Page 58 of Dark Obsession

“We had to,” Luk replies, his tone firm but regretful. “He’s been keeping it from us, and we couldn’t just let it slide, Elena. You’re our sister, and he’s—”

“He’s what? Not good enough?” I cut in, my voice cold. “Is that what this is about? You trying to control my life again? Telling Grigori he can’t be with me like I’m some fragile little thing who can’t make her own decisions?”

“That’s not what this is,” Lev tries to reason, but I’m not having it.

“Bullshit!” I spit, taking a step closer to them. “You didn’t trust me. You couldn’t handle the fact that I’m not your little helpless sister anymore, so you decided to sabotage the one thing I truly wanted.”

They both look at me, frustration and sadness flickering in their eyes, but I don’t care. My chest heaves, and I can’t shake theintense betrayal I’m feeling.

“So you drove him away?” I ask, my voice trembling with barely controlled fury.

Luk clears his throat, looking uncomfortable. “Elena, he made the decision to leave. We didn’t force him to go.”

“You didn’t have to,” I snap, glaring at both of them. “You made him feel like he wasn’t good enough for me, didn’t you? Like he’s some kind of disgrace for being with me!”

Lev’s jaw tightens. “That’s not what we said.”

“Oh, really?” I’m not buying a word. “What did you say, then? Because it seems like he’s left without so much as a goodbye.”

“Elena, we’re trying to protect you,” Lev says, his voice firm. “You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into. Grigori is… complicated.”

“Complicated?” I laugh bitterly, shaking my head. “You think I don’t know that? You think I haven’t figured it out by now? I know exactly what I’m getting into. I’m not some clueless little girl anymore.”

“Stop twisting this,” Luk says, stepping forward. “We’re not trying to control you. We’re just looking out for you.”

“By treating me like a damn child?” I fire back, feeling my throat tighten with frustration. "I don’t care what you say," I snap. "I’m going to find Grigori. I’m not going to just sit back while he’s out there risking his life alone."

Luk’s face hardens. "Grigori wanted to handle this on his own, Elena. That’s his decision, and we’re respecting it. You should, too."

"Respecting it?" I scoff. "You basically pushed him out! Made him feel like he had no choice but to leave! How’s that for respect?"

"Enough," Lev cuts in. "We know you’re upset, but this isn’t just about you. It’s about keeping all of us safe. Grigori made his choice, and we’re going to let him handle it like he wanted. But we’ll keep you in the loop. "

"Gee, thanks," I say sarcastically, rolling my eyes. "How generous of you to finally let me participate in my own life."

Lev and Luk exchange another look, then Luk sighs.

“You’re staying in the mansion for now. You probably already guessed that."

I glare at both of them, my blood boiling. "Right. Lock me up like a damsel in a tower. That’ll fix everything."

I storm out before they can respond, my hands trembling as I pull out my phone.

Once I get to my room, I sit down, quickly dialing Grigori’s number. It goes straight to voicemail, of course. No surprise there. My heart sinks, but I try texting him instead.

Call me. Please. I need to know you’re okay.

I stare at the screen, waiting for the little dots that indicate a reply to pop up. Nothing. I toss the phone aside helplessly.

There’s a knock on my door and I snap, "What?" before realizing its Alexei.

"Easy, sis. I come in peace," he says, pushing the door open with his trademark smirk.

I roll my eyes. "What do you want?"

"To check on you," he says, leaning against the doorframe. "I overheard some of that conversation downstairs. Seemed pretty intense."

"They’re treating me like a child—again. Like I can’t make my own decisions."

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