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Part 38
The atmosphere in Anna's room was heavy. The sting on her cheek still burned, but what hurt more was the way Ethan had let his anger take control. She sat silently on her bed, hugging her knees, her eyes wet but refusing to let the tears fall.
Ethan stood near the window, his fists clenched, his chest rising and falling rapidly. He wasn't angry anymore, he was… afraid. Afraid of losing her. After a long silence, he turned, his voice low but trembling,
"Anna… I shouldn't have done that. I promised myself I'd never hurt you, and yet… I lost control. I'm sorry."
Anna didn't look at him. Her lips quivered, but she stayed quiet. Ethan walked slowly toward her, kneeling down in front of her, trying to meet her eyes.
"You don't know what happens to me when I see you with someone else. I feel like you'll slip away from me, and I can't… I just can't let that happen. You're mine, Anna."
Finally, Anna lifted her gaze. Her eyes were filled with both anger and pain.
"You think love means control? You think holding me so tight that I can't even breathe will make me stay? Ethan, that's not love… that's fear."
His throat tightened at her words. For a moment, he had no answer. Then, with a deep sigh, he reached for her hand—carefully this time, almost as if he feared she would pull away.
"I know. And I'm trying, Anna. I don't want to lose you. I love you more than I love myself, but… sometimes that love turns into madness. I'll change. Just… don't leave me."
Her heart softened a little. Despite everything, she knew Ethan wasn't lying. His love was intense, raw, maybe even dangerous, but it was real. She slowly let him hold her hand.
"I'm not leaving you, Ethan. But if you keep hurting me like this, one day… you won't recognize the person I become."
He leaned closer, resting his forehead against hers, whispering,
"Then change me, Anna. Be the reason I learn to love without hurting. Just… stay with me."
For the first time that night, she let a tear slip, not out of fear, but out of confusion. She didn't know whether Ethan's love would heal her or break her, but one thing was certain—she couldn't ignore the fire between them.
Ethan pulled her gently into his arms, this time not with force but with desperation. He kissed the top of her head softly and murmured,
"I'll make it up to you… every single day."
And for that moment, Anna let herself believe him.
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