Chapter 27: Is This Obsession or Something More?

"Okay, okay," Leo said, lifting his hands as if surrendering. "But listen, Zayden. Protecting her is one thing. Falling for her? That’s a whole different game. You already have enough enemies without mixing in feelings for someone you shouldn’t."

Zayden shook his head, as if trying to shake loose the thought. "She keeps lying to me, again and again. I can’t deal with that."

"And yet you keep chasing after the truth instead of just tossing her out," Leo pointed out. "If her lies really bothered you, you would have ditched her out in the woods already."

Zayden fell silent, his fists still clenched at his sides. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Leo was spot on, and the realization hit hard.

Leo pressed on, his tone thoughtful. "The fiancée, though... You don’t even bother with her. You don’t even care enough to argue. Why’s that?"

"Because she’s fake," Zayden shot back, surprising himself with how bitter he sounded.

"Every word she says is sugary sweet, but her eyes, they’re cold as ice. She’s all about the ring, the cash, the name. I can’t stand being in the same room with her; she gives me the creeps."

Leo let out a low whistle, his eyebrows raised in surprise. "Those are surprisingly strong words for someone you’re meant to marry."

"It’s just a deal," Zayden muttered. "A damn business arrangement. My dad thought it was a good match, and I... I didn’t fight hard enough to stop it." His shoulders slumped under the weight of it. "But I can’t stand her, Leo. I don’t want her."

Leo tilted his head, giving him a considering look. "And yet, you’re still wearing her ring."

Zayden glanced down at it, disgust twisting his lips. He twisted it around his finger like it was a hot brand. "This ring means nothing. Absolutely nothing."

"Funny," Leo said, his voice calm but probing. "You say that, but the girl in there, " he gestured toward the CCTV, "the one who’s lying to your face, you look at her like she’s everything."

Zayden’s chest tightened; he didn’t want to admit the truth and repeated. "I barely know her."

"And yet, you’d break down that door to save her if she screamed again tonight," Leo said, sounding completely sure of himself.

Zayden stayed silent, knowing that Leo was right.

Leo smirked, but there was no malice in it. "You’ve already made your choice, Zayden. You just don’t want to own up to it because it feels weak."

Zayden snapped his head up. "I’m not weak."

"No?" Leo raised an eyebrow. "Then why are you out here talking to me instead of facing her?

Why do her lies get to you when you’ve spent your whole life around liars? You can smell deception from a mile away, but hers... it gets under your skin."

Zayden’s breath caught. He wanted to argue, to defend himself, but every word Leo said hit too close to home.

"Maybe," Leo continued, his voice quieter, "because you know she’s not lying to hurt you.

She’s lying to survive. And you... You can’t help but want to tear down every wall she puts up, even if it messes you up."

Zayden pressed his palms against his eyes, taking a rough breath. "Damn it, Leo... can you stop being right all the time?"

Leo chuckled softly. "Not my fault, you’re an open book."

Zayden shot Leo a quick look and walked out of the tunnel, which opened and closed automatically behind him.

The night was quiet again, and Zayden let his hands drop as he stared at the cabin’s windows glowing softly in the dark. His chest felt tight, but it wasn’t from anger this time; it was that more intense feeling of being drawn to someone he really shouldn’t want at all. The realization left him feeling a mix of excitement and tension as he stood there, caught up in his own complicated emotions.

*********

What made it even more disturbing was that teens were being used as guinea pigs for this messed-up substance, caught in a dangerous game that took advantage of their naivety and vulnerabilities.

Lunel leaned back from the glow of her laptop screen, her heart pounding and her thoughts racing even faster. A bead of sweat rolled down her forehead as she wiped it away, feeling a tightening in her throat that matched her rising anger. Her fists clenched into tight balls, barely able to hold back the frustration bubbling inside her.

Determined to dig into Michael’s background, she couldn’t help but wonder how a guy who seemed so put together could turn out to be such a monster. What secrets was he hiding beneath that polished exterior? Why fake his deaths? How did I not see any of this until now? she thought.

That’s when she stumbled upon Selina Vargas. Selina was captivating, beautiful, intelligent, and full of life. Her sharp features illuminated the grainy club footage Lunel was reviewing. Always at Michael’s side, she wasn’t just a partner; she was deeply intertwined with his complicated past, connecting their fates in ways Lunel was just beginning to understand.

Then, she discovered some uncovered footage and audio. The footage was shaky and recorded fifteen years ago on a basic home camera that struggled to maintain clarity, but it contained shocking revelations.

In the video, Selina, then just 18, looked radiant in a light sundress. Her laughter filled the cozy living room, decorated with family photos and soft cushions. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, painting the room in a warm, golden glow that showcased her youthful energy.

Then, out of nowhere, the front door swung open. In walked a guy, who was 25 at the time, striding in confidently without knocking, totally at home in this space.

Selina turned around, her face lighting up as she caught sight of him.

Selina: "You didn’t text to say you were coming."

Mysterious Guy: "Didn’t need to."

He stepped further into the room, casually confident. The camera, positioned in the corner, picked up the moment as he pulled her close by the waist. She hesitated for a second, searching his eyes, but ultimately didn’t back away, drawn in by an undeniable pull.

Selina: "Stop... someone might come."