chapter1

The air in the hospital suite smelled of expensive lilies and decay. Julian lay motionless, his body a map of scars—some physical, others etched into his very spirit.

Beside him, Adrian sat in a velvet chair, his fingers tracing the back of Julian’s hand with a terrifying, rhythmic gentleness.

His eyes, usually sharp and commanding, were wet with tears that Julian knew weren't for his pain, but for Adrian's own impending loss." Why do you look at me like that, Julian?" Adrian whispered, his voice a melodic rasp.

"I did everything for you. I burned your bridges, so you’d only walk across mine. I broke your spirit, so I could be the one to mend it.

That is the purest love there is.

"Julian tried to speak, but his lungs were heavy with the fluid of a failing heart—a heart Adrian had systematically isolated until it simply gave up.

Adrian leaned in closer, his breath warm against Julian’s cold ear.

"If you leave me now, I’ll make sure your name is dragged through the mud until the end of time. You’ll be remembered as the thief, the liar, the coward.

Even in death, you belong to my narrative." As the monitors flat lined into a long, haunting drone, Julian’s last thought wasn't of his family or his lost dreams.

It was a cold, obsidian vow: If there is anything after this, I will make you beg for the silence of the grave.

The Gasp.Julian bolted upright, his lungs burning as they pulled in a sharp, frantic breath.

He wasn't in the hospital.

The air didn't smell like lilies;

It smelled of citrus detergent and the old, dusty books on his nightstand.

He stared at his hands.

They were full, healthy, and devoid of the IV bruises. He scrambled out of bed and staggered to the mirror.

A twenty-two-year-old version of himself stared back. No sunken eyes.

No gray skin. Just the face of the man who was about to be destroyed.

A chime echoed through the room. Julian’s heart hammered against his ribs—not with fear, but with a sudden, predatory heat.

He picked up his phone. Message from Adrian (09:00 AM):

"Good morning, beautiful. I'm downstairs. I have a surprise for you—I think today is the day we finally make things official. Can’t wait to take care of you forever."

Julian looked at the message, the very words that had once signaled the beginning of his imprisonment.

A slow, terrifying smile spread across his face, one that would have made the Adrian of his past recoil.

"Forever is a long time, Adrian," Julian whispered to the empty room.

Since death won't make us apart Adrian, if it fate let see who destroyed first but things won't be the same anymore .

"hope you can survive it." I make sure to prepare the most beautiful caged for you

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