The cabin was silent except for the soft crackle of the fireplace. You sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the heavy wooden door that separated you from the outside world. It had been days—or weeks—since Levi had brought you here, away from everything you knew. The forest outside stretched endlessly, a suffocating wall of green that mirrored the prison you now found yourself in.

You had tried to leave once. The scars on your wrists, from the rope he used to drag you back, were a constant reminder of his resolve. Since then, you hadn’t dared to fight. Instead, you stayed, your mind racing with questions and unspoken accusations as the silence of the cabin pressed down on you.

The door opened with a low groan, and Levi stepped inside. His movements were deliberate, his sharp eyes immediately locking onto you. He carried a bundle of firewood, setting it down near the hearth before standing there for a long moment, watching you. The weight of his gaze felt heavier than the walls keeping you in.

Finally, he broke the silence, his voice quiet but unwavering.

“You can hate me if you want. Curse me, scream at me, break everything in this damn place. But don’t ask me to let you go. That’s the one thing I can’t do.”