Still Yours

I told you not to talk to him."
His voice was quiet. Controlled. That was always the worst part. Samir didn't need to raise his voice... the threat lived beneath it, calm and patient.
I forced a breath. "You don't get to tell me what to do."
His eyes didn't flash with anger.
They softened.
And somehow, that was more terrifying.
"You still don't understand," he said, stepping closer, like this was inevitable... like I had always been walking back to him. His fingers wrapped around my wrist, not harsh, not gentle... just certain.
"We broke up," I reminded him.
A small smile touched his lips. Not hurt. Not regret.
Amusement.
"That was your decision."
The words settled heavy between us.
As if mine didn't matter.
I tried to pull away. He didn't stop me immediately... he just watched, like he already knew the outcome.
"And this?" I said, my voice sharper now. "This ends too."
His gaze dropped to my lips for a second before meeting my eyes again, slow and deliberate.
"No," he said softly.
Not angry. Not rushed.
Certain.
"If you speak to him again," he continued, brushing his thumb lightly over my pulse like he could feel every secret I was trying to hide, "I won't need to threaten you."
A pause.
"I'll simply remove the problem."
My breath caught, but I refused to let him see it.
"You're insane."
That almost made him smile.
"Maybe," he admitted, his voice quieter now, closer... like a secret meant only for me. "But you've always known that."
His grip loosened... just enough for me to think I could leave.
"Go," he said.
One word. Gentle.
A permission that didn't feel like freedom.
Because as I stepped back, something in his eyes told me the truth...
I wasn't escaping him.
I was just being allowed to walk... until he decided to take me back.