INK & OBSIDIAN

FRACTURED TRUST

The city became quiet after the war.

Too quiet.

The Viper Clan was destroyed.

Julian's position was stronger than ever.

And yet I couldn't breathe inside the manor.

Every corridor reminded me of the past.

Every Blackwood portrait reminded me of my family.

Every time Julian touched me, I remembered what his father had done.

Love had not erased the truth.

It had made the truth harder to carry.

One night, I packed a bag.

My needles.

My clothes.

My notebooks.

Nothing else.

I walked downstairs.

The front doors opened.

Rain waited outside.

Then Julian stepped from the shadows.

"You can't walk away from this."

I stopped.

"Watch me."

He came closer.

"We're bound together by more than a contract."

"That contract was forced."

"Your magic is running through my veins."

"Because I saved your life."

"If you leave, the curse will return."

I stared at him.

"Then let it."

His face fell.

I immediately regretted the words.

But I couldn't take them back.

"My father lied to me."

Julian remained silent.

"Your father destroyed my family."

"I know."

"I can't live inside a cage built from both our families' sins."

He stepped closer.

"You aren't a prisoner."

"Then let me go."

His eyes filled with something raw.

"Choose your freedom."

He stepped aside.

My hand tightened around my bag.

"Go."

I stared at him.

He looked broken.

But he didn't stop me.

"If you walk out that door," he whispered, "my heart leaves with you."

Tears filled my eyes.

I stepped toward the door.

Then stopped.

Because somewhere deep inside me, I already knew.

I couldn't leave him.

Not yet.