HAILEY
Through the curtains, the evening light created a lovely glow, but the tension in the room was anything but mild. The hours I spent entangled in Daniel's arms left my body hurting. I was left feeling exhausted and hurt by his unrelenting enthusiasm, which was a combination of possessiveness and desperation. It felt like he was reclaiming me with each touch and word he uttered as if he was afraid I would elude him. I didn't put all the blame on him. Even though I meant to protect him, I had set off his deepest insecurity. Daniel's intense affection for me was accompanied by a risky fragility. I was his greatest asset and his unwavering compass, but I was also his weakness.
Klaus came in with news that sent a chill down my spine: "Your father sent someone to assist us," Klaus said, his tone carefully neutral, "His name is Robert." Daniel wouldn't let me leave his sight. He carried me when I needed to use the restroom, insisted on helping when I tried to bathe alone, changed me into nightwear, brought food to the bed, and never stopped watching me as I got changed, yet I felt the change in him as he stiffens immediately Klaus mentioned Robert. As we return to Klaus, he is like a bomb about to blow up. Daniel was tense next to me, his hold on my waist getting tighter almost uncomfortably. My heart fell. There was trouble here, big trouble. Robert. Robert might have been the one if Daniel had never entered my life. I had once been drawn to him and had an emotional attachment to him. However, I had moved on, and life had a way of tearing us apart. Or so I believed. Daniel was aware of Robert. Robert is known to my father as my colleague and ex. So why would my father send him here, of all people? Every possibility that crossed my thoughts was more concerning than the one before it. Klaus could see the tension between us as he glanced between us. "Why do you both look like you’ve seen a ghost?" remarked the man. I compelled myself to be calm, shook my head and smiled. "Nothing', Klaus. Simply put, I was taken aback. Even though Daniel's response was more composed than I had anticipated, it simply increased my anxiety. He said, "Take him to the sitting room," with ease. "We’ll join you shortly." With my heart racing, I turned to Daniel as Klaus walked away. He was dangerously calm, too calm. "Daniel," I said as I tried to ground him by putting my arms around his neck. "You know I love you, right? That you alone own me?" I gave him a gentle kiss at first, then a more forceful one, giving him all of my certainty. "My father sent him for an unknown reason, but it must be important. Please, let's remain composed and investigate the situation." He didn't respond right away. Rather, he lifted me up and carried me to the dressing room where he picked out matching blue casual clothes for us. It was such a small gesture, but it said a lot about his need to reaffirm his relationship with me, to remind us both—and maybe Robert—who I belonged to. When we walked into the sitting room, Robert was already there, laughing at a joke Klaus had told, and his face lit up with a big, sincere smile as soon as he saw me. He stood and walked across the room, ignoring the fact that Daniel's hand was firmly in mine. "Rebel," he said warmly, embracing me tightly before I could respond. The room grew quiet, the air heavy with unsaid tension, and my body went rigid—not because I didn't miss Robert—but because I was fully aware of Daniel's perception of this, and I was correct. Daniel's jaw was clinched so hard I thought it could break, and his possessiveness radiated off him in waves. But with his eyes piercing Robert's back, he remained silent. At last, Daniel remarked in a low, menacing voice, "You shouldn't be here." Robert drew back a little and met Daniel's look with a calm, angry face. With ease, he answered, "Her father sent me here." "He believed she might require additional security. You know, old buddies." Daniel moved forward, putting himself squarely between Robert and me, and his hold on my waist grew tighter. "You are not necessary for her. I'm with her. Robert grinned, his assurance unflinching. "Respectfully, you are not entitled to make that decision." His eyes softened and returned to me. "Rebel, you've always wanted someone who genuinely gets you. And I remain that person. "I have Daniel now," I stated steadily and forcefully. "And I don’t need you, Robert." However, my words seemed to flow effortlessly from his lips. Quietly, "I know you, Rebel," he murmured. Superior to everyone else. Superior to him. Daniel lost his temper. "You no longer know her! She's not the same person you knew before." Robert's composed manner faltered a little, and his voice took on a harsher tone. "And you believe that you know her? Because she doesn't match your idealised world, do you think you can delete her past? She will always be Rebel. I wish I could say more, but trust me, you'll understand soon. That is unchangeable. The words struck a deep chord with me as well as Daniel. Unbiddenly, memories of my time spent with Robert and our mutual link came flooding back. He was aware that I had previously adored him. Robert glanced at me and added, "I never stopped loving you," his voice grew softer. "And I never will." Daniel became enraged. With a power that made the room appear smaller, he sprang forward and pushed Robert back. He said, "Get out!" in a rough, uncontrolled voice. Robert fixed his jacket, his cool-headedness returning as though Daniel's outburst had been a small irritation. With his eyes meeting mine for the final time, he murmured calmly, "I'll be here as long as Rebel needs me."He spoke steadily, making one final eye contact with me. "You know where to find me." Daniel turned to face me as he left, his eyes ablaze with a mixture of desperation and rage. He said, "Tell me you don't feel anything for him." "Tell me I’m the only one." I lifted my hand and cupped his face. Daniel, you are loved. Every time, in every existence, you are the one I pick. But at this moment, we need him. And that doesn't lessen the fact that I am yours." As though letting go would break him, he drew me into his arms and held me there. And for the first time, I understood how much he feared losing me and not being good enough. His jealousy wasn’t just possessiveness; it was his way of fighting for the one thing he couldn’t bear to lose me.