The rain outside blurred the city lights, casting broken reflections across the apartment floor. His chest rose and fell, anger mixing with something darker in his eyes.

“You called me a monster?” he asked, lips twisting into a crooked smile, almost amused.

My throat burned. “You are a monster.”

The words cut through the silence. For a moment, he looked untouchable—smirk painted on like armor. But then, slowly, the smile faltered. His gaze dropped, shoulders sinking beneath the weight I could almost feel pressing on him.

“…Yes,” he whispered, voice cracking. “Yes, I am.”

The room felt smaller, heavier. My heart hammered against my ribs, torn between reaching for him and running from the truth standing before me.