"You look scared," Victor finally said, his voice deep and calm.

"Of course I'm scared! You can't just barge into my house like this!"

Victor gave a faint smirk. "I never needed permission, Vella."

His hand slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out a duplicate key.

Vella's blood ran cold. "Where did you get that?" her voice trembled.

Victor twirled the key on his finger casually. "You should know I always have a key."

Vella's heart pounded; she quickly grabbed her phone from her dress pocket, intending to call someone—but Victor swiftly snatched it and tossed it onto the sofa.

Vella was shocked. She looked up. Instantly, her throat tightened.

Victor looked at her with an indescribable gaze. There was tenderness, but also a darkness lurking behind his eyes.

He stepped closer, forcing Vella further back against the wall.

"Why do you always try to get away from me?" he whispered, his fingers rising to gently touch Vella's hair.

Vella felt her body tremble. She wanted to move away, but something in Victor's gaze held her in place.

Vella knew she had to run. Now.

She gathered her courage, trying to avoid Victor's gaze and move towards the stairs. However, quick as lightning, Victor caught her wrist and pulled her back forcefully.

Vella jolted. "Let me go, Victor!"

But Victor just looked at her with a relaxed expression—as if he was enjoying every bit of panic radiating from Vella's eyes.

"I let you run away once," his voice was deep, full of a dangerous calm. "This time, I won't let you go."

Before Vella could struggle, Victor bent down and lifted her in a bridal carry.

"What are you doing?!" Vella tried to struggle, hitting Victor's shoulder with her fists.

Victor didn't budge an inch. "Taking my wife to where she belongs."

My wife?

Vella shuddered at the term.

Victor's steps were firm as he carried Vella up the stairs, as if he knew this house intimately.

Vella's mind was in chaos. How could Victor know which room was hers?

They had dated, but during their three-year relationship, Vella had never brought him to her family home. Victor had never met her mother, let alone been inside this house.

So... how did he know?

"Victor! Put me down now!" Vella struggled again, but Victor only tightened his hold.

"Stop moving, or I'll drop you," he threatened softly.

Damn.

Vella could only stare wide-eyed as Victor easily pushed open her bedroom door and carried her inside.

The door closed with a soft click.

Vella didn't even have time to say anything before Victor dropped her onto the bed, then pinned her down with his hands on either side of her head.

Vella's breath caught.

Victor was too close.

His gaze was too intense.

"Why is your face so tense, darling?" he whispered softly. "Didn't you miss this?"

Vella turned her face away, trying to avoid the man's gaze. "You're crazy..."

Victor touched her chin, forcing her face back towards his.

"Why did you leave me three years ago?" he asked, his voice deep, cold, and full of tension.

Vella fell silent.

Victor narrowed his eyes. "Say it, Vella."

Vella swallowed, her body tense.

She tried to push against Victor's chest, but the man didn't move an inch.

"You loved me too much… you were too obsessive," Vella finally whispered, admitting something she had tried to forget.

Victor was silent for a moment.

Then, he smiled. A smile Vella couldn't interpret—whether it was angry, satisfied, or worse… anticipating something.

"So you admit it."

Victor's hand moved down Vella's cheek, then to her neck, his fingers touching the pulse beating rapidly.

Vella froze.

"You know, Vella… obsessive people usually never let go of what they have," Victor whispered right into her ear.

---

The Next Morning

As sunlight filtered through the gap in the curtains, Vella slowly opened her eyes.

Her head felt heavy, her body tired, and she still felt like she was in a real-life nightmare.

But what made her startle was Victor lying beside her, his face only inches from Vella's.

The man was still holding her tightly, as if refusing to let her go even in sleep.

How did this happen?

Vella wanted to get up, but the moment she moved even slightly, Victor's arm tightened.

Victor's eyelids opened, and he looked at her with a gaze full of possession.

"Good morning, darling," he whispered in a deep, morning-hoarse voice.

Vella was trapped.

Vella froze.

She almost forgot how to breathe with Victor pressed so closely against her, his arm still wrapped around her waist as if he had full rights over Vella's body.

Their eyes met.

Victor's sharp eyes looked softer in the morning light, but Vella knew… behind that gaze hid something deeper and more dangerous.

Why was he still here?

Vella immediately pushed against Victor's chest with all her strength.

"Get out of my room," she hissed sharply.

Instead of retreating, Victor just gave a faint smile—a smile that made Vella even more wary.

"What's the problem?" he asked casually. "We just slept, right?"

Yes… slept.

Nothing more.

Vella felt a strange sense of relief, although the fact that Victor had slept beside her all night was still something she couldn't accept.

"I'm not yours anymore, Victor," Vella said firmly, trying to establish boundaries between them.

Victor looked at her for a moment, then suddenly… he leaned forward and gently kissed Vella's cheek.

His lips were warm on Vella's skin.

Vella's eyes widened, her heart beating wildly.

"Victor—!"

The man pulled back slowly, a satisfied expression on his face.

"Of course you're not mine," he said in a tone that sounded like a subtle mockery.

Vella felt angry, but also confused.

Why did Victor always act like this? As if their relationship had never ended. As if Vella still belonged to him.

"I'm serious, Victor," Vella said again, trying to remain calm. "What you did last night… and now… it doesn't mean anything. I broke up with you, and I'm not coming back."

Victor didn't answer immediately.

He just stared at Vella… for a long time.

As if gauging how far the woman's patience would stretch before he finally destroyed her bit by bit.

Then, his lips curved into a very dangerous smile.

"Then…" his voice was low, deep, and sounded full of hidden pleasure.

"…how about we go on a honeymoon too?"

Vella's blood ran cold.

What?!

Victor propped his chin on his hand, enjoying Vella's shocked expression.

"Our parents are on their honeymoon. I thought we could do the same."

"Don't joke, Victor."

"I'm not joking," he replied lightly. "I just thought, if you keep insisting on rejecting me, maybe I should make you remember what it's like to be with me."

Vella swallowed.

She knew Victor never said anything without a reason.

And if the man had an intention… then nothing could stop him.