Twisted Veil of Devotion

Part 19

Stella POV:

The next morning, the guilt and shame hit me like a tidal wave, crashing over me, drowning me in its weight. I woke up, blinking against the daylight filtering through the curtains. Zane was soundly asleep beside me, his body relaxed, his breathing steady and deep. But instead of feeling peace or comfort, all I felt was a hollow pit in my stomach.

His arm draped over me, his warmth still lingering on my skin.

It all came crashing down—I betrayed Ryan.

I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the pang in my chest. The man who had cared for me, who had shown me kindness and understanding, and I had betrayed him. I had slept with Zane. The very man who had brought me into this twisted world, the man who had killed without hesitation, the monster who almost killed Ryan... And I had been in his bed, in his arms, telling him I loved him. I had said the words as if I meant them, as if they were real, but now, in the light of morning, they felt like a lie.

I couldn't believe what I had done. How could I have let myself fall into his trap? How could I have let my emotions get the best of me, allowing myself to feel something I couldn't even begin to understand? I wasn't supposed to be here. I wasn't supposed to care. I was supposed to use Zane to get close to him, to break down his walls, to find a way out. But instead, I had betrayed Ryan, and for what? To survive? To escape?

I turned away from Zane, feeling the weight of my actions pressing down on me. The bed felt too warm, too suffocating. I couldn't stay there. I had to leave, to get away from this mess I had created.

I stumbled out of bed, my body shaking as I made my way to the bathroom. I turned on the shower, trying to find some kind of solace in the warmth of the water. But it didn't help. The guilt was suffocating, a constant reminder of what I had done. I slid down the wall of the shower, my hands pressed against my face as I let the tears come.

The water ran down my body, mixing with my sobs, but it couldn't wash away the feeling of betrayal. I had betrayed Ryan, the one person who trusted me, the one person I had cared for. I had made a choice that I could never take back. And as much as I tried to deny it, I was starting to feel something for Zane—something I couldn't explain, something dangerous.

But I couldn't let myself think about that. I couldn't let myself fall for him. I had to keep my focus. I had to find a way to escape.

I had to make this right somehow.

The water felt colder than it should, but I didn't care. It couldn't wash away the guilt that weighed down on me, the heavy feeling in my chest that seemed to get worse with every passing second. I stayed under the stream, hoping it could drown the thoughts I couldn't escape.

I couldn't believe what I had done. I had betrayed Ryan. The man who had trusted me, who had cared for me, and here I was—drowning in my own actions. Zane. The monster who had killed, who had taken everything from me. How had I let myself fall into this? I couldn't even recognize myself anymore.

I could feel the tears mingling with the water, but I wiped them away quickly, not wanting anyone to see how weak I was. Not Zane. Not anyone.

But then I heard the door open, and I froze.

"Stella?" Zane's voice was soft, and I could hear the concern in it. "Are you okay?"

I quickly wiped my face and turned to the side, letting the water mask the evidence of my breakdown. I couldn't let him see. Not now, not when I was already lying to myself.

"I'm fine," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. It was a lie, but I had no choice. I couldn't let him see me like this.

There was a pause, a heavy silence that seemed to stretch between us. Then, I heard him step closer. "Stella..." His voice was more uncertain now, and I felt his presence just outside the shower curtain.