Beyond The Lie

Chapter 27: Breaking point

Adeline.

I sobbed uncontrollably beside Eryx, my hands covering my face in shame. "No, no, no," I muttered, shaking my head. "Why did I do that? Why did I have to make a scene in public?"

Eryx tried to comfort me, but I cut him off. "And then I had to go and declare that I'm with you. In front of everyone. What was I thinking?"

I blamed myself, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. "What if Elena sees this? What if she thinks I'm some kind of drama queen? What if she fires me from the project?"

My thoughts spiraled out of control, fueled by fear and anxiety. "And my friends and family... they're going to kill me. They're going to be so disappointed in me. Why did I have to make it public? Why did I have to involve you?"

Eryx tried to intervene, but I talked over him. "And what about you? What about your reputation? I've dragged you into this mess, and now everyone's going to think you're involved with some crazy, emotional woman."

My frustration simmered, boiling over into anger. "I'm so stupid. I always do this. I always mess things up." My voice rose, echoing off the car's windows. "Why can't I just keep my mouth shut? Why can't I just be normal?"

I felt my emotions spiraling out of control, like a tornado tearing through my mind. I was trapped, helpless to stop the chaos.

And then, I snapped. I started hitting my head with my hands, the pain a welcome distraction from the emotional agony. "Stupid, stupid, stupid," I chanted, my voice cracking with despair.

The car screeched to a halt, and Eryx's hand closed around my wrist, pulling my hands away from my head. "Adeline, stop! Enough!" he said, his voice firm but laced with concern.

As he looked at me, his grip on my wrist softened. "You're going to hurt yourself," he said, his eyes locked on mine.

I felt a wave of helplessness wash over me, and I looked away, my head bowing in defeat. "I'm so done, Eryx. I'm tired. Exhausted."

Eryx's voice was low and gentle. "I know you're exhausted and tired. And I know I'm also a reason for that."

I shook my head, but the words caught in my throat. It was true - I was exhausted by my work, Ethan, and this fake mess. But Eryx's words made it sound like he was taking the blame, and for some reason, I couldn't bear that.

I tried to speak, but my mind was a jumbled mess of thoughts and emotions. Instead, I leaned forward, resting my head on Eryx's chest. It was a surrender, a admission that I was at my breaking point.

Eryx's arms wrapped around me, holding me close as I let out a shuddering breath. For a moment, we just sat there, the only sound the quiet hum of the car's engine.

His hand wrapped around my shoulder, holding me close, while his other hand found its way to my head, gently patting it. His arms pulled me closer, enveloping me in a warm embrace. "I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I'm sorry for troubling you. I don't know where else to go!"

The words spilled out without thought, but they were true. I couldn't turn to my friends or parents. They would only worry or judge me.

Eryx's voice was soothing. "You're not a trouble, Luna. You're...just unpredictable...and wild...like a storm."

He tried to ease the tension with a gentle smile. "Or should I add beautiful as well?"

But his words only made me feel more anxious. Suddenly, a wave of uncertainty washed over me. Where were we going? Where would I go? Not to the apartment, not home...never.

Eryx broke the silence. "Let's go."

I looked at him, my eyes searching for answers. "Where?"

He grinned mischievously. "To the beginning!"

I raised an eyebrow, doubt etched on my face. Eryx just winked and started driving, leaving me to wonder what lay ahead.

***

The car took a turn into the woods, and suddenly it hit me - "the beginning" was the secluded cabin where this lie began. Ahead, I saw the cabin nestled deep within the dense forest, its windows glowing warmly in the darkness.

The car came to a stop, and Eryx hopped out to open my door. I got out, gazing at the cabin. The moon cast an eerie glow over the scene, making the trees seem like sentinels guarding the cabin.

"Come," Eryx said, breaking the silence.

I walked with him, remembering the last time he'd dragged me to the workshop beside the cabin. It felt like an eternity ago. Now, I was walking with him wholeheartedly.

We entered the cabin, and I was enveloped in a warm and inviting atmosphere. A fire crackled in the cast-iron wood-burning stove, casting flickering shadows on the surrounding wooden walls. The room was cozy, lit only by the fire and a few candles.

Eryx led me deeper into the cabin, the wooden floorboards creaking beneath our feet. I felt a sense of peace settle over me, as if I'd finally found a refuge from the chaos outside.

The silence was palpable, until Eryx broke it. "Remember this place?" he asked, his voice low and smooth.

I didn't look at him, instead gazing around the cozy interior. "You didn't bring me here. You took me to that workshop," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

I could sense Eryx's smile, even without looking at him. "Right," he said, his tone amused.

I spotted a couch and walked over to it, sinking into its plush cushions. My eyes wandered to the window, staring out into the darkness. The infinity of the night seemed to stretch out before me, and I felt lost in its vastness.

Eryx said something, but I didn't hear him. My mind was elsewhere, consumed by thoughts of what had just transpired.

My phone, which Eryx had put on silent, had been ringing nonstop. I picked it up, and my heart sank as I saw the numerous missed calls from Liv, Soph, Mom, Dad, and others. I felt the urge to throw the phone away, but instead, I turned it off and placed it on the couch cushion beside me.

What had I done? Just a few hours ago, I was relaxing in the apartment, watching TV, and now... everything was ruined.

Just then, a cup appeared in front of me, breaking the spell of my thoughts.

"Coffee!" Eryx said, offering me a steaming cup.

I took it, grateful for the warmth. "Thank you."

He nodded and sat beside me on the couch. The silence between us was oppressive, but I decided to break it.

"You should have driven away when you saw the argument," I said, taking a sip of the coffee.

Eryx raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"And just escaped," I said, my voice laced with bitterness.

Eryx shrugged. "Yeah, as if my family won't see the fight in the media and ask me where I was."

His words hung in the air, and I felt a pang of realization. That's it. That's the reason he came. He didn't want to be caught in the media storm, didn't want to be associated with me and my drama. He just wanted to protect himself.

My mind racing with thoughts, I turned on him. "So that's why you came?" I accused, my voice trembling. "To make your family believe that this relationship is real... and that you're the hero who saved me from myself?"

Eryx's expression was inscrutable, but his eyes seemed to hold a hint of something more. He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"Maybe it's not about what they think, Luna." His eyes locked onto mine, sending a shiver down my spine. "Maybe it's about what I think."