The sound of burning wood in the fireplace was the only thing I could hear now. A heavy silence lingered between me and Felix as we sat in the living room. He lay stretched out on the couch, one hand resting over his forehead, while I curled up in a leather armchair, watching his silhouette flicker in the firelight.
My thoughts spiraled—starting with how long we'd known each other, the strange closeness between us, my inexplicable weakness for him, and ending with everything he'd revealed about his childhood… and Lucas.
I still couldn't fully process what had happened back when Felix was in middle school. It was beyond comprehension. The most terrifying part wasn't even what Lucas had done—but what Felix had nearly done. That the only thing that had stopped him was realizing the girl wasn't me... and somehow, that made it even worse.
A cold shiver ran down my spine.
He would've been capable of hurting me back then, just because he wanted me that much.
And now here I was, alone in the middle of nowhere with him, ruining my life to save his.
What kind of idiot did that make me?
What was it about him that had such a damned hold on me? Why, after everything, did I still want to be near him? Why did I still hope, deep down, that we could have something real, something happy?
I was such a fool.
"I know telling you about my past stirred up fears," Felix spoke at last, his voice barely louder than the fire crackling beside us. "But I didn't want to hide anything from you anymore. Not now, not when I finally feel like myself again. You deserve to know everything."
I closed my eyes. Maybe this was the moment. The moment I should tell him everything, too. I'd kept it buried for so long—because back then, Felix had scared me. But now? I saw someone else in him. Someone I didn't want to lie to anymore.
"There's something I never told you," I said, my voice uncertain.
He lifted his head slightly, propping himself on his elbows.
"Is this about when we were together?" he asked, eyes wide with worry. I shook my head. His shoulders eased, just barely.
"Remember when you asked me why I suddenly disappeared during the second semester?" He nodded slowly. "Something happened. I don't know why I never told you. Maybe it was too painful... or maybe I was ashamed. But the worst part is that Lucas..."
"Did he hurt you?" Felix shot up, his voice laced with rage.
"No, no—calm down," I said quickly. His intense gaze stayed locked on me. "It wasn't him. It was... the art teacher. He saw potential in me as an artist, or at least that's what he said. But I think what he really saw was a potential victim."
Felix went pale. "What does that mean?"
"For a long time, I hated physical closeness. Hated when someone touched me or tried to kiss me. Even hugs made my skin crawl. You managed to break through that wall—somehow, over time, I let you get close. But it wasn't easy."
"Why didn't you tell me back then? If I'd known you were suffering…"
"I wanted to beat those demons on my own. And you helped me do that, Felix."
"I helped you?" he whispered, his voice cracking. "All I did was add more to your pain."
I stood from the chair and dropped to my knees in front of him. Reaching for his hands, I took them gently in mine.
"We've already talked about this," I said, looking into his tear-glazed eyes. "Stop apologizing for who you were. I understand—you weren't yourself."
He stared at me, pained. "But what does Lucas have to do with what happened?"
I took a shaky breath. "He saw it happen. He saw the teacher pin me to the wall, holding my wrist. I tried to run, but I couldn't. Then suddenly Lucas stormed in. He was only thirteen, but he went at him like a wild animal. Pushed him back, slapped him across the face, over and over again. It was terrifying... but in that moment, all I could think was: He helped me."
Felix looked stunned. "Lucas helped you?"
"Yes. And I know how it sounds now. Especially after what you told me—how he raped that girl. But back then… I thought he saved me."
He was silent for a long moment. "He must've been watching you. Maybe because he already knew you had my attention."
"Maybe," I murmured. "But what I keep wondering is—why? What made him do it?"
"What did he say to you?" Felix asked quietly.
"He said... he couldn't stand to see an old man touching a girl like that."
We both fell silent.
"And then years later, he did the exact same thing himself," I added, my voice hollow.
"If you can't understand him," I whispered, "then who can?"
Felix looked down at our joined hands. The fire's glow danced over his features.
"I think," he said slowly, "before anyone can understand him, he has to understand himself."
*
From Lucas's Perspective
With a spark of excitement burning in my eyes, I tore the tape from Hannah's mouth. Even though I held her captive, she didn't look scared. Instead, she stared right through me, her gaze sharp and cold, as if she were plotting my demise.
I couldn't help but find it… amusing. A strange thrill twisted inside me—I was starting to enjoy this.
"I don't know what's wrong with you, dumbass," she spat, "but I have to earn my living to survive. My mother disowned me years ago when I refused to go to college. And she won't come looking for me."
Sebastian, standing silently to the side, looked horrified at her bluntness.
"Why tell him all this?" Sebastian asked, disbelief thick in his voice.
"I just want him to understand no one's coming to save me," Hannah snapped. "Whether he locks me up here forever or kills me, it's all the same. At least then I won't have to struggle to survive. And if I'm going to be a prisoner, at least give me a comfortable bed."
Her words hit me like a jolt. This was the first time I'd met someone crazier than me—and I liked it.
"I like you," I said with a crooked smile, pointing a finger at her. "Sebastian, you're lucky to have such a fantastic girl in your class."
Hannah smirked, completely unbothered by the fact she'd just exposed herself.
"But the craziest one was Selena," she added with a grin. "Everyone's still obsessed with her. No point lying—you already know everything."
She turned her gaze to me, her eyes sharp.
"Did you also know I kissed her best friend in the school hallway? It was to save Sebastian from that crazy girl."
A genuine laugh escaped me—something I hadn't done in a long time.
"Sounds like a story worth hearing. We've got all night before dawn," I said.
She narrowed her eyes at me. "What are you planning at dawn? Are you a vampire? Do you sleep then? Because you're pretty damn beautiful—almost not human. Both inside and out."
Sebastian buried his face in his hands, exhausted.
"At last, someone sane on my side," I teased. "My brother's always sighing over some little witch, and she's even worse. Was she that boring in high school? Always crying and whining?"
Hannah shook her head. "Not that bad. Worse is her friend. You wouldn't last a minute with her. Bet you haven't even met her. She's seriously insane."
Sebastian gaped at her, stunned. She was talking to me like I was an old acquaintance, while I held her prisoner.
Was this her way of gaining my trust?
"You're really something," I admitted. "But I don't like that you helped them escape."
I wagged a finger at her. "Was it worth all this suffering?"
She shrugged defiantly. "Who said I'm suffering? Maybe it's destiny. Are you some kind of Mafioso?"
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"If so," she added, "destiny can screw me. Have you seen '365 Days'? I've always dreamed of being kidnapped by a sexy, bad boy."
I smirked. "I don't watch TV, but that plot sounds interesting."
She stood, pretending to take a bow. "I'm a good actress. I could give you scene after scene, but you'd think I'm just performing. So here's the truth."
"We make a perfect duo then," I said, rising from my chair opposite her. "I'm a good actor too. Shame I wasted the talent."
I stretched, noticing Sebastian watching me with worry.
"Don't think you can charm me so easily with your charisma," I warned. "You're unique, but no more than I am."
I stepped closer and pinched her chin between my fingers, my eyes wild.
"Boss, please don't hurt her," Sebastian pleaded softly, pity in his gaze. "It's not her fault. I'm the one who helped Selena and Felix escape. I convinced them."
A dark smile twisted on my lips as I released Hannah and turned to my so-called trusted man.
"I was waiting for you to confess, bastard," I hissed through clenched teeth. "Now I have a reason to kill you."