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Kayla's POV

“Ethan, stop,” I whispered, my voice barely audible, even to myself. “I don’t want this. I don’t want you.”

He didn’t seem to hear me, or maybe he didn’t care. His hands tightened on my shoulders as he tried to pull me closer, his lips brushing against my cheek, too close to my mouth. I tried to turn my head, but the effort made my dizziness worse.

“Please, stop,” I managed to say again, my voice stronger this time, but still shaky. I pushed at his chest with what little strength I had left, but it was like trying to move a wall.

Ethan’s persistence didn’t waver. “Kayla, you’re not thinking straight,” he murmured, his voice soft but insistent. “You need to relax, let me take care of you.”

“I don’t need you to take care of me,” I said, my frustration growing along with my fear. “Just leave me alone.”

He ignored my words, guiding me towards a bench in the garden. My legs felt like they might give out at any moment, and I hated that I had to rely on him to keep me upright. Bu