"What kind of love do you have for me? Your love is suffocating and doesn't give me any freedom. Slowly but surely, you'll only destroy my life! Do you think with everything you've done, I'll return your feelings? Don't dream, Leon!" He moved closer, until we were only a few steps apart. I could see his jaw tightening and his dark gaze. "I don't care, Clara. Whatever it takes, I'll make sure you stay by my side. Whether you accept it or not, that's not important," Leon said without taking his eyes off me. I laughed bitterly. "You're sick, Leon. I actually feel sorry for you." ________ Nearly ten years of living with Leon, my two-years-older stepbrother, had been enough to make me accustomed to his presence. Since Mom's second marriage, our lives had been intertwined, even though Leon always seemed like a difficult puzzle to solve. Handsome, charismatic, and mysterious, but his protective nature often felt like a burden. Now, at 18 years old, fate seemed to keep us close—attending the same university. But lately, Leon's behavior had become increasingly intense. He not only limited my movement at home but also on campus. Whenever a male friend tried to get close, Leon would always interfere. Whether through subtle words that concealed threats or through direct confrontations that made me lose face. Initially, I thought he was just acting like an overprotective brother. However, slowly I began to realize that behind all this, there was something more significant. His gaze, his attitude, everything started to feel... wrong. There was something about him that made me feel confused and afraid to understand him more deeply. Leon was more than just my stepbrother. But why did I have to think about that? Why?