Elias’s POV
“I want you as far away from me as possible,” Alina’s voice quivered, laced with raw terror. Her eyes darted to the door, then back to me, panic flooding her features. “How could I be so stupid not to change the lock?” she whispered, retreating until her heels scraped against the floor.
“Alina, please, just listen.” My voice cracked, desperation strangling each word as I inched forward. “I won’t hurt you. I just… I just need you to hear me out.”
She shook her head violently, tears welling. “Don’t you get it, Elias? I don’t want to hear anything from you!” Her back slammed against the wall with a dull thud. The terror in her eyes burned me alive.
Then she screamed. “Help! Help!”
My heart lurched. My eyes widened, and in blind panic I clamped a hand over her mouth. “Alina, s
