....

My breaths were heavy, my thoughts were a mess. I could still feel the burning on my lips. I wanted to get away from him, go somewhere where his shadow wouldn't follow me. But here I was, holding him close, crying on his chest, not knowing what to do. If I ran, where would I go? If I asked for help, who would help me? If I told my family, could I stay home like I used to, or would I disappoint them again? What about Rhys? Didn't he already know where I lived? Wouldn't he come there too? Could the police help me if I tried to complain about Rhys Bernard? No, right... there were so many ways, but the door to escape was locked. The only way out led me back to him.

Unknowingly, I tightened my grip on his shirt. If this was the only way, I would walk with him. I will beg him until he himself opened a door for me to leave. If Rhys was the only one who could let me go, then I would wait for him to make a way for me to leave.

"R...hys..." I whispered while shuddering, and he hummed while playing with my hair.

"I... I w..an...na go ho..me..." I completed, closing my eyes as warm tears fell down my face. I waited for his response, but it didn't come. He just kept playing with my hair. I slowly moved my body up, wanting to look at him, wanting to see his reaction, wanting to talk, but his left hand caged me from my back, pushing me again on his chest. This time, my head was turned towards the mirror side, and I could see him...

His expression was the same—unaffected, cold, calm. Yet his eyes still held that devilish aura. My gaze and his were on the same reflection. His eyes were so dark, staring at the image of me and him so close to each other, while my eyes stared at his dark eyes. I felt my soul trembling from the intensity with which he was staring...

"I wanna go home, Rhys..." I said again, looking at those dark eyes with my teary ones. Suddenly, I gasped when Rhys suddenly shifted his gaze from our bodies to my eyes. I felt the tears leaving my eyes with great speed this time. His hold started burning me with the tightness.

This time too, he didn't answer, but I knew...

In this cage, I wouldn't walk beside him, but he would drag me wherever he wanted...

"Shut your mouth, butterfly..." he said in his deep voice. I closed my mouth, crying silently in his hold.

Minutes passed, maybe hours too. My legs were throbbing in pain from standing so long, but I didn't dare to move or make a sound. Rhys's gaze, which was still on the reflection, remained the same, filled with darkness...

My tears had dried down, yet the sobs and deep breaths of mine were making sound. He stayed a few more seconds like this and then slowly placed his chin on my shoulder. My breath hitched again in fear.

He turned his face a little towards mine and then down. His lips touched my clothed shoulder, and a loud, painful sob left my mouth...

I closed my eyes, taking deep breaths, trying to calm myself, but it didn't work. Rhys's chin and lips stayed for a few seconds before removing them completely. I remained frozen in my place, trembling, while Rhys stood up and took one step back.

His gaze met mine and stayed for a few seconds. In a blink, those dark eyes were closed, and I watched him. Wiping my own tears off, I just watched his actions...

A minute passed, and then he said, without opening his eyes...

"Let's go, butterfly..." he said suddenly, and opened his eyes. Grabbing my hand, he started pulling me with him, and I let him. Looking at his back, I followed him...

...

He was driving the car at a slow pace, humming a song like nothing had happened, while I kept playing with my fingers. My thoughts were blank, yet messed up with everything that had happened. The calm after what had happened was making me feel something I couldn't even describe.

The tears, which I kept letting fall, had not fully stopped. My stomach twisted again and again. It was uncomfortable.

The fear was uncomfortable...

"R...hys..." I let out a small voice...

He hummed.

"Can you please stop the car..." I said, and he turned his head towards me. Stopping the car slowly, he pulled it to the corner, and I quickly opened my seatbelt. Opening the door, I walked out...

I wanted to breathe. Rhys's presence was suffocating me. I clutched my stomach and started taking deep breaths, but then suddenly two hands wrapped around my waist, and I knew it was Rhys...

Frustration took over me, and I cried again in his hold, wanting to tell him, without a word, that I wanted him to leave me, that I wanted him to stay away from me. My hand went to his, my nails digging into his arm, wanting to cause him pain, but he didn't move. He didn't react.

I kept digging my nails into his hand, but his hold remained the same...

"What is it, butterfly..." he asked with a stern voice...

"Le...av..e m.e p...lease...." I replied, choking on my own sobs...

"Ask me something which is possible, butterfly..." he said and chuckled before turning me towards him with a jerk...

Placing his forehead on mine, he whispered, looking into my eyes...

"Breathe, butterfly.....

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