After tidying up the apartment, I copsed into bed, seeking refuge in rest.


    Barely had I closed my eyes when a nightmare jolted me awake. In it, a figure I dubbed "Scar Man" defiled my sanctuary, leaving me struggling against the dark tide of his influence, fighting back only to be greeted by shadows and pools of crimson. Awake in a heartbeat, I was left questioning reality.


    Had I dreamt it, or had death embraced me?


    Frantically, I pped my arm, weing the sting of pain-a reassuring sign of life.


    Tears came unbidden for the first time since my rebirth, not from fear, but from the profound relief of survival.


    It was then my phone rang. ude''s name shed on the screen.


    I took a moment to steady my voice before answering.


    "Why the no-show? Forgot about the curfew again?" he queried, a hint of usation in his tone.


    I stretchedzily, not immediately responding, only to hear his buddy chime in from the background, "Come on, ude, ire''s at that age where fun is all she wants. Lighten up." Fun?


    This friend of ude''s, always too handsy whenever ude looked away, now made my skin crawl at the memory.


    "udy, it''s not like that. I''m swamped with my thesis. Deadlines at the dorm," I replied, my voice unexpectedly calm. There was a pause on the other end, a departure from the times when I''d plead for his belief.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    Now, what he believed didn''t matter to me. I was done trying to keep the peace.


    "When did I say you could stay at the dorms?"


    "I''m an adult, ude. Your permission isn''t a necessity," I retorted, surprising even myself with my boldness.


    "I''ming to pick you up."


    Hismand was curt, leaving no room for debate. I tossed the phone aside and buried myself under the covers, seeking sleep''s escape.


    But rest proved elusive, my thoughts circling why ude was suddenly so keen on dragging me back, especially after his recent possessiveness. True to his word, ude called again half an hourter.


    "I''m downstairs. Come down."


    "Sorry, just stepped out with friends. Don''t wait up, I lied, eager to end the call when he interjected, "Heard


    there''s only one spot left for that et


    research position. Someone''s already pulling strings. Giving up on it?


    Silence.


    He was ckmailing me with this?


    "ude, you "


    "Losing your cool so soon? I was rather enjoying today''s performance. Ten minutes. I''ll be waiting," he dictated, leaving me no choice but to get ready and head out.


    The research position was too valuable, and with ude''s influence, defying him could mean losing my shot.


    Stepping out to catch the elevator, I froze as the doors parted to reveal Max.


    This lifetime, our paths hadn''t crossed.


    He spared me no nce, brushing past to unlock his apartment across from mine.


    Max, the enigmatic doctor in a


    elbet


    crisply tailored suit, carried an air of unattainable grace, leaving an indelible mark even in such a brief encounter.