Hearing Yael's words sent a cold wave through me.
It wasn't the normal kind of fear. It was the kind that crawled under your skin and turns your blood to ice. Like I'd been dropped into the deepest, darkest water and couldn't find the surface.
I clutched my phone so tight my fingers hurt. In my head, I pretended it was his heart in my hand. I wanted to squeeze until he finally felt what he kept doing to people. Until his smile broke.
That was when I understood something ugly.
Hatred can make you lose yourself.
And in that moment, I wasn't rational either.
One thought swallowed everything.
End him. End his brother. End that whole rotten line.
Yael's voice softened, almost sweet. "Elena, weren't we happy together? Come back, won't you? I miss you."
He sounded like an innocent boy. Like he had no idea what pain was.
But I knew the face beneath that voice. I knew the sickness behind that charm. I knew how he smiled when he was holding a leash.
Oh, I missed him too.
