CHAPTER :17.2 Elizabeth’s Embrace

The night was thick with quiet, disturbed only by the soft groan of the ceiling and Haru's quiet breathing. Moonlight poured across the floor in silver slants, but for Veronica, the shadows seemed alive—waiting, watching.

She rolled over in bed, hugging her doll, and froze.

Elizabeth was there.

Lying beside her. Inches away. Eyes shining softly in the dark.

"E-Eliz…" Veronica whispered, her throat dry.

Elizabeth did not respond. She shifted smoothly, purposefully. One hand on Veronica's shoulder, pushing her back flat against the mattress. Then her weight came down, holding her in place.

"Elizabeth, stop!" Veronica whispered, her eyes darting nervously over to Haru sleeping in the bed beside her.

But Elizabeth moved nearer until her breath brushed Veronica's lips.

"Shh… He can't hear us. It's just you and me."

Her lips slammed into Veronica's in a kiss that took her breath. Veronica gasped, but Elizabeth grabbed the moment, tongue pushing in, deepening the kiss so Veronica wriggled beneath her.

"Mmm. Eliz," Veronica attempted to jerk away, but Elizabeth's hand wrapped around her chin, holding fast.

Another kiss. More intense. Then another. Elizabeth crushed her mouth, her cheek, her jaw, even her throat. Each kiss was desperate, hot like she wasn't getting enough.

Veronica struggled, her voice cracking. "I—I can't breathe, please—"

Elizabeth's lips ground harder, stifling the words, devouring them in another long, unforgiving kiss. Veronica's hands shoved feebly at her shoulders, but Elizabeth pushed closer, their bodies pressed tight.

When she finally released the kiss, Veronica's lips were moist, shaking. Elizabeth lingered over her, eyes blazing with hunger.

“You belong to me,” she whispered, before descending again—kissing along Veronica’s neck, her collarbone, then back to her lips. Quick, desperate kisses, one after another, until Veronica’s head spun.

“Eliz… stop… Haru is—”

Elizabeth silenced her with a rough kiss, her weight pressing down. “I don’t care about Haru. He’s nothing. Only me.”

Her lips receded again and again, taking over all of Veronica's face, forehead, lips, nose, and even the eyelids. Her hand crept to Veronica's wrist, holding it against the bed sheets, reminding Veronica there was no way out.

Veronica whimpered, torn between fear, shame, and a burning she did not comprehend.

When Elizabeth finally drew away, her lips were wet, and her smile was cruel. "Every breath, every heartbeat, it's mine."

Then, as quickly as she came, Elizabeth vanished. The air grew cold and empty, but Veronica was shaking, lips chapped, chest pumping. She held her doll close, eyes brimming with tears.

Next to her, Haru moved in his sleep, innocent, ignorant.

Veronica didn't sleep for hours, her heart heavy with guilt and confusion.

Light from morning seeped into the room. Haru stretched, smiling like nothing had occurred.

"Veronica… let's head to the beach today. Everyone. A day out properly."

Veronica halted, Elizabeth's words ringing in her head: Every breath, every heartbeat. It's mine.

She smiled and nodded awkwardly. "Y-yeah… the beach."

But deep within her, she knew Elizabeth would never release her.