Emily’s POV
My body seized, gripped by the weight of his words rolling out effortlessly from his lips, each syllable cutting through the air like a knife. His intense gaze held me captive as if daring me to look away. It was as though the atmosphere had constricted around us, leaving only his words echoing in the silence, each sending a shiver down my spine.
“No, he can’t be serious,” I muttered to myself, the disbelief clawing at my throat.
“Or is this his twisted game, a ploy to draw me out and kill me?” I whispered, my voice barely audible against the pounding of my heart. “Yes, it must be. This can’t be real. It’s just his sick game, a tool to mess with me.
“Say yes, Emily,” Jason’s voice was a soft murmur as he delicately tucked loose strands of hair behind my ear, his touch a
