“You think I manipulated you.”
I laughed again softly, mostly because the alternative was to collapse in public and try my eyes out. “I don’t even know what to think right now.”
And that was the worst part. Because underneath the anger and humiliation and panic, some horrible part of me still remembered: him making coffee in my apartment, him fixing my sink, him wrapping blankets around my shoulders without thinking, him kissing me like leaving hurt him too.
That only made everything hurt worse. My demon stepped closer carefully before saying in a low voice, “I never intended to trap you in this.”
“But you still let me fall into it blind.”
An answer never came, but the expression on his face told me more than words would have anyway.
Around us, the atmosphere on the street had shifted completely now. Demons nearby had started whispering openly while others stared at us with the kind of fascination usually reserved for disasters happening in public.
One demon quietly muttered, “Oh this is devastating.”
Another whispered back, “He’s absolutely in love with her.”
“I CAN HEAR YOU,” my demon snapped at him.
The entire street became very interested in minding its own business, which under different circumstances probably would’ve been funny. I glanced back down at the glowing mark on my wrist while a heavy ache settled uncomfortably in my chest.
“You knew from the beginning,” I said quietly. “And you still let me think I was losing my mind every time you acted like we belonged to each other.”
Something in his expression faltered after that because he knew I was right.
The younger brother looked between us carefully before whispering toward Nina, “Should we leave.”
Nina shook her head. “Absolutely not. This is a historic moment .”
“I respect that answer.”
“Thank you.”
I pressed one hand hard against my forehead while trying very hard not to have a breakdown in the middle of Hell.
“This is insane.”
“Yes,” my demon admitted softly.
I searched his face for a moment. “And the worst part is you still seem genuinely sorry.”
“I am sorry.”
That hurt too. Because he really meant it this time.
Chapter 18
Eva POV
For a few seconds nobody on the street spoke at all. Silver flames flickered quietly around us while the crowds nearby continued pretending not to stare directly at the disaster unfolding in public.
Nina finally broke the silence first.
“At this point,” she announced tiredly, “they both need psychological help.”
The younger brother sighed dramatically beside her. “Unfortunately Hell does not believe in therapy.”
“That explains literally everything.”
