21

“I can’t live without it, you know that.”

“No matter what you say,” his eyes gleamed with an almost obsessive fascination.

“I need to talk about Elsa,” she hesitated, her voice softening.

“You all know what’s happening. She’s waiting for Joseph—a man she only sees in her dreams. Can you believe that? A man she’s never even met, making promises in the dead of night... How is that even possible?” Knox’s gaze lingered on her, sensing her distress over Elsa.

“Maybe... if someone comes to you in a dream, there’s some strange connection. Perhaps they crossed paths unknowingly, or maybe they’re destined to meet one day. But Elsa’s situation is different. What if Joseph isn’t real at all? Or worse, what if he is, but not who she thinks he is? What if he’s a criminal, a stranger who doesn’t even know she exists? And yet, she’s waiting, believing he’ll take her away to his world…” Knox paused, chuckling, shaking his head. “It’s absurd.”

“Then why don’t you just tell her the truth?”

“You tried, and look what happened. If I told her, I’d lose Elsa, just like that.” His voice faltered, his breath uneven. “We can’t afford that risk.”

“She needs to change her mind. Elsa’s father is close to mine. I found out about Elsa through him, and we came up with a plan.”

Sana stared at him, her heart pounding in her chest.

“She has no idea it’s all a setup. If she did, she wouldn’t hesitate to kill me.”

He laughed again, and Sana found herself mesmerized by his dark charm.

“I didn’t take her there because of some magic spell, hoping to erase Joseph from her thoughts. I thought I could captivate her, enchant her with my charm. The truth is, I lured her there to make her fall in love with me, to trap her in my web. I was so sure that in just a week, she’d forget Joseph and think only of me, of Knox.” His smile wavered, a flicker of sadness passing over him.

“And? What happened?” Sana’s voice trembled, her eyes wide with fear, dreading the answer.

“I failed. Instead of capturing her heart, I found myself ensnared. It wasn’t supposed to be like this, but it was beyond my control. God humbles the proud, and I was arrogant—too sure of my beauty, my allure.”

“That’s not arrogance. It’s true,” she whispered, her cheeks flushing as soon as the words left her lips.

“But Joseph…” Knox sighed deeply. “After meeting Elsa, I realized he’s far more beautiful than I am. Just one glimpse of his eyes, and Elsa couldn’t bear to look at me. You can imagine how stunning he must be.”

“Are you going to tell Elsa any of this?”

“Impossible. It would destroy everything. She’d end our friendship in a heartbeat.” He stood abruptly.

“I’m sorry,” Sana murmured, her words hollow.

“Me too.” Knox flashed her a devastating smile before turning away.

Sana sat there, her head in her hands, helpless against the tide of events. She had prayed for Knox, but now, fate would decide between Joseph and Knox. Someone’s heart would shatter—that much was certain. Only destiny held the answer, and all Sana could do was hope for a miracle, a way that neither man would be crushed by love’s cruel hand.

As soon as her classes ended, Elsa rushed to Knox’s office. For two days now, he’d been absent, and worry gnawed at her. Pulling out her phone, she considered calling him but decided against it, instead heading straight to his house. The route was familiar—she had memorized it long ago.

She reached his front door, raising her hand to ring the bell when a familiar voice drifted from inside. She froze, her hand suspended in the air.

“Joseph… and Knox…?” The blood drained from her face. How long had she been standing there when the door suddenly opened? Knox stood before her, surprise flashing across his face before he greeted her with a warm smile.

“Elsa! What a pleasant surprise.” His voice broke through her daze.

“Hi, Knox,” she managed, forcing herself to smile back, though her thoughts were spinning.

Knox stepped aside, inviting her in. The house appeared empty, eerily quiet. She cast a quick glance around; all the doors were open, yet no one else was there.

“That’s strange,” she muttered, shaking her head. “Just a moment ago, I swear I heard voices.”

Knox chuckled as he handed her a glass of juice. “Illusions, perhaps?”

“I thought I’d check in on you since you weren’t at school,” she said, taking the juice.

“I’m fine, just had some work to catch up on.”

“Does anyone else live here with you?” Her question was careful, almost casual.

“No, why would you ask?” Knox raised an eyebrow, surprised by her question. He lived alone—she knew that.

“No reason,” she replied quickly, her gaze darting around the room again. She didn’t know why, but something felt… wrong. Her stomach churned uneasily.

“What’s wrong?” Knox’s tone was gentle, but there was concern in his eyes.

“I—I don’t know. It feels like Joseph is here, somewhere nearby. You probably think I’m losing it, but this is starting to really freak me out.”

“I don’t think you’re crazy at all. Actually, I think Joseph is here.”

Elsa stared at him, shocked by his words. “You’re joking, right?”

Knox threw his head back, laughing. “Of course.”

“Not funny!” She smacked him lightly with a pillow, unable to hide her irritation.

“Can I tell you something?” His tone suddenly shifted, turning serious.

“What is it?” Elsa leaned in, her face resting in her hands.

“You think you came here on your own, but you didn’t. Joseph brought you.”

“What? No, I came because I wanted to.”

“You were compelled, Elsa. Joseph wants to see you. Right now, he’s watching you from the basement.”

Elsa froze. “You’re joking again…”

Knox leaned back in his chair, his face unreadable. “I’m not.”

“Stop it, Knox.” She reached for something to throw at him, but suddenly, a wave of dizziness washed over her. The room blurred, dark shadows dancing at the edges of her vision. She swayed, blinking rapidly.

“What’s happening…?” Her voice sounded distant, even to herself.

“The juice had a sedative.” His voice reached her, muffled and far away. She tried to fight the darkness closing in, but it was too late. Her eyelids fluttered shut as her body went limp against the couch.

“I’m sorry, but these were Joseph’s orders,” Knox whispered as she drifted into unconsciousness.

When Elsa awoke, she wasn’t in the world she knew.