Ch. 15

Raya's POV

Cruz's lips met mine in a fury, and the more I tried to fight it, the stronger the feeling of power got, until it extinguished the anger in me. I couldn't breathe, feeling overwhelmed by the power that was coursing through me. When Cruz pulled away from me, his dark eyes locked with mine, and I saw the same surprise mirrored in his expression. We had both felt that power, but as intoxicating as it was, I didn’t want this with Cruz.

“No! This is not how you prove your point, Cruz!” I exclaimed, my voice filled with frustration and defiance. “You can’t just kiss me and expect me to forget everything, to forget everything, to accept this fate you’ve decided for me.”

Cruz’s grip on the desk tightened, his jaw clenched. “I am doing what is best for you, Raya, but I see now that you need some time to come to terms with it.”

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions raging within me. “It’s not just time that I need! I won’t be forced into a life I didn