THE DEVIL'S POSSESSION

with a flood of emotions that I struggled to articulate. A wave of

s left my lips. It felt as if I were stepping into a shadowy echo of the pas

an unwelcome tide-too painful and sharp to linger on. Images of betrayal and heartbreak pie

see the sincerity in his eyes, but it only deepened the conflict within me. "I don't care about th

spine, and I instinctively recoiled, drawing my ha

my head defiantly. I felt the remnants of naïveté clinging to me like an unwelcom

dge to it, a hint of frustration that made my ches

g. "I don't want any of this." The words tasted bitt

a sense of determination that felt almost desperate. I locked my gaze wi

my mind. "I can't fall for it. No, I won't fall for it-not after what Damien had done." T

I had been a mere tool in his eyes, a means to an end. To him, weddi

The relentless visualization of that betrayal haunted me, a specter that whispered of my impendin

eep within me, threatening to steal my breath away. "After everything I sacrificed

houghts like a knife. His voice was steady, holding a hint of challenge, forcing me to confront the real

think staying here is the best option for me?" I demanded, a mixture of defiance and fear overtaki

r, the heat of his presence overwhelming me. It was an intensi

lexive action that earned me a low chuckl

asserted with confidence, each word a dip into the well of my resolv

out, cutting him

of humor, leaving no room for sarcasm or doubt. His eyes held a depth that

almost to himself, a hint of regret weaved through his voice,

want to make this so difficult for me?" I wondered, fee

m?" I pressed, searching for reassurance that this ti

voice firm and unwavering, though doubt crept into the margi

racing down my spine, momentarily shifting the atmosp

apped angrily, irritation flar

is voice slicing through the air with icy precis

, replaced by an oppressive chill that hung over us. His easy smile faded, replaced by

y body," I thought, dread poo

matter-of-factly that it sent a shiver of uncertainty coursi

here," he muttered, his v

sk, the word hanging in the air, my cur

he replied, his playful tone now absent,

e warmth it once held. "It's for your own good," he in

g furiously against my ribcage. "You're no better than the people who want me f

ering in his eyes like a flame coaxed by th

ou," he said, turning on his heel,

ce rising in pitch, desperation threading through my w

y frustration and hopelessness into those words,

aving me alone with my spiraling thoughts. The silence that enveloped me felt heavier than be