CHAPTER 121

NIKOLAIHis face twists. “And yet you still broke my heart.”I shrug. “People get hurt. I made things clear before we slept together.”His eyes burn. “You made me feel like I mattered.”“No. You decided that all on your own. You chose to live in your fantasies rather than reality.”Theo goes silent after that as his face contorts in pain.I’d pity him if I had a heart. Spoiler alert, I don’t.Even if I have two fucks to give, it won’t be for him, of all people.“You know what bothers me the most?” I ask. “It isn’t even what you did to me. It’s what you did to Julian.”His expression closes off. “Leave him out of this.”“Why? He’s the reason we’re standing here. He wanted to help you. He loved you and would do anything for you. And you weaponized that.”“I didn’t—”“You did.” I push off the wall and step closer until we’re barely an arm’s length apart. “You took advantage of the one person who’d do anything for you because you couldn’t move on.”Theo looks furious now. “I didn’t make h

CHAPTER 122

JULIANIt’s strange how quickly life can change.A few days ago, I had a best friend.A few days ago, I thought I knew who I was. I thought I knew who I could trust. I thought I understood the people around me and more importantly, I thought I understood myself.Now I’m not so sure about any of that.Nothing feels the same anymore.Everywhere I look, there are cracks. In my friendship with Theo. In the memories I have of the last eight years. In the person I thought I was.I keep wondering how much of my life was built on things that weren’t entirely true.Was Theo ever really my best friend?Did he actually care about me?Were there moments when he genuinely put me first, or was I simply too blind to notice that I was always the one giving more?I don't have answers. And perhaps that's the worst part.I used to think knowing the truth would make everything easier. It hasn't. It has only made everything complicated.Some part of me still doesn’t believe it. Sometimes I think maybe I i

CHAPTER 123

JULIANBefore I can utter a word of protest, he starts dragging me along.I don’t want to cause a scene so I follow him. Or at least, that’s what I choose to think.He leads me to an empty lecture room and locks the door behind us.His eyes scan my face as he turns to me, leaning against the closed door.“How are you doing?”I glare at him. “How the fuck do you think? Everything that I thought I knew turned out to be a lie. All thanks to you.”He shrugs. “You’re welcome.”I roll my eyes. Typical Nikolai.Somehow, the fact that he’s the same as he usually is feels weirdly familiar. Comforting, even.I hate that I feel that way.He takes a few steps toward me. “How did your conversation with Theo go?”My expression immediately hardens. “I’m sure you have an idea.”His mouth curves slightly. “So he admitted he lied.”“He admitted he exaggerated what happened between you two.”He doesn’t look surprised. “Of course he did.”“He also admitted he used me.”Something flickers across Nikolai's

CHAPTER 124

JULIANAs much as people advocate going out and breathing some fresh air, you’d think it had some kind of magical cure.But apparently going to a public park doesn’t automatically solve all of your problems.I sit on a bench beneath a large oak tree, watching people pass by as the late afternoon sun filters through the leaves.Despite my lingering melancholy, I can’t deny that it’s peaceful here.It’s better than going home at least.Home used to be somewhere comforting, somewhere I could relax. Now it’s a place that brings a lot of pain and awkwardness. It’s an awful reminder of everything that’s gone wrong with my life.Theo is there. I’m there. And it couldn’t be more awkward. Neither of us knows what to say to the other.We barely speak. We pass each other in the kitchen and pretend the other person isn't there.Sometimes I hear him walking past my bedroom door. Sometimes I hear him stop.He never knocks.I don't know whether I'm relieved or disappointed.Either way, I don’t want

CHAPTER 125

JULIANHe makes a point of adjusting himself in his jeans.I smack him instantly. “Seriously? We’re surrounded by children, you idiot.”He looks around. “I knew about things like this when I was their age.”“You’re so embarrassing.”I shake my head as I insert a coin and grab the steering wheel..Nikolai takes the space beside me.“I bet you don’t even know how to play,” I say.“I’ll figure it out.”“For the record, I spent most of my time playing these as a kid. Good luck beating me.”He grins as the race begins.As expected, I take the lead but it only takes him moments to catch up.Before I know it, he overtakes me and takes the lead.“How…”“Natural talent.”I glance at him briefly. “You’ve played this before, haven’t you?”“Maybe.”“You liar.”He laughs. “I never said I didn’t know how to play. You assumed that.”I feel something in me loosen at the sound of his laughter.I’m trying so hard to cling to my anger, because I’m still mad at him, but it’s difficult.This is the most f

All Chapters of The Devil Who Claimed Me (M x M): Chapter 121 - Chapter 125

CHAPTER 121

CHAPTER 122

CHAPTER 123

CHAPTER 124

CHAPTER 125