"Don't…" I said, my voice trembling but sharp enough to cut through the air.
The fruit knife in my hand glimmered faintly under the light as I pointed it toward him. "Don't come any closer… or else I'll kill myself."
Lucian froze.
The pale, almost panicked look that crossed his face was nothing like the calm, untouchable man I'd known. His hands lifted slowly, palms open, as though approaching a wild creature that might bolt at any sound.
"Seraphina," he said quietly, his voice low and measured. "Put it down."
I shook my head, the edge of the blade trembling with my grip. "You—You don't get to tell me what to do. Not after everything."
"I'm not here to hurt you," he said carefully, taking half a step forward.
"Don't move!" I snapped, tightening my grip until my knuckles went white. "You don't understand, Lucian… you never did!"
"I'm trying to," he said, his tone still maddeningly calm, though I saw it... the flicker of fear beneath his steady voice.
