All Chapters of A KISS IN THE DARK : EMPIRE OF OBSESSION : Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

••NO POV••"Pretending?" Zachary’s voice cut through the cold night air like a blade, low and edged with mockery. "Be glad that out of mercy on you I behaved well rather than telling your sister all the truth about us…" Ezekiel stood frozen under the dim glow of the restaurant’s exterior lights, the chill seeping deeper into his bones. His fists clenched at his sides, nails digging painfully into his palms as he fought to keep his expression neutral. The image of Ariana’s bright, trusting smile kept flashing in his mind, completely unaware that the man she had hugged so warmly was the same one who treated her brother like a disposable whore. The humiliation burned in his chest, but he swallowed it down like always."Should I be grateful to your acting now?" Ezekiel asked, his voice flat and drained of any fight. "In return of my gratitude, are you expecting anything from me now?" Zachary stepped closer, towering over him with that calm, predatory confidence that made Ezekiel’s st

"Do I have to keep living like this…? Is there really no end?"The thought echoed faintly in Ezekiel’s mind, dull and heavy, like something that had been repeated too many times to still carry surprise."No matter what I do… no matter how hard I try… it always comes back to this."The car door had slammed shut only minutes ago, but the night had already turned cruel.Heavy rain began to fall without warning, sudden and merciless, as if the sky itself had decided to punish him. Ezekiel was sitting on the deserted sidewalk, shoulders slumped, staring at the empty road where the black car had been parked. Within seconds, the downpour soaked through his shirt, plastering the fabric coldly against his skin. His hair clung to his forehead, water streaming down his face, mixing with the tears he could no longer hold back.He didn’t move.He just let it rain."This is what I get… isn’t it?"Shivering violently, he sank back down against the rough wall of the building, knees drawn to his ch

••NO POV••"I don’t think I can…" Ezekiel whispered, shivering as water dripped from him, his eyes swollen and red. "I’m… I’m really tired, Zachary."Zachary didn’t answer with words. Instead, he pulled Ezekiel closer on the wide backseat, the privacy shield fully raised and the car gliding smoothly through the storm.His hands moved with unexpected care, stripping off the wet shirt first, then the pants along with boxers, letting the soaked fabric drop to the floor. Cold air hit Ezekiel’s skin, making him gasp, but Zachary’s large palms immediately followed, rubbing slow, firm circles over his arms and chest, Zachary's cold touch brought shiver through Ezekiel's spine."You’re freezing," Zachary muttered, almost annoyed. He tugged Ezekiel onto his lap so the younger man straddled him, chest to chest. "Stay close."Zachary reached forward and increased the temperature, the chill inside the car slowly fading into a steady warmth.His mouth found Ezekiel’s neck, not biting hard but su

∆EZEKIEL POV∆"How long are you going to be that clumsy?" That voice came out low, calm, and irritatingly composed.The moment those words reached me, I forced myself to look up despite the sharp pain still pulsing through my body.My muscles screamed in protest from the fall, and for a second, I genuinely questioned whether surviving him was somehow worse than the fever itself.Before I could even attempt to push myself up properly, another presence moved quickly."Oh, careful there." A pair of unfamiliar hands reached for me, steady and surprisingly gentle as they helped me up from the floor before I could collapse again."Are you alright?" The voice was different from Zachary’s in every possible way.Lighter, warmer and far too amused for someone witnessing my current humiliation.I blinked, finally managing to focus on the man standing in front of me.He looked around Zachary’s age, perhaps slightly younger, with sharp features, confident posture, and the kind of easy smile tha

∆EZEKIEL POV∆"It's humiliating," I said quietly, my voice barely above a whisper.Zachary’s hand stilled completely on my stomach. I felt his chest rise and fall against my back as he let out a long, heavy sigh."Pets are well fed," he said after a moment, his tone flat but patient, like he was explaining something obvious. "They’re cared for. Looked after with more attention and protection than normal people ever get. They don’t have to worry about anything except belonging to their owner... Isn't that a carefree life anyone would crave for?" I closed my eyes, a bitter taste rising in my throat. "I don't care... I just don’t like it."Another pause. Longer this time.Zachary’s fingers flexed once against my skin before he finally pulled his hand away. "Fine," he agreed, voice low and resigned. "I’ll never call you that again... I'll never ever mention that in front of you again." I hummed softly, unsure what to say. The relief I expected didn’t come. Instead, something heavier se