28. Chapter 28

Chapter 28

-Alison-

I had never seen Jared's eyes light up like they did in that moment. Clearly, there was a part of him yearning for the simplicity and warmth of family life. It wasn't surprising, given the void he had endured for so long. Perhaps he didn't envision himself as the traditional parent figure, but there was undoubtedly a fragile part of him longing for the beauty and stability of a family.

"Alison..." he began.

"You have an opportunity here," I reminded him.

He shook his head, but I needed him to understand that I couldn't trust him to stay with me, especially now that he could almost grasp the dream he longed for.

"You're forgetting something," he murmured.

"What?"

"That life, that family, wouldn't be with you," he whispered, leaning closer, his breath warm against my neck as he gently nudged the collar, a silent reminder of where I belonged.

His words stunned me, freezing me in place as he nestled against me. "If I'm going to have a family, it needs to be with you. With Astrid, it's nothing but conflict, hatred. Can you imagine a child growing up in such an environment? It's not a safe upbringing."

I nodded gently.

"No, it isn't," he affirmed, voicing the words I couldn't bring myself to say. "You would love our children unconditionally, even if I struggled to show warmth. Wouldn't you?"

I nodded again, sensing the smile on his lips as he kissed my neck, just above the collar.

"So, can we let go of the idea of me being a father for Astrid's child? I've told you, if you want us to build something, we can work on that, but I'm not leaving you. I wouldn't go to such lengths to free you if I weren't absolutely certain that you're worth it in the end."

"And yet, you once wished to destroy me."

"Wished. Past tense. Things have changed, as I've told you. So, let's not dwell on it anymore," he stated firmly.

"Or?"

"We both know you always end up begging me for mercy when I decide to punish you. Do you really want to test me?" he challenged.

I sighed, feeling as though my options were limited. Jared was right—I couldn't run anywhere. So why did I keep fighting? Where would I even go? Though I still had my company, I could imagine the chaos it was in. Salvaging it seemed like an impossible task. This was my reality now. I had truly become someone's possession. But at least it was Jared whom I served. It could have been far worse.

"Can you release me now?" I whispered.

"Are you planning to run from me again?"

"Not unless you're up for a chase," I teased, hearing his dark chuckle in response.

"It would be rather unfair in here. You barely have any hiding spots to run to," he jested.

"Then just let me go."

He seemed uncertain, but gradually, his hands loosened their grip, and I felt him take a few steps back, granting me some breathing room. I took a deep breath, allowing my hands to slide down from the door. My eyes lingered on the lock further down, a voice urging me to unlock it and flee.

"Don't even think about it," he warned from behind me. "You won't like the consequences if you do."

One of my hands rested beside the door handle, and I could feel Jared's tension as he watched it intently. He was waiting to see my next move, and I couldn't deny feeling incredibly tempted. But where could I possibly go? Jared would catch me instantly if I attempted to flee, and I could already envision the punishment awaiting me. The thought was terrifying, yet somehow it also deepened my longing for Jared, for in this darkness, he was the only warmth to hold onto.

Slowly, I allowed my hand to fall, surrendering to the inevitable. Then I turned, taking small steps as I approached Jared. His smile, that sinister grin of victory, only intensified the ache in my heart and the yearning for him. Stepping closer until our bodies almost touched, his smile widened at my proximity. I wasn't entirely sure why I leaned toward the person who had inflicted so much agony upon me, but what choice did I have? I pressed myself against him, nuzzling my cheek against his chest, seeking solace in his embrace.

"This is where you usually hug someone," I instructed, a smile playing on my lips.

Jared seemed a little confused, as if unsure of how to reciprocate such a simple gesture. I wondered if he had ever truly experienced the comfort of a hug or returned it for that matter. I felt him move slightly, his arms coming around me very slowly. My smile grew as he finally embraced me, albeit tentatively. As he increased the pressure, I couldn't help but let out a low chuckle, further perplexing him.

"What?" he asked, his tone tinged with curiosity.

"You're terrible at hugging. We need to work on that," I teased gently.

"You've slept in my arms before," he defended.

"Sleeping in your arms and hugging are different things. Besides, you only hold onto me in your sleep because you're afraid something might take me away or that I'll run off," I explained.

"Well, I'm not exactly known for being a big hugger," he murmured, his tone almost embarrassed by his lack of expertise.

I continued to smile, snuggling closer to him. "You're doing just fine, though."

"I am? This feels weird," he admitted, sounding unsure.

I couldn't help but laugh again, finding his awkwardness endearing. "That's just because you're not used to it," I reassured him. "But it's not really any different from when you rest on top of me."

"I thought you said that was different," he pointed out.

"Maybe a little," I conceded. "Because we've never just hugged before."

"I'm still not sure if I want to," he admitted, his uncertainty obvious.

With a small chuckle, I realized I needed to show him how good it could feel. Shifting slightly in his embrace, I wrapped my arms around him. He tensed a bit, unsure of how to react. Though we had been close like this before, the significance of this embrace made Jared uneasy. I increased the pressure slightly before turning my head to look up at him, hoping to convey the warmth and comfort of the moment.

"Do you not think it feels nice?" I inquired, breaking the silence.

"Is something supposed to happen?" he responded, his confusion evident.

I smiled, finding his perplexity somewhat amusing. "No, it just feels good," I explained, hoping to convey the simplicity and beauty of the moment.

He seemed utterly bewildered by the idea, as if unsure of how to process the notion of a hug devoid of ulterior motives. I reached up, gently running my fingers through his hair, and I felt a shift in his demeanor. He sagged slightly, leaning into my touch and closing his eyes. His hands moved lower, resting on my lower back, as we remained locked in the embrace, gradually bridging the gap that had formed between us.

"See? It's just... nice," I murmured softly.

While Jared had often held me after my return, this embrace felt different—it was devoid of any underlying games or hidden agendas. As Jared unexpectedly embraced his vulnerability, a dark voice echoed in my mind, causing me to glance slightly toward the lock behind me. Jared's hands loosened their grip on me, and I felt the urge to defy him, to assert a measure of defiance after what he had confessed to me.

Why was I offering comfort to him when he was the one who had plotted to ruin me? My heart raced with conflicting emotions, but despite the temptation, I forced myself to rationalize why such actions were foolish.

As I turned back to Jared, I met his gaze, only to find his eyes wide open, filled with a dark fury. Shit.