Torment: Part Two (The Bleeding Hearts, #2)

by Dylan Page

I hated how people kept telling me that it was God’s plan to take my mother away. That it was meant to be, or some other bullshit like that. I know they were trying to comfort me, but those words felt so hollow. I had a hard time believing that my father withering away from the cancerous cells spreading throughout his body like poison was all a part of some plan.

Was it fate or meant as a lesson to me on dealing with pain and learning how to be a stronger person?

I feel like the man, who was once my faithful guardian and protector, is now transforming into my dark demon.

For years I’d been trying to help him fight his demons, but now? He’s forcing me to dance with them instead.

“You’ve never been a fucking toy, Mina…” he practically growls at me, “You’ve just been mine. You always have been, from the very first time that I held you in my arms and looked at you. I felt it then, even if I didn’t understand it. You were always meant to be mine.”

His eyes are shining, his mouth slightly open, and he’s looking up at me with a sort of euphoric expression. I’m his world.

This isn’t love, that voice cries louder now. He can’t truly love you for you while he’s trying to mold you into what he wants.

“You love him, Mina,” he says finally. “You love him, I know.” He stops for a moment, staring me down as if he’s trying to see through me. “But you aren’t happy. You aren’t who you really are. You are a shadow of the girl you once were.”

“I hope one day, you’ll forgive me, Sweetness. I never wanted to hurt you. I just… I-” his breath releases in a shuddering gasp, “I wanted us to be forever…”