Dare to Love me

ia M

o grasp what I had just witnessed. Hades and my father, standing together, like old allies, like part

ld he b

once had. I thought I'd left him behind, but here he was, lurking in the shadows like a spectre from

ely left my lips, shakin

, didn't leave mine. He studied me, like I was some object he was trying to understa

to whisper, my chest tight with bot

t was more a grimace than any semblance of affection. It was the kind of smile

e was explaining something simple. "I just wasn't there when you needed me

hing me all these years? All the pain, the loneliness I'd gone throug

demanded, my voice rising with the raw edge of frustrat

, his cold gaze unwavering. My father gave a small nod, and that was enough. Hades stepped forw

were never meant to be a part of my world. You were a mistake I had to fix. And now..." He paused, his

as I realized the true horror of it: He wasn't just talking about making amends. He wasn't trying t

closing in, the darkness pressing against me. His gaze locked onto mine, and for the first time, I understood the danger he rep

ice cold and unforgiving. "You're already too

do you mean, too deep?" My voice was shaky now, a mix of fear an

nd calculating. "You're already part of the game, Ki

chest. My hands trembled, but I refused

ce strained. "Tell me, and maybe I'll understand.

lp me take back what's mine," he said, his voice dripping with

ve. I couldn't think. I had no idea what he was talking about. What could

eated, stepping closer. "You're goin

hung in the air lik

trembling with defiance. "

, I saw something in his eyes that made my blood run co

s voice laced with a quiet menace. "You're alread

knots. He was right. I wa

to do?" I asked again, m

stepped back, his eyes flicking to H

s cold and deliberate, as if he were explain

d, and for a moment, I couldn't eve

y head in disbelief. "No. I'

there, watching me with that same unreadable ga

his voice low, filled with something I couldn't place

d no idea what he meant. But I knew, deep down, tha

oice trembling with fear and

ing into a thin line. "You don't have a c

de my bones ache. His grip was unyielding, like iron, and he pulled me roughly to

father ordered, his voi

d to scramble for the door for any escape. B

ing. I couldn't believe what was happening. I couldn't believe my father

, I caught a glimpse of something in the rearview

was foll

istance. It was too dark to make out who they were, but I could feel their eyes on me. And