Ethan had never been the type to take control. He had spent his life drifting from one decision to the next, letting others decide for him. It was easier that way. Less pressure. Less fear of making mistakes.
And then he met Valerie.
She was like fireâintense, consuming, and inescapable. The first time she spoke to him, she didnât just talkâshe commanded. And he listened. He had never met a woman like her before. She didnât ask for permission, didnât hesitate. She saw what she wanted and took it.
And she wanted him.
The Cage of Her Love
Their relationship started like any other, but it didnât take long for Ethan to realize that Valerieâs love was⦠different. She didnât just love himâshe owned him.
At first, it was subtle. She made decisions for them, picked out his clothes, told him where they were going and what they were doing. But it escalated.
"You donât need to talk to them anymore," she had said one evening, deleting a contact from his phone. "Theyâre a bad influence on you."
He should have protested. He should have said something. But deep down, he didnât want to. Valerie knew best.
She always knew best.
Soon, she had control over everything. His schedule. His bank account. His social life. If she didnât approve of something, it simply didnât exist in his world anymore.
"You donât need to think so much," she whispered one night, her fingers trailing down his bare chest. "Let me do that for you."
And he did.
Because thinking was exhausting.
Deciding was stressful.
Letting her take control? That was peace.
Her Possession
Valerie didnât just want Ethanâs loveâshe wanted his soul.
She watched him like a hawk, always knowing where he was, who he spoke to, what he was thinking. And the moment she sensed hesitation, the moment she felt him waver, she reminded him.
"Who do you belong to?" she would whisper against his lips, her nails pressing into his skin just hard enough to leave marks.
"You," Ethan would breathe, his voice barely above a whimper.
Her grip would tighten. "Say it again."
"You," he repeated, surrendering completely.
And she would smile. Because he had never truly been his own person.
He had always belonged to her. He just hadnât realized it yet.
The Breaking Point
Ethan's last remaining friend, Jake, refused to let go.
"Sheâs controlling you," Jake warned, gripping Ethanâs arm. "This isnât loveâitâs obsession."
Ethan didnât respond.
"Sheâs isolating you, man. Canât you see it?"
Valerie stood behind them, silent but watching. Her presence alone made the hair on the back of Ethanâs neck stand up.
"You need to leave her," Jake pressed. "Before itâs too late."
Ethan knew he should listen. He should feel alarmed. Should feel the need to escape.
But instead, he felt⦠angry.
At Jake.
At his words.
At the thought of losing her.
And so, when Valerie finally stepped forward and whispered, "Do you want me to take care of it?"
Ethan looked at Jake one last timeâ¦
And nodded.
No More Distractions
Jake was never seen again.
Ethan didnât ask questions. He didnât want to know.
And Valerie didnât tell him.
She only kissed him that night, slow and deep, whispering praises against his lips.
"Youâve finally learned," she purred.
Ethan had learned.
There was no world outside of her. No life beyond her love.
And for the first time in his lifeâ¦
He was truly happy.
Because he wasnât just hers in name.
He was hers in mind, body, and soul.
Forever.