The sky stretched endlessly above, a canvas of deep indigo and violet, with the last hints of sunset clinging to the horizon. Stars twinkled faintly like distant whispers, offering little comfort to Savannah as she stood still on her bedroom balcony.
The cool night breeze played with her hair, strands swirling around her face as she gripped the railing tightly, her knuckles turning white. Below, the vast garden was bathed in silvery moonlight, casting long, eerie shadows across the neatly trimmed hedges and towering trees.
But Savannah wasn't focused on the view.
Her mind was stuck, trapped in an endless loop of the conversation she had with Elijah just hours earlier.
She could still hear the weight of his voice, raw with an emotion she had never encountered before.
"I don't know!" Elijah had blurted out, his frustration evident. "Since you were abducted, I haven't seen him. The last time was that morning-before you disappeared."
Savannah had frozen at his words, her breath hitching in her throat.
"And..." Elijah paused.
Her heart raced, fear gripping her like a cold fist.
"And?" she had urged, her voice trembling more than she had intended.
Her nails dug into her palms, the pain anchoring her as dread twisted in her stomach like a living creature.
Elijah took a sharp breath, his shoulders lifting before he let out a heavy sigh, grappling with the words he was about to share.
"We were all given strict instructions," he finally confessed, his voice dropping as if just saying it was a risk. "Not to talk about him. And to tell you that..."
Savannah's heart raced, pounding against her ribs, her whole body tensing up.
"Tell me what?" she had wanted to scream, but her voice came out barely above a whisper.
"He's no longer with us."
The air seemed to vanish from Savannah's lungs.
"Believe he's dead."
And just like that, everything inside her had shattered.
A single tear slipped down her cheek, silent and unexpected, quickly followed by more. She tried to stop them, to push back against the crushing weight of his words, but she felt utterly powerless.
Elijah watched her, his face shadowed with grief, his fists clenched as if her pain was a physical blow to him.
After that, Savannah barely registered anything.
Now, standing alone on the balcony, the memory replayed in her mind, each cycle a fresh wound that cut deeper than the last.
Her breath was shaky, her whole body trembling under the heavy burden of grief, confusion, and betrayal.
The truth had come out.
Or at least, a version of it.
But was it, the real truth?
Or just another carefully crafted lie designed to keep her in the dark?
Her hands balled into fists, nails digging into her skin as her thoughts spiraled out of control.
She felt nauseous.
She felt dirty.
A sick, twisted feeling gnawed at her insides, making her want to tear off her own skin, as if that could somehow free her from the betrayal that was sinking deep into her bones.
Her nails pressed harder, leaving crescent-shaped imprints on her arms. But she didn't feel the pain.
She didn't feel anything.
There she stood, motionless.
A voice called out to her from behind.
"Ana."
She didn't budge.
Didn't react.
Just stood there, staring blankly into the distance.
His deep, smooth voice cut through the stillness of the night, tinged with concern.
"Ana?" he tried again.
He was closer now. She could sense his presence behind her, his warmth a stark contrast to the cold emptiness that was consuming her.
Yet, she remained unmoved.
No acknowledgment.
Blaze took another step forward, his brows knitted together as unease flickered across his usually calm face.
Savannah had never ignored him.
Something was definitely off.
Gently, he reached out—but just before he could touch her, she finally turned.
A bright smile spread across her lips.
"Why are you so late?" she asked, her voice light, playful completely at odds with the storm raging within her.
Blaze blinked, momentarily taken aback by her sudden change. Just moments ago, she had been so still, almost unresponsive. Now, she was smiling at him with that familiar warmth he cherished.
But something felt... off.
Blaze shook off the unsettling thought, trying to push down the unease creeping up his spine.
"I got caught up in a meeting," he said smoothly, his voice soft and reassuring. "I'm sorry, Ana."
He lifted his large hands, gently cradling her delicate face. His thumbs brushed lightly against her cheeks as he looked into her eyes, searching for any hint—anything—that could explain the strange feeling gnawing at him.
Savannah tilted her head slightly, locking eyes with him.
And for a brief moment, she saw it—the same love in his gaze that had always been there.
The same devotion that once made her feel so safe.
But then, Anastasia's words echoed in her mind, slicing through the moment.
"He loves you, Savannah. There's no doubt in that. He deeply loves you."
"He is the most loyal man I've ever seen."
Savannah felt her breath hitch, her arms tightening around Blaze's waist as she wrapped herself around him, pressing her face against his chest.
"But don't let his love cloud your judgment when it comes to finding the truth."
"His love is manipulative."
Those words slithered into her mind, coiling around her thoughts like a snake, whispering doubts and truths she could no longer push aside.
Her fingers dug into the fabric of his suit, clinging to him as if grasping something real—something solid—would prevent her from tumbling into the void of uncertainty.
Blaze's heart beat steadily beneath her ear, its rhythm strong and comforting.
Familiar.
Deceptive.
Yet, she held on tight.
Because at that moment, she couldn't decide which was more frightening—
The chance that Elijah might have been right.
Or the dread that everything she believed about Blaze was a complete fabrication.
Author's Note :
Thankyou for reading<3
Hope y'all have a good day/night <3<3