That night, Deviana sat at the edge of her bed, her gaze vacant. The dim light of the room cast shadows across her weary face. In her hand, her phone buzzed relentlessly—messages from Devandra, terse lines filled with commands and prohibitions.

> “Don’t see Adrian again.”

“I don’t want him near you.”

“Remember, you’re mine.”

Each word tightened the knot in her chest. She knew Devandra was protecting her in his own way, but lately his behavior had grown more suffocating, more possessive. As if she were an object that belonged to him alone, untouchable by anyone else.

And yet, deep within her heart, Adrian’s image kept resurfacing. The regret...