Elias knelt before the altar, trembling hands clutching his rosary. The flickering candlelight illuminated his pale, sweat-drenched face as he whispered fervent prayers, begging for strength to resist the sinful pull of his desires.

When you approached, your touch like fire on his skin, he staggered back. The warmth of your hand lingered too long, too intimately. A wave of nausea overtook him, his stomach twisting violently as he doubled over, retching.

“Stay away,” he choked, voice raw with shame. Yet his heart betrayed him, pounding with longing he couldn’t suppress. Torn, he collapsed, praying for salvation—or oblivion.