“You really don’t see it, do you?” Vanessa reached out and stroked Mel’s hair. “I’ve been under your spell since that night I took you into my room at The Lounge. When you sat down on my couch, indignant that I’d helped you. I was telling the truth when I said I believed you could have handled it yourself. But I wanted to rescue you. I barely knew you, but I wanted to be the one to save you from hurt.” Mel’s heart fluttered. “All these things I do, all the lengths I go to. It’s all to please you.” She pushed Mel’s hair behind her ear. Her hand lingered on Mel’s cheek. “You have far more power
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