Chapter 15

I looked at Felix with frightened eyes as I entered the small room I shared with Eve, only to find him blocking the doorway with one foot. Before I could react, he pushed himself inside and grabbed my shoulders, pressing me firmly against the cold wall.

"It hurts. Let me go," I whispered, my voice trembling with growing concern over his strange behavior.

"Not until you answer me honestly," he said, his eyes burning like the eyes of the devil. His piercing gaze cut through me, making my body grow limp with fear. This wasn't the Felix I loved — this was someone else, a stranger consumed by rage. "Why did you ask Mike who he likes? Why do you care if you say you didn't know it was about you?"

I struggled to believe how relentless he was, like a man spiraling out of control.

"It was just a casual question. You're friends, and I wanted to know who the girl was that he liked," I explained, hoping my words would calm him.

He stepped closer, his voice dropping low but laced with venom. "And how did it make you feel to hear that it was you? Did your heart race? Were you excited?"

His questions made me uncomfortable, as if he was probing into parts of me I didn't want to reveal. Felix's behavior was incomprehensible, almost frightening.

"Are you crazy? I don't have any feelings for him. Mike means nothing more than a colleague," I insisted, trying to sound firm despite the shaking in my voice.

His grip tightened around my shoulders.

"Remember, Selena, you belong to me. You've been mine since you helped me back in elementary school, and no one else can have you. Do you understand? You are mine!" His voice rose in anger, and with a sudden slam, his hand hit the wall beside my head.

My heart pounded wildly in my chest. Cold chills ran down my spine, freezing me in place. I could only nod, too scared to speak.

"Yes, Felix," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He released me and strode toward the bed, sitting down with a heavy sigh. He glanced at me briefly before saying, "I think you should go back to your place."

His tone was brittle, and I hesitated.

"No. I'm staying here tonight," he declared sharply, throwing me a furious look that I dared not challenge. "Eve won't come back to you anyway."

His words stung, and a bitter question gnawed at me — did he not trust me?

Muttering under my breath, I replied, "Then don't miss talking to Mike. If you lose a friend over this nonsense, that's your problem."

Felix's eyes flashed dangerously.

"Lose a friend over this? Do you know what you're saying? He likes you, and he hasn't even admitted it! Is that how a best friend acts?" His voice cracked with frustration.

"And how could he tell you if you act like a madman?!" I snapped back, my own voice rising.

He stepped closer, his face inches from mine. "Are you defending him? Are you taking his side over mine?"

I'd had enough. His accusations hit me from every side, and talking to him now was pointless. Alcohol had turned him into someone I barely recognized.

"Let's talk about this in the morning," I pleaded, trying to sidestep him.

But he blocked my way, pressing me against the wall again. "I'm not letting you off that easily."

"I'm tired. I just want to lie down," I said weakly.

"You won't escape now, Selena."

"I'm serious, just let me rest!" I cried, pushing at him.

For the first time, I saw the dark shadow behind the man I loved. My heart ached.

"You just want to run away from the truth," he accused. "You want more time to make up pretty lies for me."

I muttered under my breath, "I'm starting to regret agreeing to this trip."

Felix grabbed my chin and forced me to meet his eyes. "You regret that I wanted to spend more time with you?"

"No, I thought it would be fun — that we'd have a great time together. But now…" My voice broke. "After all this… I just feel disgusted."

He stepped back, his expression softening. "At least you're honest with me."

"How could I lie when you're acting like I cheated on you?" I asked bitterly.

His eyes narrowed. "You won't. And remember, if I can't have you, no one will."

With those chilling words, he left the room, leaving me trembling and alone.

*

When I woke the next morning, the room was empty. Eve was nowhere to be found, and I had no idea where she had spent the night. I desperately needed her now — someone to vent to and to apologize to for the disaster that had unfolded.

Felix's wild, dangerous gaze haunted my thoughts, yet no matter how angry I was, I found I couldn't stay mad at him. The pull of love was stronger than my fear. I wanted to hug him and say I was sorry for triggering his rage.

I understood now why so many women forgive the first unforgivable thing. Love blinds them — or maybe only fools like me.

I picked up my phone and saw no messages from Felix. Unable to bear the silence, I texted him first.

"Can we talk?"

"I'm at breakfast. Everyone's here except you. You should come before we leave to explore the city."

Hurrying to get ready, I glanced at my reflection — puffy eyes and tear-streaked cheeks betrayed my sleepless night. I braced myself for the stares I would get today. Rumors spread fast.

In the hallway, I ran into Mike. He looked as worn as I felt — worried about his friendship with Felix.

About Felix's absence, Mike said nothing. The tension was thick.

"Are you okay?" I asked quietly, feeling guilty. "I'm sorry. It's my fault. I shouldn't have asked that question."

"You did nothing wrong," Mike reassured me. "Felix lost control."

I gave a sad smile.

"Did he come back last night?"

"Yes, but he ignored me completely. It's like I don't exist. I'm afraid he might never forgive me." His voice was heavy. "He's my best friend."

"He will forgive you. You matter to him," I said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder.

He pulled away quickly, eyes darkening. I knew why — the truth I dared not say aloud.

"We shouldn't go to breakfast together," he murmured. "Felix would only get angrier. You should go first. I'll join later."

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. The guilt weighed on me — Mike might say otherwise, but I knew it was my fault.

I had started the fire that night, and now I was left to watch it burn.

*

I felt like a monkey in a zoo. Literally. Sitting next to Felix at the crowded breakfast table, I could sense dozens of curious eyes fixed on us. Whispers and sideways glances swirled around like an invisible storm. But no matter how hard I looked, I couldn't spot Eve or Sebastian anywhere. Where on earth had they disappeared to?

"I don't think I'm going to swallow a single bite," I muttered under my breath, my appetite completely gone.

Felix, unfazed, piled more vegetables onto my plate. I looked up at him with a puzzled expression. Was this his way of apologizing? Was he trying to force me into some false normalcy?

"Eat," he said firmly. "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And we can't talk now — there are too many eyes on us."

I didn't respond. Instead, I shoved a few bites of food into my mouth, desperate to silence the awkward tension between us and perhaps make him leave me alone.

We had barely settled when Eve appeared, flanked by Sebastian and Mike. A classmate held Eve's hand, and instantly, new gossip ignited like dry tinder among the students nearby.

For so long, Eve and Sebastian had teased each other mercilessly, but now it was clear—they had each other's backs.

Eve's eyes widened when Mike broke away from the group at the buffet and sat alone at an empty table. She glanced at me with unmistakable surprise. I already knew she wouldn't let me off easy until I spilled everything.

"What's wrong with my soulmate?" she asked, sliding into the seat beside Sebastian and me. "Why does he look like some demon drained all the life out of him?"

I shot a glance at Felix and muttered, "I'm definitely not that demon."

She immediately caught on. Something had happened after she left the room with her friend.

"So, who's his crush?" she asked without hesitation, unable to hold her tongue. Her words hit Felix like a match to dry grass.

"Well, I guess you knew Mike had a crush on Selena?" she said smugly.

Felix's eyes darkened.

"Of course he did. How else would he tell you about it if his crush was on your staff? Of course, he wanted to keep it from you." She snorted, dismissing the angry glare Felix aimed her way. "Don't kill me with your eyes. I wonder if you'd just tell him if you fell for his girlfriend. The heart doesn't obey orders. Selena's charming — she draws guys in like a magnet. Everyone wants her."

I wanted to slam her head into the table, but before I could react, Felix sprang up with a sudden burst of anger and accidentally knocked a plate off the table. His furious gaze pinned my friend like a dagger — if looks could kill, she'd be dead.

The chatter around us grew louder as people gawked at the furious Felix making his way to the exit. When he passed Mike, he stopped briefly and threw him a sharp, warning look. I feared a confrontation, but Felix turned and left without a word.

I shot Eve a pointed glare. "Are you crazy? I was supposed to talk to him, and you just reignited an already smoldering fire. Thanks a lot."

"He shouldn't have acted like that. He's overreacting."

"I know he's overreacting, but he's jealous. You could have kept your mouth shut."

"To me, it seems he's overly possessive. I don't know him well enough to judge, but his behavior is not normal," Sebastian said quietly. "Mike's his best friend, and he's acting like you betrayed him."

I snapped back angrily, "You'd better bite your tongue before you say anything. You have no right to call him that." I stood up quickly, my patience snapping. I headed toward the exit with fast, determined steps. I needed to find Felix and talk to him honestly. I had no idea if that was possible now that he was so enraged, but I couldn't leave him alone.

Outside the restaurant, I was caught off guard when Felix suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me close. I stumbled into his arms, and he squeezed me so tightly that I struggled to catch my breath.

"Promise me something," he said in a broken voice, on the verge of tears. "No matter what happens, you'll never leave me, Selena. Just promise me that."

"Of course I won't leave you, Felix." His hold tightened, and he pressed his face into my hair. "I will never leave you."

I ran my hand soothingly over his back, trying to calm his stormy emotions. "I promise you. Always."