Catalina's PovLucien held Inés's body like he was trying to keep her soul from leaving.His shoulders shook. His face was buried in her hair, as blood soaked into his clothes, into his hands, into everything."Lucien," Catalina whispered as she reached out to touch his shoulder.He flinched away from her hand, and looked up. His eyes were wild, red and broken.But then something shifted.The grief in his face started to fade, it was now replaced by something else.His pupils dilated and his jaw clenched."No," Catalina breathed. "No, stay with me."But she could see it happening. The programming was reasserting itself, pulling him back under, and crushing the brief moment of humanity that Inés's death had cracked open.His hands released Inés's body, and let it fall to the floor.He stood slowly. His movements became mechanical again, and he looked at Catalina with no recognition or emotion."Mateo," Catalina called as her voice shook. "Mateo, he's…"Before she could finish her state
Last Updated : 2025-11-16 Read more