Chapter 48

Andrew

It was never about controlling or owning Poppy's body. Bodies are just flesh and blood; over time, they disintegrate. I wanted memories, a story that would last multiple lifetimes. That's what I will get. Our love will never die.

I remember when I first saw her. It was the day after my father told me he wanted me to marry Kimberly. Dad planned to announce it after I finished graduate school.

I felt trapped, like a pawn on his board.

I wanted my own board to control.

Then I saw Poppy. She was laughing, and her laughter sounded so sweet that, at first, I felt the urge to choke the life out of her. Her head was tipped back, coffee in hand, as she laughed with Harper at the campus coffee shop. A group of guys passed them; Harper, that whore flirted back, but Poppy, well, her pretty face turned red with blush, her eyes cast down in a shy manner.

It was stunning, like watching prey run into a bush to try and escape.

That's when I knew I wanted her. Not Kimberly.

I just had to plan everything out perfectly.

As I seduced Poppy, the power high I felt from controlling her mind was incredibly enticing. It consumed my thoughts. I craved more.

I wanted to make Poppy's thoughts her cage, and then I wanted to open that cage door when I thought she deserved it.

That was the ultimate game.

I won.

I'm the only one who has the key to that cage, and now, without me in her life, Poppy will never be free. Poppy will be locked away, forever tormented by this moment. Those who love her will suffer endlessly as they watch her mind erode. In the end, I'm confident she will decide to leave this world the same way I did. Then, we will finally be together again.