THE BALDWIN'S POSSESION

HIS SPARROW...

Hey cuties! I have an announcement to make. One of our readers-my cutie-is getting married, so please congratulate her with your best wishes.

16723SH, congratulations, bub... 🤍Wishing you a lifetime of love, laughter, and endless happiness .. 💕✨"

Let's continue...

My mind went blank for a moment. Shaking off the lingering thoughts, I grabbed my brush and started working on my next painting project, letting the colors and strokes distract me.

Time turned from minutes into hours. I placed the messy brush inside the palette, still smeared with red paint. Washing my hands in the washroom, I tied my hair into a loose bun and headed downstairs, feeling the familiar pull of routine.

Aunty Abela was cleaning with the other maids when I called out to her.

"Aunty..."

She turned around, smiling warmly at me. My gaze briefly shifted to the others, and I greeted them with a small smile too. Aunty approached me, her expression curious as she asked if I was ready to go. I quickly nodded, feeling a mix of eagerness and apprehension.

"Let's go," she said, leading the way. I followed closely behind her, my steps in sync with hers.

On Saturdays, she always brought her little son, Alen. I adored him. He reminded me so much of my own little brother, who must have grown up so much by now. Alen was just so tiny, so adorable, with his innocent laughter and bright eyes.

We reached the garden, and the sweet sound of his voice greeted me.

"Evie..."

He called out, his small legs carrying him toward me as fast as they could. His perfectly trimmed hair bounced with each step, and my arms opened wide, ready to embrace him. But then, he suddenly stopped in his tracks. Aunty Abela's smile vanished, replaced by a look of concern.

I felt it-a presence behind me. My body turned cold, every nerve on edge. Fear surged through me, not just for myself but for Aunty and Alen.

"Hey..."

"Sparrow..." His voice was dark, laced with an unsettling calmness. His chin rested on my shoulder, and I froze, my entire body stiffening in response.

"R...ay..." I stammered, my voice barely audible. He hummed softly, the sound vibrating against me. His hand slid from behind to my stomach, caging me in his arms. With a slight tug, he pulled me back, pressing my body against his chest.

"I see my sparrow was enjoying herself..." he whispered huskily, his breath brushing against my ear and sending chills down my spine.

"R...ay, it...s m..y fa..ult..." I managed to say, my voice trembling with fear. His demeanor was calm-too calm-like the stillness before a storm. I wanted to run, to escape, but I didn't know how.

"What is your fault, sparrow?" he asked, his lips brushing against my neck as he placed a soft kiss there. I squirmed, trying to pull away, but his grip only tightened. His other hand trailed along my back, drawing slow, deliberate patterns that made my skin crawl.

"Was it being outside?

Talking to her?

Or maybe giving them importance in your life..." His tone was low and controlled, each word like a dagger slicing through the air.

His finger traced my spine, moving from my waist back up in a curved pattern. Then it slid to the front of my neck, and suddenly, he grabbed my throat, choking me tightly. His other hand forcefully turned me to face him. Our eyes met, and I couldn't even blink before he yanked me closer, pressing his lips against mine with bruising intensity.

Aunty Abela quickly shielded her son's eyes, scooping him up and hurrying away.

He wasn't kissing me-he was devouring me. His lips moved hungrily, his teeth scraping against mine painfully at times. Then his tongue invaded my mouth, exploring every corner as if claiming it.

His grip on my throat loosened slightly, sliding lower. Without warning, he squeezed my left breast. My eyes widened in shock and disgust as I struggled to push him away, but his hold was unyielding.

"What is it?" he growled, his frustration evident.

I quickly placed my hand over his and pushed it down.

"I don't like it," I said, glaring at him through a veil of tears.

He chuckled darkly, stepping back and folding his arms across his chest. His eyes roamed over me, scrutinizing every inch of my body.

"Tch... there's nothing there worth hiding," he said with a smirk, turning away as he twirled his car keys.

I stood there, stunned, watching his back as he walked away. Was he insane?

I wiped my lips roughly, the bitter taste of him lingering. Shaking off the disgust, I hurried inside the house, my eyes darting around in search of Aunty Abela and Alen. Relief washed over me when I found them sitting together, smiling and talking as if nothing had happened.

Then my gaze landed on Ray. He was seated on the sofa, engrossed in a file. His expression was serious, his focus unbroken. I decided to head upstairs quietly, but his voice stopped me.

"Come here, sparrow," he ordered, not bothering to look up.

I hesitated but eventually nodded, taking slow steps toward him until I was just five feet away.

He scrunched his nose, finally looking up at me.

"You smell," he remarked, his tone flat.

I frowned, giving him a side-eye.

"That's was a bad come back," I said, my voice laced with irritation.

"Let me finish, sparrow," he replied, standing up and closing the distance between us.

He stood so close that I could feel the heat radiating off his body. Leaning down slightly, he whispered, "Like me..." His tone was husky, sending an involuntary shiver through me.

"That's the worst," I muttered under my breath, hoping he wouldn't hear.

But he did.

"What? But girls usually love this one," he said, his lips twitching into a mischievous smile.

I rolled my eyes internally, turning to leave. But before I could take another step, he grabbed my wrist, pulling me back. The playful glint in his eyes darkened, replaced by something far more dangerous.

"Eve..." He said my name with such intensity that it felt like a command, his voice sending tremors through my body.

"If I ever catch you talking to someone like them again, looking at them, or even smiling at them..." He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "I'll make sure you forget they exist-starting by reminding you exactly who you belong to."

And cuties, my laptop needs some cleaning, so it's going to take a bit more time to update the next chapter. Please wait a little longer...