My heart pounded wildly, like a trapped bird desperate to escape, as I rose from the couch and moved toward the door. I pressed my eye against the peephole and swallowed hard, my throat tightening when I saw Lucas standing there—his entire being radiating fury, like a storm about to break.
A surge of panic swept through me, whispering that maybe this was a terrible mistake. Yet, Felix's health eclipsed all else. I forced myself to steady my breathing, to prepare for whatever was coming.
I took a deep breath and opened the door.
Without a word, Lucas shoved past me, his weight slamming into the wall with a harsh thud. Right behind him stepped a woman I recognized instantly—Hannah. My former classmate. Her eyes met mine briefly, and in them, I saw a mixture of sympathy and a silent warning about what lay ahead.
I followed them into the room, watching Lucas crouch down in front of Felix, who sat on the couch looking smaller and more fragile than ever. The worry in Lucas's eyes was undeniable, but there was something else beneath it—something darker, almost suffocating.
"Felix?" Lucas's voice was low, cautious.
Felix slowly lifted his gaze, tired and burdened with sadness. "Lucas, it was my idea. Don't punish Selena. She only wanted to help me," he said softly, his voice carrying the weight of too many sleepless nights. "I was the one who didn't tell her the truth—that I'm still healing…"
Lucas turned to face me, and in an instant, his eyes transformed into something cold and hostile, sharp as daggers. The sight of that animosity drained the color from my face, leaving me pale and trembling.
"I didn't know. I'm sorry," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't realize he was still on medication… I thought he was healthy. I thought you were the one making him suffer."
Lucas exploded without warning. "You're a hopeless idiot, Selena! Completely clueless!" His words hit me like stones, and I bit my lip hard to keep the tears at bay. I couldn't afford to break down now, not in front of him. "I told you to stay away! I warned you—you're his poison! Before you appeared, he was recovering. Living a normal life with his meds!"
I glanced over at Felix, who looked more broken than I had ever seen him. The walls I'd built around my pain crumbled, and I sank to the floor, pressing my face into my hands to hide the flood of tears.
"Don't judge her, Lucas," Felix's voice was weak, almost lifeless. "We're both to blame."
Hannah stepped forward, her voice calm but firm as she spoke. "Remember, you never told Selena that Felix was still healing. She had every right to think you were the one hurting him."
I raised my tear-streaked eyes to Hannah and felt a flicker of anger. "Why are you meddling? It's none of your business!" Lucas snapped.
"And yet, you brought me along so you wouldn't do something stupid in your anger," she replied coolly.
I stared between them, confused about Hannah's role in all of this. Mike had mentioned once that he'd asked her for help, but I never imagined she'd be involved with Lucas.
"Selena will still face punishment for her reckless behavior," Lucas said, his voice hardening. "The police are on their way."
My breath caught in my throat. Terror and disbelief flooded through me, freezing my limbs.
"Brother, are you accusing Selena of kidnapping?" Felix's voice held concern. "She called you herself. She gave up running. Why punish her? She meant well."
"Shut up, wimp," Lucas spat, fury overtaking his care. "You're sick. No one will listen to your excuses. Only punishment will keep her away from you."
"Let her go, please," Felix begged. "I promise I'll stay away from her. You were right, brother. But I had to learn for myself. Don't punish her."
His words cut me deeper than any insult. I had dreamed of us — of love, of happiness — but now I saw the bitter truth: I was just as toxic as Felix. Except I wasn't sick. And that realization was even more painful.
Completely broken, I slid down the wall and curled up on the floor, pain and hopelessness flooding my vision.
Lucas's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he looked between Felix and me, savoring my despair.
"Let her go," Hannah said sharply. "She's suffered enough. You have your cousin back."
The sharp chime of the doorbell cut through the tense silence. I knew who stood outside, waiting to handcuff me.
I was numb. Frozen.
"Brother, please," Felix gripped Lucas's arm as he stood. "Don't punish her. She left everything for me, and I repaid her badly…"
Lucas studied Felix for a long moment, then turned his gaze back to me.
"True," he said grudgingly. "That's punishment enough for her foolishness. Drop the charge."
Hannah's eyes softened with relief.
Without another word, Lucas moved to the door and opened it, letting the police officers inside. My heart plummeted. I thought this was the end — that my life was over.
"I apologize for the trouble," Lucas told the officers, voice steady. "Please inform your supervisor that I wish to withdraw the charge. There's been a misunderstanding. My brother is back. Selena is innocent. She helped find him."
Even Hannah looked stunned by his words. Felix closed his eyes, a sigh of relief escaping him.
"I think she should be taken to the station for questioning," one officer said hesitantly.
"No need," Lucas cut in firmly. "Tell your supervisor I'll explain everything over coffee."
The officers nodded and left, glancing once more at us as they went.
Lucas passed by me, but then abruptly stopped and looked down at me.
"Next time, there will be no mercy. I won't retract the charge again. Consider this your warning, Selena."
"Thank you," I whispered, remorse thick in my voice.
He walked to Felix and took his hand gently.
"Time to go home."
Felix didn't resist. Slowly, he rose from the couch, threw me one last despondent glance, and murmured, "I don't deserve your love. Never did."
They left.
Hannah crouched beside me, her hand resting gently on my shoulder.
"It's not over," she said softly. "You'll fight for each other. Be strong. I know what kind of bastard Lucas really is."
She left, closing the door behind her with a quiet click.
Alone, I curled against the wall and let the tears fall freely. My heart ached, my soul shattered.
I was drowning in pain.
But why did my heart still scream that I loved him?
*
From Felix's perspective
I felt like dying. The worst emotions crashed over me like an unstoppable wave, leaving me utterly drained. There was no strength left inside me—not even enough to protect Selena, to care for her, even though my love for her still burned fiercely.
How could it be that with her, I was no longer happy?
I couldn't make sense of myself. She had been my entire world before—my obsession, my constant thought, the ache I carried every day we were apart. And now, after just a few days together, I felt… exhausted by her presence.
Was I simply worn out by this love? By the endless struggle to keep us together?
I knew how deeply I had hurt her, but maybe we needed distance. A break. Because I was losing the will to live. And I understood, painfully, that we might never be happy. Because I was broken, and I would never fully heal. That thought alone made me want to keep my distance—to spare her from my darkness.
For the first time, I could think of her—not myself. I wanted her to be happy. To find joy away from me. To start a new life with someone else, someone who could give her the happiness I no longer could.
I stared blankly out the car window, my eyes glazed and heavy with despair. The cold glass was like a barrier between me and the world. Lucas was driving, his hands firm on the wheel. Hannah sat silently beside him.
I didn't know what she was doing with him. Maybe Lucas had forced her into something. But at this moment, I didn't care. All I wanted was to lock myself in a room, crawl into bed, and disappear—fall asleep and never wake.
"Felix?" Lucas's voice broke through my fog as he glanced at me through the rearview mirror.
I didn't respond.
"Tomorrow, I'm taking you to a psychiatrist," he said again.
"Go yourself," I muttered without turning to look. "You need it more than I do."
Hannah finally spoke, her tone calm but pointed. "I think you both need help."
I noticed Lucas shoot her a sharp, angry look.
"Are you implying something? There's nothing wrong with me," Lucas snapped.
I smiled bitterly to myself but said nothing. I didn't have the energy to argue.
"In my opinion, you have a worse problem than your brother," Hannah said quietly. "There's so much hatred and aggression in you—you're dangerous. That's why I stay by your side, obediently. Because I'm scared of you."
Lucas's jaw tightened.
"I didn't force you," he said coldly. "You wanted the luxury—like all the others."
"If I refused, you'd make my life hell," Hannah answered calmly. "You hate it when people oppose you. Everything has to be your way."
Without warning, Lucas pulled the car to the side of the road. He turned and gave Hannah a hard, meaningful look.
"Get out," he said sharply. "And never show your face to me again."
I watched as shock flashed across Hannah's face.
"In the middle of the night, you're throwing me out on a street I don't know?"
"You wanted freedom. I'm just giving it to you," Lucas said, voice cold and final. "I'm showing you I'm not forcing you. The way is free."
Hannah gave him one last offended glare, then opened the door and stepped out. Through the glass, she flipped him the middle finger, but Lucas didn't react. His lips pressed tightly together, and with a screech of tires, he drove off, leaving her alone—abandoned with nothing but the night.
Why did he just let her go like that? That wasn't like him at all…