Semua Bab Demon's Obsession - I'm Bound to Him: Bab 171 - Bab 180

My words dissolved into sobs, my chest heaving as I clung to her hands like they were my last tether to sanity. My grief spilled over, raw and merciless, my sobs morphing into broken hiccups as Jade pulled me into her arms. She held me tightly, her presence a quiet balm to the storm raging inside me, even as I wished for the impossible: to erase love itself.“I can’t do that, I’m afraid,” she said firmly, her lips pressing into a thin line as she spoke, her tone cutting through the air with a conviction that was impossible to ignore. She gave a slight, almost subtle shake of her head, her eyes narrowing. “What you mistake for weakness, what you think will break you, will instead become the very strength you need, even if you can't see it yet."Her gaze softened, and she reached up to gently lift my chin, forcing me to meet her eyes. There was a vulnerability there, an unspoken sorrow that flickered in the depths of her gaze. It was almost as though she were seeing something within me

He sat with us in the house for a while before the doorbell rang, its ringing slicing through the heavy silence like a blade. Jade moved to answer it, and moments later, a group of women stepped inside. They entered with an air of authority, their presence filling the room instantly. The first woman caught my attention with her striking appearance—Petra. Her long, silky hair, streaked with caramel highlights, framed her face flawlessly. She was African-American, with a polished elegance that spoke of special care. Everything about her—from her perfectly arched brows to her pristine nails—suggested that she spared no expense when it came to herself. In stark contrast to Jade’s natural, effortless beauty, Petra seemed like someone who viewed herself as a canvas, and the world her audience. Behind her was another woman, Agnes. Her appearance was a study in contrasts. She was white, thin, and clearly older, with short, curled bob hair that was a mix of more gray and less brown. The si

It wasn’t just the sound of the name. It was *how* he said it—soft, deliberate, laced with an accent so painfully familiar it twisted my heart in ways I couldn’t explain. The voice was calm, measured, and hauntingly perfect. He had studied Evan well, perhaps too well. I clenched my jaw, my nails digging into my palm as I forced a weak smile. “Don’t try to manipulate me,” I said, my voice steady despite the tears threatening to escape. There was a pause, brief but heavy, and then his tone shifted—still calm, but now laced with something darker, something that crawled under my skin. “Then why did you call me?” he asked, his words striking a nerve I didn’t want to acknowledge. “I…” My voice caught in my throat for a moment before I forced myself to continue, my throat tight with emotion. “I just wanted to hear his voice… one last time.” The admission slipped out, each word carrying the weight of unshed tears. He didn’t hesitate, his tone smooth and infuriatingly controlled. “And

Her voice cracked as she continued, her vulnerability laid bare. “But then, that night...” She paused, her breath hitching, unable to say more. “That night made me realize something. It’s a burden to be you—a burden that no one would willingly carry.”Her hand trembled as she placed the mug down on the table, unable to hold it any longer. “You deserve love, Julia,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Because you’re the kind of person who’s so rare in this world. You’ve been nothing but kind, even when I didn’t deserve it.”Tears began to roll down her cheeks, unchecked and unapologetic. “I broke your trust,” she continued. “I broke your heart. And yet... when I needed you, you were there. Every time I was slipping away, every time I thought I was beyond saving, you pulled me back. And how did I repay you?” She swallowed hard, her voice thick with emotion. “I stabbed you in the back.”She pressed her lips together, as if trying to hold back more words, but the tears continued

I dropped my gaze to the floor, my fingers tightening around the edge of the book. I couldn’t find the words to respond. How could I? The pain in my chest swelled, too big, too raw. “You know,” he continued, his voice softer now, “I’m still new to all of this, but… I don’t think what you two had was a spell.” Those words jolted me, forcing my eyes to meet his. There was something steady and earnest in his expression, something that held me there even as my throat tightened and my vision blurred with tears. He gave a small shrug, a gesture almost awkward but kind. “Consider me your friend. Or… a brother, if that’s easier—” Before he could finish, I couldn’t hold it back anymore. I lunged forward, clinging to him as the dam broke. Silent sobs wracked my body, spilling out all the pain I’d tried so desperately to suppress. “It’s okay,” he murmured, his arms circling me hesitantly at first, then more firmly. He rubbed slow circles on my back, his voice low and soothing. “It’s ok