I'm afraid, for the first time in the Secret that I hold, I'm afraid I'll lose you!

"I've been going crazy… crying, feeling lost," she whispered.

"And I know how lonely I'll be without you."

Her voice cracked with the weight of her emotions. Looking up at the glowing moon from the edge of the vast balcony, Eva shivered as the freezing breeze wrapped around her. She pressed her trembling hands against the cold metal railing, gripping it tightly as though it could anchor her to the moment. The wind tugged at her hair, sending strands dancing in the moonlight, but she remained still, her eyes fixed on the pale, unyielding glow of the moon.

Her mind was a tempest, but the icy air and the silent expanse of the night offered no answers, only a hollow ache. Eva exhaled slowly, her breath visible in the crisp air as if releasing the weight of her unspoken fears into the darkness. Her fists clenched, and tears slipped down her cheeks.

A voice inside her, insistent and sharp, urged, "Stop whining, Eva. Think. Think!"

She inhaled shakily, her thoughts spiraling.

She spoke aloud slowly, almost as if in a trance, "Who am I? I'm Eva Terces, born with the power to read minds. Is that something to be proud of? Or is it just… something my parents passed down to me?"

Her lips pressed into a tight line as she stared into the consuming darkness beyond the moon's light.

Taking a few choked breaths, she forced herself to continue, her voice trembling.

"Would he have loved me if he'd known about my power? Would he?" She hesitated, her mind screaming doubts, but then something shifted.

Her voice steadied as she confessed to the night, "Yes. Yes, he would. And I… I've fallen in love with him. No matter what!"

Her fingers trembled as they cupped her face, her tears soaking her palms. "But I know," she murmured through anguish, " we have to part. But how? How?" She let out a long, aching sigh.

Wrapping her arms tightly around herself, she imagined Justin's arms in their place, strong and warm, holding her close. She shut her eyes tightly, the memory of his embrace slowing her racing heart.

His voice echoed in her mind, steady and full of love, "You are my angel."

That memory clung to her; Justin loved her, she knew it, and despite everything— the fear, the Secret—she loved him too, with a depth she had never thought possible.

Her heart ached as she thought of him: Justin Pierce, with his dark, straight hair and eyes like glistening black opals, mesmerizing and full of strength. She had willingly let him into her heart; now, she couldn't imagine life without him. He had his way of influencing her, making her feel safe in his warm, cozy hugs and kisses, in spite of her ability to read minds.

He had touched her deepest soul like no one else ever could. Yet she couldn't ignore the truth. Her love for him burned brighter than any fear, but so did the shadow of her Secret—a secret that threatened to destroy the world they had built together. All her anxiety, buried for a year, surged to the surface today because Justin proposed to her.

Under the yellowish glow of the shining moon, Justin waited for Eva on the 13th floor, the quiet terrace with a gentle breeze where they had first met. Flowers were scattered across the floor, lights glimmered in the darkness, and a glowing heart was at the center of it all. Justin stood there, his gaze locked on the staircase, and his heart skipped a beat when he saw her at the door.

As Eva approached Justin, he smiled, his voice gentle with emotion, and he said, "Eva, my darling, my angel, I love you."

He dropped to one knee, extending his right hand toward her, palm open and hopeful.

"Will you marry me?" he asked, his eyes shimmering with anticipation.

Eva froze, her mind swirling with conflicting thoughts. She didn't want to hurt him, but her heart was too heavy to speak. Instead, she managed a silent nod. That was all Justin needed. His face broke into a radiant smile as he rose to his feet. Gently, Justin clasped the oval-shaped garnet necklace adorned with diamonds and gently brushed aside her long, cascading hair, his fingers caressing her neck slightly. Justin placed the bright and dark red necklace around her neck. The cold metal rested against her skin, symbolizing his love and devotion. His palms brushed her shoulders with love and warmth.

He leaned in, his lips kissing her forehead, savoring her skin's soft, radiant warmth. Then, as if drawn by an irresistible force, he moved his lips downward, tracing the gentle curve of her face. His lips pressed against hers, feeling the tender, cherry-red softness of her lips.

His voice was low, almost a whisper, as he spoke near her ear, "I love you, my angel." The words were filled with a deep affection that made her feel cherished and conflicted.

The world ceased to exist as they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms. Justin held her tightly, his warmth battling the chill of the freezing breeze. Eva clung to him, her head resting against his chest, listening to his fast, rhythmic heartbeat. Neither of them spoke. They simply held each other and indulged in the quiet intimacy of the moment.

"You look beautiful," he murmured, his voice soft as he glared at her shiny blue eyes.

The evening was filled with Justin's excitement and Eva's quiet turmoil. Though her chest tightened with worry, Eva stayed by his side, helpless yet unwilling to kill his happiness.

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It was 8:00 a.m., and the phone rang loudly in the lavish hall below their bedroom, echoing off the walls. Eva stepped down the stairs in her black nightgown, her long black hair flowing down her back in mesmerizing curls. Fairer than snow and with lips as red as cherries, Eva was a beauty to behold.

"Hello?" her voice, as soft and melodious as a nightingale's, flowed through the phone.

"Good morning, Ma'am," Jenny's voice came from the other end. You have an appointment with a client at 11:00 a.m."

Eva replied gently, "I'll be there, Jenny dear."

Justin appeared behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Can't you miss it today? Stay with me instead," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear.

Eva chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with affection.

"Oh, Justin, you're no client—my sweetheart. You make my heart race and my blood rush in ways no one else can."

She traced her fingers teasingly over his bare, smooth chest, slipping out of his hug just as he pulled her closer for a kiss. But when their lips met, it was as though they did 'n't want to leave each other. They kissed long and deeply, savoring every moment.

Justin smiled, his eyes softening as he whispered, "I don't think I can live a day without you."

Eva smiled back, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace. But as she held him, an unsettling feeling churned deep inside her.

A secret weighed heavy in her mind, and she silently told herself, "I must not keep this from him. He needs to know."

Sensing a shift in her, Justin pulled back slightly and looked at her with concern.

"Hey, Evie, everything alright? How about I whip up my special egg omelet to cheer you up?"

Eva nodded, brushing away the dark thoughts that clouded her mind. "Sure, let me help."

As they moved around the kitchen, preparing the meal, the warmth of their connection lingered, but Eva couldn't shake the feeling in her gut. The Secret she carried threatened to spill, but for now, she pushed it aside, letting the romance in the kitchen continue.

Justin kissed her forehead as he said, "I love you, Evie."

"Love you too, my handsome," she replied, smiling back.

She couldn't let the moment slip away—there was something so comforting about the way they moved together, the love that bloomed between them in the simple act of cooking.

After spending hours chatting about anything and everything, the cuckoo clock in the hall chimed 11:00, signaling Eva that she needed to hurry. She slipped into a sleek black dress, pairing it with red stilettos that accentuated her already tall figure.

Blowing Justin a kiss, she said, "See you at 8, darling."

With a heavy heart, she drove to her therapy center, 'The Soul Therapist.'

The idea of sharing her dark Secret with Justin filled her with dread, and as she drove, a hurricane of emotions swirled inside her, each piercing her heart with a sharp-edged sword.

When Eva arrived at her luxurious therapy center, her client, Miss Clara, was already waiting. Eva was world-renowned for her magical hands and ability to soothe even the most troubled souls. Clients swore that her touch could ease all pains.

"Hello, Miss Clara; thank you for being on time. We'll begin shortly. Jenny will help you with the change of clothes," she said, her voice as graceful as her demeanor.

Eva walked toward her private room, her figure perfectly poised.

A nearby client couldn't help but murmur, "She's got the perfect curves. No wonder she's so sought after."

Draping herself in her professional tunic, Eva prepared for her session by rubbing her hands with a special elixir that heightened her clients' relaxation.

"Another day, another woman; how do I explain myself to Justin?" she whispered as she stepped into the dim, tranquil room where Clara lay, covered by a black muslin sheet.

Eva's warm and skilled hands began the massage at Clara's forehead, gradually working down her shoulders and neck. The magic of Eva's touch was immediate.

Clara sighed, "Your touch is incredible, Eva.

It's no wonder you're the best."

Eva gently stroked Clara's head and chanted a soothing phrase that lulled her into an intoxicating sleep. Yet, despite her love for this work, Eva found concentrating hard. The room seemed to swirl around her as thoughts of Justin filled her mind.

"What will his reaction be when the Secret is out? Will he hate me? Will he leave? Oh no, I can't imagine life without him. He loves me too much, and I can't keep him in the dark."

Immersed in her thoughts, she quietly slipped out of the room.

As she stepped into the hallway, she felt an unsettling anxiety creeping in, one that had overshadowed the sessions that once brought her deep satisfaction and even euphoria.

Just then, Jenny approached her with a look of concern.

"Ma'am, are you alright? You look tired. Why do you still perform the massages yourself?"

Eva smiled softly.

"Jenny, this gave me bread and shelter when I had nothing. I respect it. I can't give it up.

Besides, soothing women in distress... it's what keeps me young and rejuvenated."

Jenny nodded with a bit of confusion.

"These elite clients must be... interesting, to say the least."

Eva chuckled. "Oh, they certainly are not."

Later that night, Eva and Justin shared a quiet dinner. Though they laughed and talked as always, Justin couldn't shake the strange feeling that had settled in his chest. Something felt... off, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Still lost in her confused thoughts, Eva wanted to tell him everything—about the Secret that weighed on her heart. But just as she opened her mouth to speak, she stopped, overwhelmed by the unbearable thought of losing him.

They walked home hand in hand, wrapped in a tense silence, almost as if they were listening to the breeze song rather than each other. The weight of unspoken words lingered between them. When they finally slipped into bed, neither said a word, each lost in their thoughts.

In the middle of the night, Justin woke up in a cold sweat, his heart pounding in his chest. Something deeply unsettling, but he couldn't figure out what it was.

Justin looked over at the empty bed beside him. He got up and instinctively looked for Eva. He found her standing on the balcony, her silhouette illuminated by the moonlight.

"Eva?" Justin's voice trembled slightly.

She turned to him, her eyes full of sorrow.

"Justin, darling, do you want to come here," she whispered, her voice heavy with emotion.

Justin stepped onto the balcony, standing beside her as the cool night air surrounded them. His mind raced with questions, but his heart braced for something he wasn't sure he was ready to hear.

Eva took a deep breath.

"Justin, what you're about to hear will be hard to understand. You'll eventually forget it, but I must tell you the truth."

Justin frowned, confusion knitting his brow.

"What do you mean? What truth?"

Eva sighed.

"It's why I've always refused to marry you, Justin. I love you, but you need to know something about me."

Justin reached for her hand, but she gently pulled away.

"Eva, you're scaring me. What's going on?"

"I'm not what you think I am, Justin."

Justin shivered, his heart pounding in his chest as he tried to make sense of Eva's words. He clutched her shoulders gently, his eyes searching hers with disbelief.

"Eva, what are you talking about?" he asked, his voice laced with confusion and a hint of fear. "Are you hallucinating? This… this doesn't make sense."

Eva didn't answer immediately, her gaze distant and unfocused. Justin couldn't bear the tension any longer. As if trying to brush the subject away, he pulled her closer and into his arms, holding her tightly in his clasp.

"Come on, let's sleep," he murmured, his voice soft and pleading. "You're stressed. You're overthinking things."

But Eva didn't yield. She rested her forehead against his chest momentarily, listening to the frantic beat of his heart. It made what Eva was about to say even harder, but she had decided. She loved him too much to let her secret destroy him.

"No, Justin," she said finally, her voice trembling but resolute. She pulled away slightly, just enough to look into his eyes. "I can't do this anymore. I have to tell you the truth… for your sake."

Justin's grip on her arms tightened, his fear evident.

"Eva, what truth? What are you saying?"

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she forced herself to speak.

"I love you more than anything in this world, Justin. That's why I can't keep you in the dark anymore. I'm not… I'm not normal. I'm different. I've kept this Secret for so long, and it's killing me."

He stared at her, bewildered. "Different? What do you mean?"

Eva took a shaky breath, trying to steady herself. "I can read minds, Justin. It's not something

I chose, and it's not something I can control. This is me. I wish I could be like everyone else, but I can't. I don't want our relationship to ruin you or us."

Justin's eyes widened as disbelief and shock struck him. He stumbled back a step, shaking his head. "What? Eva… what are you saying? That's… that's impossible."

"It's not," she whispered, her voice breaking. "And I can't hide it from you anymore. You deserve to be free, Justin. Free from me and all the chaos I bring."

She tried to turn away, but Justin grabbed her wrist, his hand trembling. "Eva, stop it," he said firmly, though his voice cracked with emotion.

"You don't get to decide what's best for me. I love you—do you hear me? I don't care if you can read minds or if you're… different. You're mine, and I'm yours. That's all that matters."

Tears rolled down her face as she looked at him, feeling his love and pain. She wanted to hold onto him, but the hidden truth, her Secret, felt unbearable.

"Justin," she said softly, her voice filled with anguish. I'm doing this because I love you. I don't want to hurt you."

"And what about me?" he shot back, his voice rising. "Do you think letting you go won't hurt me? Do you think I'd ever be okay without you? Eva, you're my everything. We'll figure this out together. I'm not leaving, and you're not pushing me away."

He pulled her into his arms again, this time with a desperate, unyielding grip. Eva sobbed against his chest, torn between the love they shared and the fear that her Secret could destroy it.

Eva's voice was soft and trembling, and tears welled at the corner of her eyes.

"I, I… come from one of the first vam… vampire families. We, the bloodthirsty creatures, as they called us, were hunted for centuries, feared of our bites and sucks. The generals of the old world had us killed—one by one. My family was slaughtered, but I escaped."

Justin's eyes broadened in shock. "Vampires? You're... a vampire? Eva, we've kissed more than a thousand times; you had all the chance to bite me, suck me. Stop your jokes. I'm not sure what's wrong with you?"

Eva nodded. "For a thousand years, I've been wandering the earth, surviving on human blood to stay alive. I've tried to end my dark miserable life countless times but couldn't. Something always saved me—the cliff's edge holding me like a cradle, the water pulling me back to shore, or darkness shielding me from the sun."

Justin's heart raced as Eva's shocking confession sank in. "You've been alive for a thousand years? But... how?"

His mind spiraled with thoughts of the woman he loved—his beautiful angel, and he hesitantly spoke, "So your eyes glow deep, menacing red, your lips stained with blood, and red droplets trickled down your chin as you suck the red liquid. Are you telling me that you are beautiful beautiful anymore, that you are a vampire with sharp fangs? I don't care, Eva. We lived a year, and you've posed no threat to me, and you are and will always be my angel."

Listening to Justin, Eva's voice trembled, tinged with sadness.

"After my family died, I found refuge with an old woman in a distant village. She knew what I was but still cared for me. She fed me animal blood to keep me alive. That was my life—surviving on scraps, hiding in the shadows, just trying to stay sane. Now, I survive on just an ounce of fresh blood daily."

Tears welled in her eyes as she spoke. "And after all those centuries, I met you."

Her words choked as she continued, "I bite and suck blood from females only—those I heal and erase their memories. That's the monster I am."

Justin stood frozen, overwhelmed by the truth. Eva's words shook him, yet his love for her was more stronger than fear.

"I didn't mean to fall in love with you," she whispered, her voice breaking.

"For centuries, I've kept myself away from people. But with you... I couldn't stop myself."

Justin stepped closer, his heart aching for her. "Eva, I don't care what you are. I love you."

She shook her head as tears streamed down her face.

"You don't understand, do you, Justin. I can't live a normal life. I can't marry you; I can't grow old with you. I'll never be able to give you the life you deserve."

Justin's voice cracked with emotion. "I don't care. We can figure this out together. We'll find a way."

Eva took a deep breath. "There's no way to fix this. I've been waiting for something impossible—a fairy tale ending where a prince kisses me, and I'm transformed into a human. But that's not real, Justin. That's never going to happen."

Justin's heart shattered at her words. "Eva, please. Don't leave me."

"I have to," she whispered. "For your sake."

Eva turned away from him, knowing what she had to do. "I love you, Justin. But you'll forget this... and me."

Before Justin could react, she looked into his eyes, her vampiric powers working to erase his memories.

The world around Justin grew blurry as Eva's words slowly slipped from his mind. He felt her kiss his forehead softly, her lips cold but filled with love.

"I'll always love you," she whispered. "But you'll forget... and move on."

When Justin opened his eyes, he was alone on the balcony. He couldn't remember why, but he felt an empty ache in his heart.

Eva was gone.

Far away, Eva stood on a hill, watching the sunrise. Tears streamed down her face as she whispered, "Goodbye, my love."

She turned and walked into the shadows, her heart heavy with the weight of a thousand years of solitude. Eva knew she would never find the peace she longed for, but she had done what was necessary.

Justin would be safe, and she would continue to live in the darkness.

Justin went about his life, never recalling the woman who had once been everything to him. But sometimes, in his dreams, he saw a beautiful woman with dark hair and blue glowing eyes. She would smile at him, her lips as red as cherries, but she was always just out of reach.

He couldn't remember who she was, but the feeling of loss lingered.

Eva, meanwhile, moved from city to city, continuing her eternal journey. She knew that she could never escape her curse, but she still clung to the hope that someone—somewhere—might someday help her find her way back to humanity.

She remained the vampire, wandering the earth, always watching, constantly yearning, always loving the man she could never have.

Until they meet again!

.    .    .