Page 26 of Her Nightshade

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I jolted awake from a panicked nightmare as the faint morning light barely crept into the bedroom. In the dream, Ana had left me, and I was standing at the top of my building, screaming tothe world that I didn’t want to live without her. I leapt to my death—and that’s when I woke up.

In the real world, if Ana ever tried to leave me, that’s exactly what I’d do. I knew myself better than anyone—I was a lost fucking cause. I’d been in love before, but it was nothing compared to what I felt for Ana now.

And Callan had the nerve to try and take that away from me.

Anger seethed deep in my core. How the fuck would he know anything about my past? We’d talked a few times, sure, but we weren’t friends. We were barely acquaintances. Yet here he was, talking to Ana like he knew everything about me. So what if what he said was true? I knew I had my issues. But he had no right to tell her. That was supposed to come from me.

But in a twisted way, it worked out. Her jealousy surfaced again and that’s what I needed, because it showed me she cared. It proved that she loved me.

I carefully slunk out of bed and grabbed a pair of pajama pants from the pile atop Ana’s dresser. It had become a temporary home for many of my clothes, at least until I bought us a bigger dresser. I couldn’t even remember the last time I was home; it must’ve been the night I came over to cook dinner for Ana. So much had changed since then.

As I stepped carefully on the cold hardwood floor towards the kitchen, I could hear a faint noise, like the muffled sound of the TV.I rounded the corner into the living room and found Sloane curled up in the corner of the couch, knees pulled up to her chest under a blanket. Her eyes were fixed on her phone, but when I stopped, she glanced up, her gaze briefly flicking over my shirtless chest before meeting my eyes.

“Oh, hey,” she said casually, quickly looking away. “What are you doing up so early?”

I crossed my arms, suddenly feeling a little too exposed. “Couldn’t sleep. I could ask you the same,” I said, not moving from where I stood.

She shrugged. “Callan and I got into a little argument. I think you know why.” Her eyes dropped to the floor, the sadness in them unmistakable.

Oh, fuck. He told her too.I sighed, my gaze falling to my feet. “I love your mum, Sloane. I know I can be a lot, but I’d never do anything to hurt her. I was young and reckless in my previous relationships. I’ve grown since then.” I knew most of it was a lie, except for the part about never hurting Ana. That was true.

Sloane let out a heavy sigh and I glanced back at her, waiting for her to speak. “My mom is extremely independent. She’s very self-reliant, keeps to herself. But I’ve never seen her this way before. She’s…she clearly adores you.” Her voice was calm but laced with concern. “I don’t believe our past defines us, but I really hope you’re good to her, Charlie.”

I could see so much of Ana in her—fiery, passionate, and blunt. I knew I had to win her over, make her understand how much I truly cared for her mum.

I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. “Sloane, I understand why you’re worried. My past doesn’t look great, and I get that you’d be protective of your mum. But I need you to know that she’s everything to me. I’ve never felt like this about anyone.”

I uncrossed my arms, forcing myself to meet her gaze, even though I could feel the fire growing within me. “Your mum’s strong and independent and I love that about her. I don’t want to change her.”

My voice lowered and I felt my heart begin to race. “I know I can be a bit much sometimes, but I would never hurt her. I couldn’t. She’s the center of my world, Sloane. I’d do anything for her.” I couldn’t stop fucking talking.

Sloane’s expression grew more concerned, but I kept going, my words flowing faster now, fueled by the deep need I felt. “I can’t imagine a life without her. I want to be with her, always. I don’t know what I’d do if she wasn’t in my life…”

I trailed off, realizing I said too much. My jaw clenched as I forced myself to reel it back in. “What I’m trying to say is, I love her. More than anything. And I’m not going anywhere.”

Sloane studied me for a moment. I could see the wheels turning in her mind, trying to piece together what I had just said. The silence stretched between us and my panic grew.

Finally, she let out a soft sigh, her eyes meeting mine with a mix of caution and something softer—maybe hope. “I believe you care about her, Charlie. I can see that. And I want to believe that you’ll be good to her.” She shifted on the couch, pulling the blanket tighter around her shoulders. “I’m just…I’m protective of my mom. She’s my best friend. Seeing her this way with you is new for me. I just don’t want her to get hurt, you know?”

Her voice was gentle but I could still sense the protective daughter in her still lingering. “But if you really love her like you say you do, then I’m glad she’s found someone who sees her for who she is. Just…” She trailed off, pausing for a moment. “Just don’t forget that she’s always been fine on her own. I hope you keep her happiness in mind. It’s all I care about.”

Her words hit harder than I expected.She’s been just fine on her own.Keep her happiness in mind. The way she said it, so sure of herself, like she knew Ana better than anyone else. I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay calm, but inside, it felt like a slow burn.Of course she’s independent.I knew that. I’d seen it firsthand. But the way Sloane said it, like Ana didn’t need anyone, as if she didn’t needme—it got under my skin.

No one really knew Ana like I did. They saw the version of her they wanted to see: the strong, self-reliant woman who didn’t need anyone to complete her. But they didn’t see her the way Idid. The way she softened when it was just the two of us. The way she let down her guard, let me into parts of her life no one else could touch.

They didn’t understand how much she needed me. How much she craved someone who saw past the walls she put up. Someone who said, only hours ago, that she wanted me to claim her body, that she was obsessed with me…that she wanted to be all mine.

Sloane could talk about her mum’s independence all she wanted, but it didn’t change the fact that Ana and I were connected in a way no one else could ever understand. She wasn’t just “fine on her own.” She was mine. And that was something no one else could claim.

I gave Sloane a small smile, keeping my tone light. “Your mum’s happiness is all I care about as well. I’m glad we’re on the same page.”

Sloane only nodded and returned the smile back. Before I could hear any more of her shit, I turned around and walked into the kitchen, starting breakfast for everyone. The aroma of eggs and toast filled the apartment, and I knewmi diosawould be awake soon.

I set the table carefully, making sure everything was just right for when she woke. This was our world, and I intended to keep it that way. Just the two of us.

13

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