Chapter -4 Boundary By Blood

The air grew colder as Damien's words lingered in the room. "You never had a choice." Each syllable echoed in my mind like a verdict I hadn’t agreed to.

I took a step back, my heart pounding in my chest.

Me: “You’re wrong. I’m not part of this, Damien. I never was.”

His eyes, sharp as broken glass, tracked my every move.

Damien: “Denial won’t save you, Amara.” He tilted his head, his gaze steady. “You can run if you want, but where will you go? Back to the world that forgot you?”

Me: “At least it’s better than staying in a house full of liars.”

That struck a nerve. His eyes darkened, his jaw tightening as he stepped toward me, his slow, measured pace making every muscle in my body tense.

Damien: “Careful, Amara.” His voice was quiet but laced with danger. “You’re in my house now.”

I swallowed hard, refusing to step back any further.

Me: “I didn’t ask to be here.”

Damien: “No, but you came anyway.” He stopped inches from me, his gaze piercing into mine. “And that was your first mistake.”

Silence settled over us, heavy with everything unsaid. My breathing was shallow, but I didn’t let him see the fear coursing through me. I wouldn’t give him that satisfaction.

Me: “If you’re trying to scare me, it’s not working.”

Damien: “Who says I’m trying?”

His eyes bore into mine, a silent challenge between us. I hated how calm he was, how in control. It was maddening.

Me: “You think I’ll stay here, just because you said so?” I lifted my chin, defiance burning through me. “You’re wrong, Damien. I don’t belong to you.”

His hand shot out, gripping my wrist. Not harshly, but firm enough to make me freeze.

Damien: “You keep saying that like it matters.” His voice was low, dangerous. “You think being 'free' means something in a world like this?”

I yanked my hand away, glaring at him.

Me: “I don’t care about your world, Damien. I’m not like you.”

A bitter smile tugged at his lips.

Damien: “Not yet.”

The weight of those words pressed down on me, and for the first time, I felt something unfamiliar twist in my chest. It wasn’t fear. It wasn’t anger. It was something darker. Something I didn’t want to name.

Me: “I’m leaving.” I spun on my heel, determined to put as much distance as possible between us.

Damien: “You can leave the room, Amara.” His voice followed me like a shadow. “But you’ll never leave me.”

I didn’t stop, didn’t look back. But his words stayed with me. Each step I took down the hallway felt heavier than the last.

The walls of the mansion seemed taller now, colder. The air was thick with something I couldn’t name. Paranoia? Guilt? No. It was something worse.

I reached for my phone, my fingers trembling as I stared at the blank screen. No missed calls. No texts. It was as if the world had forgotten I existed.

I typed a message to a number I hadn’t used in months.

Me (Texting): "I’m back. It’s worse than I thought."

I stared at the message for a moment before hitting send. My breath came out shaky, and I leaned against the wall, closing my eyes. I had to stay strong. I had to.

A soft buzz in my hand jolted me. I looked down at the reply.

Unknown Number (Texting): "Leave. Now. Before it’s too late."

Chills raced down my spine. I glanced around, suddenly hyper-aware of every creak in the house, every shadow that flickered.

Me (Texting): "I can’t. He won’t let me."

No reply. Just silence.

My hands grew clammy as I tucked the phone into my pocket. I needed to think, to plan. I didn’t know what game Damien was playing, but I wasn’t about to be his pawn.

I stepped toward the stairs, glancing up at the endless stretch of marble and shadow. Somewhere up there, Damien was waiting. Watching.

I swore under my breath. I didn’t know what I’d walked into, but I knew one thing for sure.

I wasn’t walking out of it unscathed.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***