on my usual clothes, business casual, just like every other day, but the person looking back at me in the mirror was a hollow version of who I used to be.

It didn't matter. I had to get through this. I had to survive.

And most of all, I had to stay away from Ryan.

That promise, his name burned into my mind like a brand, was the only thing that kept me going. I couldn't let him get hurt. Not because of me. Not because of that monster lurking in the shadows, watching, waiting for any sign of disobedience. I had to follow his warning, no matter how much it tore me apart inside.

When I arrived at the office, I kept my head down, barely acknowledging anyone as I settled at my desk. I knew Ryan would be here. He was always one of the first to arrive, always eager to get started, to talk to me, to make me smile.

But today, I couldn't look at him. I couldn't let him see me.

I saw him out of the corner of my eye, walking toward my desk, that familiar warm smile on his face. My heart ached with every step he took. He called my name, his voice gentle, kind, everything I didn't deserve right now.

"Hey, Stella, you good? You've been really quiet."

I ignored him. It was the hardest thing I've ever done.

My chest felt tight, like I was suffocating. I wanted to turn around, to tell him everything, to let him comfort me. But the image of him in pieces, tiny pieces flashed in my mind, and the fear was too much. I couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to him because of me.

"Stella?" Ryan's voice was closer now, concerned.

I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood. I stood up abruptly, walking away before he could press any further. His confusion, the hurt in his voice, it broke me. But this was the only way to keep him safe. I had to shut him out, no matter how much it hurt.

The day dragged on, each second feeling like an eternity. I buried myself in work, avoiding everyone, especially Ryan. By the time the office began to empty out, I was exhausted, physically, emotionally, in every possible way. My heart was heavy with guilt for the way I had treated Ryan, but it didn't matter. I had to stay strong. I had to protect him.