THE ONE WHO HOLDS ME.

Volume 3, Chapter 91 – The One Who Holds Me

Vincent's hands were shaking.

He didn't even realize it at first—not until Zane's fingers brushed against his knuckles, his touch warm, grounding.

Vincent flinched.

Cain laughed.

"You always react so beautifully," Cain murmured. "Always so… fragile when it counts."

Vincent snapped his gaze up.

His voice came out raw. "I'm not fragile."

Cain tilted his head, smile deepening. "Then why are you trembling?"

Vincent's breath hitched. His fists clenched.

He needed to step back. Needed to run.

But Zane—

Zane wasn't letting go.

"Vincent," Zane's voice was steady, firm, like an anchor against the chaos. "You don't have to listen to him."

Cain's smirk didn't waver. "He doesn't have to listen," he agreed. "But he does, doesn't he?"

Zane's grip tightened. "Because you've spent years making him think he doesn't have a choice."

Cain exhaled, amused. "And yet, here he is."

Vincent's chest felt too tight.

Because Cain wasn't wrong.

He wasn't here because he had to be.

He wasn't standing still because he had no choice.

He was here because—deep down—a part of him wanted to be.

And Zane?

Zane had always been the only one who never demanded anything from him.

Never asked for more than Vincent was willing to give.

And right now, Zane was looking at him like that again.

Like he was begging Vincent to fight.

Not for Cain.

Not for control.

For himself.

Vincent's pulse was pounding.

The weight of Cain's gaze.

The solid warmth of Zane's touch.

Two people.

Two paths.

And Vincent—standing between them.

"Tell me, Vincent." Cain's voice was silk over steel. "Who are you holding on to?"

Vincent's breath stilled.

Zane's fingers curled tighter around his. A promise. A plea. A tether.

Cain's hand stayed open. Waiting. Knowing. Certain.

Vincent's heart slammed against his ribs.

Because wasn't that the choice?

Wasn't that what had always been waiting for him?

To stay—and keep fighting.

Or to let go—and finally fall.

Zane's voice, quiet. Steady.

"Come back to me."

Cain's smile, dark. Certain.

"You were never his to begin with."

Vincent's fingers twitched.

The world hung in silence.

And then—

He moved.

But which way?