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He doesn’t create the doubt. He weaponizes it. And sometimes, I lose track of where the world ends, and he begins.
Staring at him now, I see just how much poison he’s filled with, and it causes me a moment of clarity I haven’t had yet. Whatever part of me still answers to him; she needs to remember her own power.
I don’t give him the satisfaction of defending my “shameful” behavior. That’s what he wants. I just turn and walk to the call panel by the elevator, jabbing the button for the doorman. When he answers, I ask him to come up.
“What the fuck are you doing?” James barks, storming toward me.
“We’re done here.”
He doesn’t stop. Still doesn’t listen. His hand clamps down on my bicep, hard, and he yanks me around to face him. “We won’t ever be done,” he bites out.
The shock of it hits me first. Then the anger. No one touches me without permission.
“Take. Your. Hands. Off. Me.” My voice doesn’t rise. Doesn’t tremble. It’s quiet, lethal, and final.
James has never touched me like this before and he drops his hand like he just realized he was touching something sharp. Confusion flickers in his eyes, then disbelief. He searches my face like he’s trying to find the version of me he could control. But she’s not there anymore. And he knows it.
The arrogance slips. Just for a second. Just long enough for something else to break through. Fear. Real sinking fear that he’s finally lost his hold over me.
“You don’t mean that,” he says.
I hold his gaze.
I don’t flinch.
I don’t speak.
And heseesit.
I am so done.
The elevator dings and Dan appears. “Hey, Amelia.” He flashes me his usual cheery smile. “What’s up?”
“Dan,” I say, my voice cool. “Mr. Kensington was just leaving.”
His smile falters. His eyes flick from me to James, then back again. He catches the tension immediately. “Understood.”
He steps forward, subtly positioning himself between us. “Sir, I’ll walk you down.”
As James moves, slower than necessary, I add, “And Dan? From now on, Mr. Kensington doesn’t come up unless I’ve personally approved it.”
Dan gives a short nod. “Got it.”
James doesn’t say a word as he steps into the elevator.
I don’t look away until the doors close between us.
The second they seal shut, my knees almost give out. I don’t let them. I stay exactly where I am, spine straight, jaw locked, hands clenched at my sides.
My skin still buzzes where he grabbed me. Not from pain. From rage. From disbelief.
I close my eyes.
Breathe.
Just once.
And then I walk back into my home like I haven’t spent the last hour ripping my insides out just to protect myself.