Page 100 of Black Castle

Kenji stands, his body stiffened. “You can’t be serious, right now.”

“He was just angry—”

“Angry enough to be ready to kill someone? Enough to put his hand around your throat and squeeze?”

“He won’t hurt me.” Her hands drop from her hair, clenching into fists and pressing against her thighs.

“That wasn’t what I saw earlier.”

“I’m serious,” she says, voice barely above a whisper. “Just let it go.”

“Come on, Vee. What’s wrong with you?” He crouches down in front of her, taking her hands in his. “I know you desperately want someone to love you and care for you, someone to take you out of here and maybe at the beginning of it all, he seemed like the perfect man for that, but clearly he has some problems that he needs to sort out. I’ll recommend therapy.” He squeezes her hand gently. “Please consider these problems and not settle for him.”

Vivienne swallows hard. “He just needs help.” Her throat burns. “And I already told him that I won’t leave him. Besides, I can make him better. I can help him. I can…” The words catch, shatter in her mouth. “I can make it go away. I can fix him.”

Kenji exhales sharply. “He’s not your responsibility.”

Frustration coils inside her, wrapping tight around her ribs. Why can’t he try to understand her?

“If he has problems, he should get himself checked,” he says. “He can’t drag you into his mess.”

“Just give me a few weeks.” She reaches for his hands, pleading. “I really care about him and—”

“No!” He pulls away, his eyes glossy now, and when he speaks again, his voice trembles. “This is what we call a fucking toxic relationship. What the hell is wrong with you, Vivienne?”

“Stop yelling at me.” Her chest tightens. He sounds like Isadora. Everybody sounds like Isadora when they yell at her. She can’t handle it.

Kenji notices and blinks, his expression softening. “I-I’m sorry,” he whispers. “It’s bad enough knowing Isadora hurts you. I can’t stand the thought of you walking into another nightmare.” His voice cracks. “I’ll help you find someone who actually deserves you. I’ll get you out of here. Please don’t settle for that monster. Please.”

“He won’t hurt me,” she whispers, trying to convince herself more than Kenji. “He gets angry alright, but I don’t think he’ll hurt me.”

“For Christ’s sake, Vivienne, why are you not listening to me?!”

“Okay, stop!” She rises to her feet so fast, the chair scrapes against the floor. She covers her face with her palms, fingers digging into her temple, chest heaving. “Please, just stop it.”

“Okay,” he sniffles. “I’ll—I’ll stop, okay. Just calm down.”

She sits back down on the chair, elbows propped against the wooden dresser, her face buried in her palms as tears roll down her cheeks.

A long silence settles between them, thick and suffocating.

Then, a car horn blares outside.

Kenji releases a sharp exhale. “That’s my mom,” he murmurs, his voice quiet, drained as he grabs his duffel bag, hitching it over his shoulder. “I’ll talk to you later.”

He exits the room, his footsteps fading down the hall. The front door slams shut a second later.

And just like that, she’s alone. Alone with her thoughts

Alone with the reckless choice she has made.

Part Two

Their Duel

Chapter Thirty-one

Vivienne

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