Chase stood alone in the center of the dark room, the dim light casting long, jagged shadows on the walls. His breath echoed through the silence as if the entire space was breathing with him. His sharp black suit clung to his muscular frame, and his red tie seemed to pulse with the same twisted obsession that flooded his mind. His eyes were wide, alive with an uncontainable madness. Slowly, a smile crept across his lips—a smirk that only grew wider, more deranged, until his laughter broke free.

He threw his head back, laughing hysterically, his voice bouncing off the empty walls like the melody of a man who had lost everything sane. The laugh came deep from his chest, raw, broken, and ecstatic, filled with an uncontrollable joy that shouldn’t exist in such darkness. He spun in a small circle, his black shoes tapping against the cold floor in rhythmic madness, the movement growing faster, more manic with every step. Chase twirled as if he was dancing with someone, his arms raised in the air as if holding an invisible partner close to him.

“You're here…” he whispered to the empty room, his lips curling into a smile as his eyes glazed over. He swayed back and forth, moving as if he were waltzing, his feet gliding over the ground effortlessly. “Yes… so perfect… so beautiful…” His voice dropped to a low murmur, and his movements became smoother, more calculated, as though the invisible partner was now real, tangible.

In his mind, she was with him—his Petal, his beautiful obsession. His madness was not loneliness but possession, and in this darkness, she existed for him. He twirled again, the motion slow and graceful now, and his hand reached out as if touching something ethereal. He could feel her, even if she wasn’t physically there yet.

“You’re mine, Petal,” he murmured, a soft, gentle whisper that carried the weight of his madness. “Mine… to love… mine to ruin.”

He spun again, his laughter returning in sharp bursts as he imagined the scene in his head—a scene where she belonged to him, body and soul, where no one could take her away. His eyes fluttered closed as he continued the dance alone, completely lost in the fantasy, the world of madness that only he could see.

But then, suddenly, something changed. He felt a soft touch, gentle, like a breeze brushing against his skin. It made his eyes snap open, and his heart skipped a beat. There she stood—Petal. She was real now, standing before him, more breathtaking than his twisted imagination had ever crafted. Her red gown shimmered in the dim light, and her hair cascaded over her shoulders, free, wild, just like the woman who owned his every waking thought.

She smiled at him—so soft, so sweet, so accepting of everything he was. She didn't recoil from his madness. Instead, she stepped closer, her hand extending towards him with grace and familiarity.

Chase’s breath hitched, his smile faltering for a moment as he realized she was really here. He hadn’t even noticed when she arrived, too lost in his delusion. But here she was, standing right in front of him, her fingers now entwining with his, pulling him deeper into their shared madness.

“Chase…” Petal’s voice was soft, barely a whisper, as her gaze locked onto his. Her eyes, so calm, so knowing, bore into him as if she could see every dark, twisted part of him. And she did not flinch.

“You came…” Chase breathed, his voice trembling slightly, not with fear but with overwhelming joy. His fingers gripped hers tightly, possessively, as if he feared she might disappear if he let go. “You’re really here.”

Petal smiled, her hand resting on his chest, right over his rapidly beating heart. “I’m yours, Chase. I’ve always been yours.”

His grin returned, wider, more deranged than before. He pulled her close, his arm wrapping around her waist as they began to dance. Slowly at first, their bodies moving in perfect sync, a haunting waltz that belonged in the depths of the most twisted of love stories. The music that played in his mind was slow, deliberate, each note echoing the obsessive rhythm of his heartbeat.

“You’re mine to love,” he whispered into her ear, his voice husky with the weight of his possession. “Mine… to ruin.”

Petal leaned into him, her lips brushing against his cheek as she responded, “I’m yours to ruin, Chase. Forever.”

His breath caught in his throat at her words, the weight of her acceptance sinking deep into his chest. She was his, completely, utterly his, and the madness that filled his mind twisted further into something more dangerous. It was no longer just obsession. It was triumph, satisfaction, a high that surged through his veins.

“Forever,” he repeated, his voice barely above a growl. “You’re mine forever, Petal.”

Their movements quickened, becoming more frantic, more desperate, as if they were both teetering on the edge of something dark and endless. His hands gripped her waist tightly, pulling her impossibly closer, and she didn’t resist. She welcomed it—welcomed him, his madness, his possession. Her body melted into his as if they were two parts of the same soul, caught in a dance that could never end.

Chase’s laughter filled the room again, a broken, maniacal sound that matched the frantic pace of their dance. He twirled her in his arms, their bodies spinning as they moved faster, faster. His mind raced, his thoughts consumed with one thing—her. Everything was her. Petal. His obsession, his love, his ruin. She was everything.

“You belong to me!” he shouted, his voice echoing through the room as if the walls themselves were mocking his claim.

Petal’s voice was soft but firm as she responded, “I belong to you, Chase. Only you.”

Her words sent a surge of adrenaline through his veins, and he laughed again, louder this time, throwing his head back in sheer, unadulterated joy. “You’re mine! You’re mine!” he screamed, the madness in his voice breaking through every corner of his mind. “Mine to love! Mine to ruin!”

His grip on her tightened, his fingers digging into her skin, but she didn’t flinch. She only smiled, that soft, knowing smile that drove him wild with desire and obsession. She was his, and she wanted to be his. It was everything he had ever wanted, everything he had ever needed.

Petal’s voice was calm, soothing, as she whispered against his ear, “I’m yours, Chase. I’m yours… forever.”

He stopped suddenly, their wild dance coming to an abrupt halt as he stared down at her, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His eyes were wide, his pupils blown with the intensity of his emotions as he held her close, so close he could feel the beating of her heart against his chest.

“Forever…” he whispered, his voice trembling with satisfaction.

She nodded, her fingers trailing softly along his jawline. “Forever,” she repeated.

A low growl escaped his throat, and his lips crashed against hers in a desperate, possessive kiss. She was his, and he would never let her go. His hands tangled in her hair as he pulled her even closer, their bodies pressing together as if trying to merge into one.

When he finally pulled away, his lips still brushing against hers, he whispered, “You’re mine, Petal. Mine to love. Mine to ruin.”

Petal smiled softly, her eyes filled with the same madness that danced in his. “I’m yours to ruin, Chase. Your ruin… forever.”

His laugh burst free again, louder, more maniacal than ever before. It echoed through the room, a sound of pure, twisted joy as he spun her in his arms once more, their dance resuming with a newfound intensity. His obsession, his madness, had consumed him entirely, and now, he was free. Free to love her. Free to ruin her. Free to claim her, forever.

Chase was lost in the dance, the room spinning as his arms held her close, her red gown swirling around them like flames. His heart raced with joy, his grip tightening on her waist as they moved in perfect harmony. Petal was smiling up at him, her eyes shining with love and devotion. He twirled her again, feeling her soft hand in his, her presence filling his senses completely. It was perfect—everything about this moment was perfect.

“You’re mine, forever,” he whispered, his voice tender but filled with the madness of his obsession.

Petal’s lips parted to respond, but suddenly, everything blurred. The room shifted, the warmth in her gaze flickered, and her form began to fade.

"Chase... Chase..." a voice called softly, like an echo in his mind, pulling him away from the dream.

He didn’t wake, not fully. Instead, a soft smile crept across his lips as he stayed wrapped in the feeling of the dream. He lay still, content, his heart filled with the euphoria of the moment.

“Chase!” This time, the voice was real, close, and accompanied by a gentle touch on his shoulder.

His eyes fluttered open, and the smile on his face remained as he blinked, slowly realizing the transition from his dream to reality. Petal stood beside him, her face close to his, looking concerned yet amused. She had moved him with her hand, gently shaking him awake.

“What were you smiling about in your sleep?” she asked, her tone soft, with a hint of curiosity.

Chase sat up, still wearing the remnants of the smile from his dream. He stretched, running a hand through his disheveled hair as he blinked a few more times to fully wake up. His eyes met Petal’s, and the warmth of his dream lingered in his chest.

“I was watching a perfect dream,” he said, his voice still soft with the haze of sleep. His gaze lingered on her, the memory of their dream-dance still vivid in his mind.

Petal smiled, tilting her head a bit as she held out a cup of coffee she had brought for him. “Oh yeah? What kind of dream makes you smile like that?” she asked, clearly intrigued.

Chase’s lips curved into a gentle smile as he took the coffee from her, his eyes never leaving hers. He took a sip, the warmth of the drink grounding him as he thought about how to answer.

“I was dancing,” he said, his tone light but laced with affection. “Dancing with the love of my life, telling her how much I love her… and she was agreeing with every word.” He chuckled softly, his mind still drifting between the dream and reality.

Petal blinked, a soft laugh escaping her as she sat beside him on the edge of the bed. “Oh, so you mean Mom, huh?” she teased, her eyes playful as she looked at him.

Chase smiled at her innocence, shaking his head slightly as he set the coffee cup down on the nightstand. “Yes, Petal. Mom,” he said, a little grin tugging at his lips.

both smiled as the morning light filtered into the room. There was a sense of ease between them, a quiet comfort in their casual conversation

They sat together in a comfortable silence for a few moments, sipping their coffee and letting the stillness settle around them. The quiet was soothing. He glanced at Petal from the corner of his eye.

Breaking the silence, Chase asked softly, “Have you thought more about the treatment? Going to give it a try?”

Petal hesitated, her fingers tracing the rim of her cup. She bit her lip, glancing down at the floor. Chase noticed the shift in her demeanor immediately, the way her shoulders tensed ever so slightly.

“I... I don’t know,” she admitted quietly. “I’ve been thinking about it, but I’m not sure I can just make that decision on my own. I think I want to talk to Dad about it first.”

Chase’s expression tightened for a fraction of a second, his jaw clenching imperceptibly. He quickly masked the change, keeping his tone even as he spoke. “Petal, he won’t allow it. You know that.”

Petal sighed, her voice growing softer, almost pleading. “I know, Chase, but I can’t just do this without talking to him first. It’s a big decision, and... well, he called earlier. He said he’s coming today.”

Chase’s heart dropped, his mind racing. He fought to keep his face neutral, to hide the anger and frustration that threatened to boil over. For a moment, his expression went completely blank, his mind going numb. He couldn’t let her see how much this affected him.

"What?" he asked, trying to sound casual, but there was a slight edge to his voice.

Petal tilted her head, sensing something off in his tone, but she smiled gently. “He promised me.  He’ll be here today.”

Chase took a slow breath, nodding, though his insides churned. He masked his expression again, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yeah... sure, Petal. He’ll come.”

She looked at him closely, a flicker of confusion crossing her face. His response felt strange, like there was something he wasn’t saying. But she brushed it off, too excited by the prospect of her dad finally visiting to dwell on it.

“So you’re going to tell him everything?” Chase asked, his voice sounding steady, though his mind was swirling.

“Kind of,” Petal replied, shrugging. “I’m just... I need him to know what’s going on, and I need his advice before I can move forward with anything. It’s important to me.”

Chase nodded, his fingers gripping the cup a little tighter. He didn’t trust himself to say anything more at that moment. He couldn’t let his frustration show, couldn’t let her know what was really going through his mind.

Petal seemed oblivious to the storm inside him, her eyes bright with anticipation. “I just hope he doesn’t get mad,” she said with a nervous laugh.

“He won’t get mad,” Chase said quickly, the reassurance slipping out before he could stop it. His voice was calm .

Petal smiled at him, clearly relieved by his words. “I hope you’re right.”

Just then, a voice called from the other room. “Petal!” It was her mom, her voice echoing down the hallway.

“Excuse me,” Petal said, standing up. She flashed Chase a quick smile before hurrying out of the room, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

As soon as she was gone, Chase’s expression darkened, the mask he’d been holding in place slipping away. His hands clenched into fists, and he felt the sharp sting of his nails digging into his palms. The thought of her father coming back, interfering with everything... it made his blood boil.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He couldn’t lose control. Not now. He needed to play it smart, keep everything under control, just like he always did. But deep down, he couldn’t shake the feeling of dread. Her dad wouldn’t just give his blessing. He’d do everything in his power to keep Petal away from him. And that... that couldn’t happen.

Chase took another slow breath, his mind racing with possibilities, already trying to figure out how to handle what was coming next.

Chase dialed a number on his phone. When the person on the other line picked up, his voice was calm, controlled. "Today." That single word held an ominous weight before he cut the call, smirking with satisfaction.

......

Petal, had spent the whole day bubbling with excitement. Her anticipation was contagious, even Maya couldn't help but feel happy for her. “You’re glowing,” Maya had teased, watching Petal prepare everything meticulously, as though her dad’s arrival would be a perfect reunion.

Chase decided to stay home, silently watching her every move. He knew exactly how the day would end, and he didn't want to miss a moment. His smirk never left his face as he imagined how crushed she would be when reality finally set in.

The hours passed slowly, the bright sunlight fading into the quiet dimness of evening. Petal’s excitement remained constant. She was eager, her every breath filled with hope and joy.

"It’s almost time," Petal said, her voice trembling with happiness, barely able to sit still.

Maya looked at her fondly. “He’ll be here any moment, darling, but let’s go have dinner while we wait.”

Petal shook her head, smiling. “No, mom I’ll have dinner with Dad. He’ll be here soon. I’m sure.”

Just then, Maya’s phone rang. It was William. “See? It’s him!” Petal exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she clutched the edge of the table.

Maya picked up the phone, her smile slipping the second William began to speak. The color drained from her face as she listened, her heart sinking. Whatever he was saying, it wasn’t good.

“mom?” Petal asked, her voice now soft with concern. “What is it? ”

Maya shook her head, her lips trembling as she tried to find the right words. “No… he’s not coming … Petal…”

Petal’s heart stopped, her excitement crashing down around her. “What do you mean?” She couldn’t understand it, wouldn’t accept it. “He promised... he said he would come.”

Maya’s face was pale, the weight of the words too heavy to speak. She only shook her head again, eyes glistening with sympathy and sadness.

That was all Petal needed to know. The hope that had been shining so brightly within her was extinguished in an instant. Her father wasn’t coming. The reality of it hit her like a wave, and without saying another word, she turned and fled to her room, tears already streaming down her face.

Chase stood there , watching it all unfold with an unspoken satisfaction. His smirk deepened as he saw the tears spill from Petal’s eyes. This was exactly what he had wanted.

"Perfect," he whispered to himself, his dark eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
---

Chase’s POV

It was all part of my plan—every detail, every move, every decision. I had to make Petal mine, completely, but for that to happen, I needed to remove one of the biggest obstacles in my way. Her father. He was the only person standing between me and her, his constant presence, his promises. She clung to him like a lifeline, always waiting for him, always looking to him for approval.

But I couldn’t have that. No. For Petal to be truly mine, I had to keep him away. And I knew exactly how to do it.

I created a distraction. A perfect distraction. A copycat of me, someone who kills just like I used to—sharp, precise, deliberate. I designed it all meticulously. The killings had to be convincing, enough to get her dad chasing after my shadow, too preoccupied to think about his daughter. I made him hunt after ghosts while I stood right here, next to Petal, untouched, unnoticed. It was brilliant.

Now, you might be wondering: why a copycat? Why not just do the killings myself? After all, I’ve never shied away from the act. But don’t forget—I made Petal a promise. I told her I’d stop, and for her, I did. She believes in me, believes I’ve changed. I couldn’t betray that trust. Well, not completely.

I know, I know… you’re thinking about those two murders. Don’t look at me like that. I’m not responsible for all of it—just the necessary ones. The boy… the one who dared to have her name tattooed on his chest. Her name. Petal’s name, on his worthless skin. How dare he? He had to go.Petal is mine, and no one else has the right to even think about her.

Then there was that anchorwoman. She… she deserved worse. She had the audacity to dirty our relationship. Spreading lies, trying to taint what Petal and I have. I don’t regret that one, not at all. Some people just deserve more than death.

But beyond those, I’ve kept my promise to Petal. And I knew if I was going to keep it, I needed someone else to handle the rest. That’s where my copycat came in.

Whenever her father plans to come and see her, to break the spell I’ve carefully woven around her, my copycat strikes. The murders are brutal, they catch everyone’s attention, and her father? He’s forced to stay at work, unable to leave, too busy hunting down a killer that he’ll never find.

In this way, I hit two birds with one stone. First, her father stays far, far away from Petal, leaving me with all the time I need to get closer to her. Second, with her father out of the picture, it’s easier for me to convince her. Slowly, carefully, I can work my way into her heart, into her mind.

And it’s working. Oh, it’s working beautifully. Every time her father promises to visit, every time Petal’s eyes light up with hope, I know exactly when and how to crush it. Because her father will never come. Not while I’m in control.

Tonight was just another perfect example. She waited and waited, excitement bubbling in her every breath, in every step she took. And then? Then Maya got that call. Her father wasn’t coming, and Petal’s world crumbled. I watched as her heart shattered right before my eyes, watched the tears spill down her face as she ran to her room, broken. And I loved every second of it.

Because now, more than ever, she needs me. And I’ll be there. I’ll always be there, waiting, watching, making sure she knows who truly loves her.

Soon, she’ll see. Soon, Petal will be mine completely. All I need is time, and thanks to my perfect little plan, time is exactly what I’ve got.

End of chase pov

Author’s Note:Deception in the Dark  refers to a situation where someone is misleading or tricking others while hidden or under the cover of darkness. It implies a sense of secrecy and manipulation, suggesting that the truth is concealed and that someone is using cunning or dishonest means to achieve their goals.

So, I just wrote the previous chapter this morning, but I wasn’t fully satisfied. I really wanted to write a lot more, and even now, See the scene still isn’t finished. However, I think it’s already reached a good length, so I decided to stop here for now. vote only  if you enjoyed the chapter! I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments . Have a wonderful night and  sweet dreams whenever you’re off to sleep. Thank you so much for reading! ❤️