Neti
His words hung in the air, thick and heavy, wrapping around me like a noose. "Youâll see just how much you need me."
My heart raced, pounding against my ribs like it wanted to break free. I wanted to scream, to fight, but his presence made every thought, every movement, feel futile. The way he looked at meâwith that cruel, knowing smirkâmade my blood boil. I hated him. I hated how he got inside my head, how he twisted every ounce of defiance into something smaller, weaker.
âYou think youâve won, donât you?â I snapped, my voice sharp even though my body trembled. âYou think chaining me up, talking like some twisted savior, makes you powerful?â
Adolphâs smirk widened, and he stepped closer, closing the distance between us. The heat of his body suffocated me, even though I wanted to pretend it didnât affect me. âWon?â he murmured, his voice a low, dangerous drawl. âOh, Neti, Iâm not playing to win. Iâm playing to own.â
His hand came up, brushing a strand of hair from my face. The touch was gentle, almost tender, but the look in his eyes was anything but. I wanted to flinch, to pull away, but the chains held me in place, and worseâso did something else.
âYou can hate me all you want,â he said, his fingers trailing down my jawline, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. âYou can spit your venom and glare at me with those fiery little eyes. But in the end, it wonât matter.â
âAnd whyâs that?â I bit back, trying to keep my voice steady.
His smile darkened as he leaned in, his lips brushing against my ear. âBecause no matter how much you fight, no matter how much you tell yourself you hate me, your body will betray you.â
The words sent a shiver through me, and I hated how true they felt. My breathing quickened as his hand slid down, tracing the line of my collarbone. His touch was calculated, teasing, and I felt my resolve cracking, splintering under the weight of his presence.
âYouâre disgusting,â I hissed, my voice trembling with anger, fear, and something else I refused to name.
Adolph chuckled, low and dark, the sound vibrating against my skin. âMaybe,â he said, his lips grazing my neck. âBut it doesnât matter, does it? Youâll break, Neti. They all do.â
His words ignited something inside meârage, shame, and a spark of defiance. âYouâre wrong,â I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging in my chest. âIâll never give you what you want.â
He pulled back slightly, just enough to meet my eyes. The intensity in his gaze was almost unbearable, like he could see every part of me, every secret, every weakness.
âOh, Neti,â he said, his voice soft but dripping with cruelty. âYou already are.â
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