Page 45 of Captive Bride

He looks at me with compassion, like he understands. And then he takes his leave, and I’m just alone.

I walk around the room, thinking about what this means. I don’t know what will happen to me here. I don’t know if I’m in grave danger or not.

One thing I do know is that the war has begun. It’s a war that’s been building between two families for decades. There have been battles before, but with me being taken, things are going to catapult to a new level.

And I’ll be right in the middle of it...so will Tristan.

I try to push him out of my mind. I try to tell myself that I don’t care about him. But I can’t fight what my body is craving.

I want him. Despite my best intentions and despite the fact that he’s my enemy, I need Tristan...inside of me, to penetrate my walls.

And then the intensity of my emotions bear down on me all at once. What am I doing?

I can’t be here. I can’t be with him, nor do I trust him.

I have to get out.

Suddenly, I feel like I can’t breathe. Being essentially imprisoned will do that to a girl.

I fling open the doors to the terrace and walk out onto the little stone balcony.

At least Tristan didn’t think it necessary to lock the windows. I definitely need some fucking air.

I stand outside and the rain is falling. I let it just hit my skin so that I can feel alive, and so that I can feel like things are going to be okay. I allow myself to get drenched by the downpour.

I think of Tristan and how he’s not real, a facade of a man that I fell for.

Again, thoughts of death creep into my mind. I can easily jump from here, then this will all be over.

But then, there would be no more Tristan. And somehow a part of me feels like that would be worse than death.

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