Two broken souls in the midst of a crazy world. Two souls running away from their past. There was no light at the end of the tunnel. The tunnel was cracking, slowly closing in.
When these two connect, as if they were set on the same path, light cre...
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TWO MONTHS EARLIER
I sit in the corner of the couch, staring at the space between my hands, my fingers trembling just a little. The soft hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen is the only sound that dares break the silence of the apartment. Adonis is in the kitchen, his movements calm, methodical, as he sifts through the cabinets.
I know he's trying to keep things light. That's his way, always, and I adore him for it. But beneath that easy smile, I can see the weight he's carrying. It's been there for days, settling in the crease between his brow, in the way his eyes darken when he thinks no one's looking.
I hate seeing him like this.
He isn't the type to show vulnerability to anyone but me. And I get it. He's had his share of scars, built walls higher than I could ever scale. But somehow, he lets me in. I'm grateful for that, more than he knows.
But this... this is different.
I take a slow breath, shifting slightly on the couch, trying to ease the tightness in my chest. The cold that's settled in my stomach won't leave. Not since last night. Not since everything unraveled.
Last night.
I replay it over and over in my head. The way my heart pounded in my chest when I saw Valentina near Adonis. Her touch. The way it lingered in the air long after she backed away. My blood boiled, but my heart ached for what it meant. And then Sebastian, his face twisted in a way I had never seen before. A look of pure malice.
I want to forget it. I need to forget it. But there's this fear, a gnawing, growing thing, clawing at my insides. What if it's true? What if I'm not the one he loves, not the one he's meant to be with? What if I've been holding onto a fantasy while everyone around me is just... playing their part?
The thought of losing him is like drowning in ice-cold water, each breath a struggle to stay afloat. But no matter how much I want to pretend, to bury my head in the sand, I can't ignore it.
"Angel?" Adonis' voice breaks through the haze of my thoughts, soft, a little unsure. He's leaning against the living room wall now, his eyes searching mine.
I force a smile, but it feels thin, like I'm wearing a mask that's about to crack. "Yeah?"
He walks over, his steps light, his eyes soft with concern. The moment he reaches me, he drops to his knees, taking my hands in his. His touch is gentle, the warmth of his palms grounding me, but it does little to stop the storm raging in my chest.
"I'm sorry," he says, his voice low and sincere. "I don't know what's going on in your head right now, but you don't have to hide it from me. If something's bothering you... we'll figure it out, okay?"
I close my eyes, leaning back against the couch, letting my head fall against the soft cushions. I wish I could just tell him. Tell him everything that's running through my head, all the fear, all the anger, all the confusion. But the truth is, I don't even know where to start.
