Chereads / Shadowofus / Chapter 158 - CHAPTERS 158

Chapter 158 - CHAPTERS 158

Felix watches Debbie's retreating figure, his chest

tight with a mix of frustration and regret. He opens

his mouth to speak but finds no words. He knows

he's hurt her, and the thought stabs deeper than

he's willing to admit.

Pasco, his fists still clenched, glares at Felix. "You

don't get it, do you? This isn't about her choices.

It's about you manipulating her. Your powers, your

influence… You're not the only one who's hurting

here."

Felix turns to face Pasco, his expression cold.

"Manipulating? You're the one who's been

controlling everything around her. You think

jealousy makes you a better choice, Pasco? If

anything, it only proves how little you truly understand her."

The silence between them deepens, heavy with the

weight of their words, and Felix's voice softens,

though still tinged with anger. "Debbie isn't a prize

to be fought over. She's not some trophy for either

of us to claim. If you cared about her at all, you'd

stop seeing her like that."

Pasco's eyes flicker with doubt, but he doesn't back

down. "And you think you're the one who knows

what's best for her? Because of some stupid

connection?"

Felix steps closer, his anger bubbling to the surface

again. "It's not about the connection. It's about

trust, respect, and understanding what she needs.

Something neither of us has given her until now."

In that moment, both of them know they are at a

crossroads, each struggling to come to terms with

the reality of their feelings and the stakes of their

actions.

Meanwhile, Debbie walks alone, her heart racing

with the weight of her decision. She feels torn, the

pull of two men who each want something from

her, yet neither truly sees the whole of who she is.

The further she walks, the more the weight of their

expectations feels suffocating.

At the edge of the forest, she stops and looks up at

the sky, searching for clarity. She breathes in

deeply, trying to steady herself. What do I really want? The question echoes in her mind, but the answer remains elusive.

She closes her eyes for a moment, letting the wind

brush against her skin. She feels the pulse of magic

in the air, an invisible thread that ties her to both

Felix and Pasco. But it's not the magic that defines

her—it's her heart, her choices, and the space she

needs to decide.

A rustle behind her causes her to spin around, and

she sees Felix standing at the edge of the clearing,

his eyes soft but filled with an undeniable intensity.

"Debbie," he begins, his voice gentle yet firm. "I

didn't mean to hurt you. But I won't pretend that

what I feel for you is anything but real. I want to be

the one you choose—not because of my abilities,

but because of who I am, and who we are together."

Debbie's breath catches in her throat. His words

touch something deep inside her, but the moment

is fleeting as her mind flashes back to Pasco, his

jealousy, and his desperate need for control.

Before she can answer, Pasco appears from behind the trees, his expression hard, but there's a

vulnerability in his eyes that he's trying to hide.

"I know I've made mistakes," Pasco says, his voice

low. "But I care about you, Debbie. More than I ever

cared about anything. I can change—be better. For

you."

Felix steps forward, his voice sharp but calm. "You

can't change who you are, Pasco. Not for her. Not

for anyone."

Debbie stands between them, her heart torn in two.

She turns to face both of them, her resolve

hardening. "You both need to understand

something. I'm not your competition. I'm not going

to choose one of you because of your power or

your promises. I need to know that you'll respect

me for who I am, not just as the woman you're both

obsessed with."

Felix and Pasco fall silent, and Debbie's eyes flash

with the intensity of her emotions. "You both need

to prove to me that you see me as more than just a

prize. I need time. Time to think, to breathe, and to

decide what's right for me."

As the words leave her lips, a powerful calm settles

over her. She knows she's made the right decision,

but the path ahead is uncertain. The forest around

them seems to hold its breath, as if waiting for the

next move.

Felix and Pasco look at each other, finally

understanding that the battle for Debbie's heart

isn't just a matter of will or power. It's about

respect, understanding, and giving her the space

she needs to find herself again.

With one last lingering look, Debbie turns and walks away, leaving behind two men who now understand that the fight for her is far from over. The real battle will be won when she's ready—not before.