Amara's POV
Back home, the air felt thicker than before—like the walls were pressing in on her, trapping her in the suffocating grip of Damien's obsession. She curled up on her bed, hugging her knees, her mind racing.
How had her life turned into this? Trapped between the brother she once trusted and the version of him that frightened her to the core.
Her phone vibrated on the nightstand. Sophie again.
Sophie: "Everything okay? You left so fast, I'm worried."
Amara stared at the message, her fingers trembling. What was she supposed to say? That she was drowning under the weight of Damien's suffocating love? That her every move felt monitored?
She couldn't tell Sophie the truth. No one could know.
---
Damien's POV
From his office, Damien sat in the dim light, watching the security feed on his laptop. The cameras showed Amara in her room, curled into herself like a wounded bird.
He hated seeing her like this. But she needed to learn—he couldn't afford to let her be reckless, not when every threat out there was waiting to swallow her whole.
He reached for his phone, scrolling through the monitoring app. Her messages were harmless enough—Sophie was annoying but not dangerous. Yet even harmless distractions had to be managed.
Damien's jaw clenched. Amara didn't understand what it took to survive in his world, but he'd teach her. One way or another, she'd see that every move he made was for her safety.
---
Amara's POV
The next morning, Amara stayed in bed long after the sun rose. Exhaustion clung to her, the emotional weight of last night pressing her deeper into the mattress.
She knew Damien was watching—he always was. Even when she couldn't see him, she could feel the ghost of his presence lurking in every corner of her life.
Her stomach churned with dread as she heard his familiar footsteps outside her door.
A knock.
"Amara." Damien's voice was soft, but it carried the same undeniable authority as always. "Come downstairs. We need to talk."
Her heart sank. Conversations with Damien never ended well. But staying in her room wasn't an option, either. He would only come in and drag her out himself if she resisted.
Reluctantly, Amara stood and opened the door.
---
Damien's POV
She looked so small standing in the doorway, her eyes downcast, her body wrapped in hesitation. Damien resisted the urge to pull her into his arms. He knew she would flinch.
He hated that. Hated how afraid she was of him, when everything he did was out of love.
"Come on," he said gently, placing a hand on her back to guide her downstairs. "I made breakfast."
Amara's silence cut deeper than any words could. But he would fix this. He just needed more time.
---
Amara's POV
The scent of eggs and toast filled the kitchen, but Amara had no appetite. She sat at the table, hands folded in her lap, as Damien placed a plate in front of her.
"Eat," he said, sitting across from her.
Amara picked at the food, more out of habit than hunger. The tension between them was thick, and she knew Damien wouldn't let it go until he had his say.
"I don't like it when you lie to me, Amara." His voice was calm, but the warning was clear. "You shouldn't have sneaked out yesterday."
"I just wanted to see Sophie," Amara whispered, her voice barely audible.
Damien's expression hardened. "And what if something had happened? What if someone had hurt you?"
She looked down, biting her lip. "Nothing happened."
"That's not the point." Damien's gaze darkened, his knuckles white as he clenched his fists. "You don't get to take risks like that. Not without me."
---
Damien's POV
Her defiance, however small, stirred something dangerous in Damien. She didn't understand, and it made him want to shake her, to make her see that every reckless move she made was a threat to both of them.
"You think I'm doing this to hurt you?" he asked, his voice low and steady.
Amara's silence was answer enough.
"I'm doing this to protect you, Amara. The world outside isn't safe. It's full of people who want to use you, hurt you."
He leaned closer, his voice soft but deadly serious. "And I won't let that happen. Ever."
Amara swallowed hard, her hands trembling in her lap.
---
Amara's POV
Damien's words sent a chill down her spine. There was something terrifying in the way he talked—like he truly believed she couldn't survive without him. Like his love was a chain wrapped tightly around her, pulling tighter every time she struggled.
"You can't control me forever, Damien," she whispered, though her voice wavered.
His smile was cold, almost pitying. "I don't need forever, Amara. Just long enough for you to realize that you belong with me."
She looked away, her throat burning with unspoken words.
---
Damien's POV
Damien stood, walking around the table to crouch beside Amara's chair. He cupped her face gently, forcing her to meet his gaze.
"I'm not your enemy, Amara," he murmured, brushing his thumb along her cheek. "I'm the only one who will ever love you this much. No one else will ever care the way I do."
Her lips parted as if she wanted to argue, but no sound came out. Damien smiled softly.
"You'll see," he whispered. "Soon enough, you'll understand."
---
Amara's POV
As Damien's words settled over her, Amara felt a wave of hopelessness crash down. How was she supposed to fight against someone who believed his love was the only thing keeping her alive?
Tears stung her eyes, but she blinked them away, refusing to let him see her cry.
"Go to your room," Damien said, his tone gentle but firm. "I'll bring you something to drink in a bit."
Amara stood on shaky legs and made her way upstairs, her heart heavy with the realization that escape might be impossible.
---
Damien's POV
Damien watched her retreat upstairs, satisfaction settling in his chest. She was slipping further into his world, slowly but surely understanding that there was no way out.
He didn't need her to love him now. That would come later.
For now, all that mattered was keeping her close—keeping her safe.
And as long as she stayed under his control, nothing and no one would ever take her away from him.