Lily's POV
The night was heavy with the weight of unspoken words. I had just gotten back from Caleb's place, a night that had left me feeling more uncertain than when I had arrived. We'd spent hours talking, reminiscing about old times, but every word had felt like a reminder of everything I had left behind. Caleb was kind, thoughtful, and earnest in his attempts to make things right, but there was still that piece of me that couldn't go back. A piece that had hardened into something unrecognizable after everything Damien had done.
As I unlocked the door to my apartment, I felt the familiar sensation of eyes on me again. I didn't even need to look. I knew what was waiting for me in the shadows. Damien. He never really went away, did he?
The day he had confronted me in the hallway still echoed in my mind. His grip on my wrist. His words.... He hadn't let go then, and it felt like he never would.
I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. Caleb was right. I couldn't let Damien drag me back into his web. Not again.
But just as the thought passed, I heard the distinct sound of my phone vibrating on the counter. I paused before looking at the screen.
The name that flashed across it made my stomach drop: Damien.
I stared at the phone for a moment, considering not answering. But the curiosity burned through me. What now? What did he want?
I swiped the screen and answered the call, my heart thumping louder with every second.
"Lily," Damien's voice was low, almost predatory. "We need to talk."
I swallowed hard, my hand tightening around the phone. "What more is there to talk about, Damien?" I said, forcing the calmness into my voice. "You had your chance. You blew it."
There was a pause on the other end, a moment of silence, and then his voice came again, colder, more controlled. "You think I'm going to just let you walk away, Lily? You think this is over? You're mine. You always were, and you always will be."
The possessiveness in his tone made my skin crawl, but I forced myself not to react. "No. I'm not yours, Damien. Not anymore. And I never will be."
I heard him exhale, the sound filled with something darker, something dangerous. "You really think you can just move on? You think Caleb's going to give you what you need?"
His words hit like a slap, and I felt the anger rise within me. "You don't know anything about me, Damien. Not anymore."
Another pause. His voice came again, quieter this time, almost pleading. "I'm not letting you go, Lily. No matter what it takes."
I felt the blood drain from my face. It was a threat. A promise. But it was also a warning, and I knew it. I'd been down this road before.
"Don't call me again, Damien," I said, my voice firmer now. "I don't want anything to do with you. Just let me go."
Before he could respond, I ended the call, my hand trembling as I stared at the screen. The words rang in my ears. I'm not letting you go.
I didn't know what to do with that. My instincts told me to shut him out, to block him from my life completely. But a part of me—small and scared—wondered what he would do if I didn't.
I dropped the phone onto the counter and walked into my living room, pacing back and forth. The walls felt like they were closing in on me. Damien had always been like this—possessive, obsessive, manipulative. He had a way of worming his way into your mind, of making you doubt yourself, making you wonder if you were ever really free.
I couldn't let him do that to me again.
I needed to take control back. For good.
I turned to the window, my eyes scanning the city skyline below, the lights twinkling in the distance. That's when I noticed the shadow across the street. A car parked just beyond the edge of my view. It looked familiar—too familiar.
Damien's car.
My breath caught in my throat as the realization hit me like a punch to the stomach. He was outside. Watching. Waiting. Again.
My pulse quickened. I had to act fast. I couldn't stay here. Not with him so close, not with the threat of his presence hanging over me.
I grabbed my phone again, this time sending a message to Caleb, hoping he'd be able to help. Damien is here. He's been watching me again.
Before I could put my phone down, I heard the unmistakable sound of a knock at my door. My heart nearly stopped.
I moved quietly to the peephole and looked out, but I couldn't see anyone. Just as I turned away, my phone buzzed in my hand.
I'm on my way. Stay inside and lock the door. Don't open it to anyone but me.
I felt a flicker of relief, but it was fleeting. The knock at the door came again, more insistent this time, followed by a low, familiar voice.
"Lily," Damien called out, his tone dripping with something dangerous. "I know you're in there. Open the door."
My stomach twisted. I stepped away from the door, my fingers shaking as I turned the lock. But I couldn't just stand there and wait for him to break down the door. I had to think.
I grabbed my keys, my coat, anything that might help me get out of here quickly. My phone buzzed again.
Lily, listen to me. He's dangerous. Don't open the door.
I stood frozen, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. I could hear Damien's voice again, smoother this time, more insidious.
"Lily, come on. Open the door. Let's talk. I promise, I won't hurt you."
But I knew better. His words were always like this—calculated, designed to lure me in, to make me think that if I just gave in, everything would be okay. But it never was.
I glanced toward the window again. His car was still there, the headlights flicking off and on as he waited.
And then, I heard it—the sound of glass shattering.
Damien had broken the window to my living room.
My heart raced as I heard the sound of footsteps approaching from the other side. I didn't have time to think. I didn't have time to wonder what Damien was capable of now.
I ran for the back door, throwing it open as quickly as I could. The cool night air hit my face, and for a split second, I felt a rush of freedom. But I knew I couldn't keep running forever.
As I ran down the alley behind my building, my mind raced with one thought: I couldn't let him catch me again.
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Damien's POV
I watched her run, watched her disappear into the shadows of the alleyway. There was no fear in her movements, no hesitation. She knew I was coming for her, and yet, she still tried to escape.
It didn't matter. She wouldn't get far.
I could feel it. The pull between us. The undeniable truth that no matter how far she ran, she would always be mine.
I smiled, stepping out of the shadows, my eyes gleaming in the dim light..
She had no idea what was coming for her.
She thought she could run. She thought she could hide.
But she would learn, just like everyone else.
You can never escape the darkness. And Lily... Lily was mine.
Always.