That… is why you're in trouble."
His words didn't fade.
They settled.
Deep.
Heavy.
And for the first time—
I understood something clearly.
This wasn't just about me anymore.
It never was.
My breath turned uneven.
My mother…"
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
His eyes flickered.
Just slightly.
Enough.
A cold realization spread through me.
If he could take everything from me—
Then what was stopping him from taking her too?
Nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
My fingers curled into fists.
I took a step back.
This time—not hesitant.
Not unsure.
Decided.
"I have to go."
The air shifted.
Completely.
Cheng Mo didn't move.
Didn't reach for me.
Didn't stop me.
And somehow—
that felt worse.
"I'm serious," I said, forcing my voice steady. "This ends here."
Still nothing.
Just that calm, unreadable stare.
I turned.
Took one step.
Two.
My heart pounded harder with each one—
half-expecting him to grab me, pull me back—
But he didn't.
My fingers reached the door handle.
Cold.
Real.
Freedom.
For a second—
I almost believed it.
Then—
click.
The sound was soft.
But it echoed like a gunshot.
My breath caught.
Slowly—
too slowly—
I tried the handle.
It didn't move.
Locked.
A chill ran down my spine.
"You…"
My voice came out unsteady.
I turned back.
Cheng Mo was still standing where I left him.
Relaxed.
Unbothered.
Watching.
A faint, one-sided smile curved his lips—
not warm.
Not kind.
Something else.
Something that made my chest tighten.
"You really thought I'd let you walk out?"
My pulse spiked.
"You locked it?"
"Of course."
The answer came easily.
Like it was obvious.
Like I should've known.
I took a step back from the door instinctively.
My mind racing.
"Cheng Mo, this isn't funny."
"I'm not laughing."
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
He finally moved.
One step closer.
Then another.
Slow.
Unhurried.
Like he already owned the space between us.
"You said you'd leave," he continued.
Another step.
"But you're still here."
My back hit the door again.
Trapped.
Not just by the lock—
But by him.
"This isn't your decision to make," I said, trying to hold my ground.
But even I could hear it—
the slight tremor.
His gaze dropped briefly to my lips—then back to my eyes.
"It is now."
A pause.
Then softer—
"Everything about you is."
My breath hitched.
"That's insane."
"Maybe."
No denial.
No hesitation.
That scared me more than anything else.
"Open the door."
Silence.
Then—
"No."
The word settled like a verdict.
Final.