Appetite for Control

What She Sees

Kai didn’t expect to see her again that soon.

But when he stepped outside later that evening— she was there.

Standing near the edge of the garden.

Looking out like she had all the time in the world.

The air was cooler now.

Quieter.

But something about her presence— made it feel anything but calm.

Kai slowed.

Watching her for a second.

Then— “…You don’t leave easily, do you?”

Selena didn’t turn immediately.

A small smile touched her lips.

“…You don’t either.”

Kai stepped closer.

“…I live here.”

She turned then.

Looking at him fully.

“…For now,” she said.

That again.

Kai crossed his arms lightly.

“…You keep saying that.”

Selena tilted her head slightly.

“…Because it’s true.”

Silence settled between them.

But this time— it wasn’t tense.

It was… curious.

Kai studied her.

“…Why are you still here?”

A pause.

Then— “…Because I wanted to see something.”

Kai frowned slightly.

“…What?”

Selena’s gaze held his.

“…You.”

That— that caught him off guard.

Kai blinked once.

“…That’s not a good reason.”

She smiled softly.

“…It’s more than enough.”

A quiet pause followed.

Kai shifted slightly.

“…You already decided you like me.”

Selena laughed quietly.

“I did.”

A beat.

“…And I still do.”

Kai let out a breath.

“…That’s a problem.”

Selena raised an eyebrow.

“…For who?”

Kai didn’t answer immediately.

Because that— that wasn’t simple.

“…For him,” he said finally.

That shifted something.

Selena’s expression changed slightly.

Not dramatic.

But noticeable.

“…You’re starting to see it,” she said.

Kai frowned.

“…See what?”

She stepped closer.

Not too close.

But enough.

“The way he reacts to you.”

Silence.

Because that— that wasn’t something Kai had said out loud.

“…You don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

Selena smiled faintly.

“…I know him.”

A pause.

Then— “I know exactly how he looks at things he doesn’t want.”

That— that hit.

Kai’s chest tightened slightly.

“…And what does that look like?”

Selena held his gaze.

“…Like he’s trying not to lose control.”

Silence.

Because that— was too accurate.

Kai looked away for a second.

“…He doesn’t lose control.”

Selena’s voice softened slightly.

“…He does.”

A beat.

“…He just hides it better than most.”

Kai exhaled slowly.

“…You talk like you’ve seen it.”

A pause.

Then— “I have.”

That answer carried weight.

Kai looked back at her.

“…Then why aren’t you with him anymore?”

That— that shifted the air.

Selena didn’t answer immediately.

For the first time— she hesitated.

“…Because control has a cost,” she said quietly.

That line— landed deeper than anything else.

Kai frowned slightly.

“…What does that mean?”

Selena’s gaze softened.

“…It means he chooses control over everything else.”

A pause.

Then— “…Even when it matters.”

Silence.

Kai felt that.

Because it explained something.

The distance.

The way Adrian pulled back every time things got close.

“…And you left because of that?” Kai asked.

Selena smiled faintly.

“…No.”

A beat.

“…I left because I refused to stay where I wasn’t chosen.”

That— that stayed.

Kai didn’t respond immediately.

Because that— that was too real.

Selena watched him carefully.

“…Don’t let him do the same thing to you,” she said softly.

Kai frowned slightly.

“…You think I’m staying for him?”

Selena’s smile returned.

“…I think you’re already involved.”

A pause.

Then— “…Whether you admit it or not.”

Silence.

Because that— that was true.

Kai exhaled slowly.

“…You’re not trying to stop it.”

Selena tilted her head slightly.

“…Should I?”

Kai hesitated.

“…Maybe,” he said.

She smiled.

But this time— it was softer.

More genuine.

“…I don’t think you want me to.”

That— that wasn’t wrong.

Kai looked at her for a moment longer.

Then— “…You’re dangerous.”

Selena laughed softly.

“…No,” she said.

A beat.

“…I’m honest.”

That— that might have been worse.

She stepped back slightly.

Creating distance again.

“…Just don’t lose yourself trying to understand him,” she added.

Kai frowned.

“…And you didn’t?”

A pause.

Then— “…Not completely.”

That answer— wasn’t reassuring.

Selena turned.

Walking away slowly.

Before she disappeared— she spoke one last time.

“…He’s already closer to the edge than you think.”

And then— she was gone.

Kai stood there.

Still.

Thinking.

Because now— he understood something.

This wasn’t just tension.

This wasn’t just attraction.

This was something that could pull both of them apart— or pull them

too close to step away from.

And either way— there was a cost.

End of Chapter Seventeen