Emily’s POV

The warm water cascaded over me, washing away the dirt but never the filth I felt inside. My body was clean, yet I still felt tainted. I scrubbed my skin raw, hoping—praying—that maybe, just maybe, the ache inside would leave with the grime.

It didn’t. It never does.

After drying off, I pulled on a simple dress and stepped outside. The air was crisp, the scent of damp earth and roses filling my lungs. I wasn't hungry—I couldn't be. My stomach twisted at the thought of food, at the thought of anything, really.

I sat on the cool grass, staring at nothing. Empty. That’s what I was now. I should’ve known better, should’ve never let myself believe, even for a second, that Alex was anything other than my captor.

But my stupid, pathetic heart refused to listen.

A warm weight settled on my lap—Storm. His presence was comforting, his soft fur between my fingers the only thing keeping me grounded.

Tears burned at my eyes. Why is he still keeping me here if he has a fiancée now? Wouldn't she mind my presence? Or am I nothing more than a secret, something he’ll discard when she tells him to?

I bit my lip, swallowing the sob that threatened to escape. Where would I even go? My apartment was probably gone, my rent long overdue. My college dreams? Dead.

I had nothing. No home. No family. No future.

Why was I even alive?

The thought sent a chill down my spine, but before I could let it consume me, a voice snapped me back to reality.

"You. Come here."

I turned, blinking at the woman standing a few feet away. Her.

Alex’s fiancée.

I hesitated, looking around, hoping she was talking to someone else. She wasn’t.

Slowly, I stood, brushing the grass from my dress. "Yes?"

Her gaze raked over me, disgust curling her lip. "Who are you? If you’re a maid, why aren’t you wearing a uniform?"

I swallowed. "I’m not a maid."

Her eyes darkened. "You’re not?" She let out a laugh—sharp, mocking. "Oh, don’t tell me you’re his slut."

My breath hitched.

"Gosh, look at you," she sneered. "You must be really cheap, selling your body to an engaged man. Jesus, how pathetic. Didn’t your parents ever teach you any manners?"

At the mention of my parents, the dam broke. Tears fell. I wanted to scream, to deny it—but what was I? I let him touch me. Kiss me. Own me.

I was pathetic.

She took a step closer, lowering her voice to a venomous whisper. "Now that I’m here, you’re not needed. Leave. You disgust me."

I clenched my fists. Where was I supposed to go?

Before I could speak, her hand flew across my face.

Smack.

Pain bloomed across my cheek.

"You little slut," she spat. "I told you to leave. Get the fuck out. Now."

She grabbed my hair and yanked me toward the gates. My scalp burned, but I bit my lip, refusing to cry out. I won’t give her the satisfaction.

A guard stepped in front of us.

"Step aside," she commanded. "No, wait—kick her out."

He nodded, grabbing my arm too hard, his grip sure to leave bruises.

But before he could drag me further, another hand yanked me back.

Niko.

A slow, twisted grin spread across his face. "Finally," he murmured. "He’s done with you. Now let me show you your worth, you little slut."

Panic shot through me like ice. No. No. No.

I struggled, thrashing against his grip, but he was too strong. No one stepped in. No one stopped him. They all turned away.

He dragged me down a dark hallway, his breath hot against my skin. "I’ll fuck you till you can’t walk," he whispered.

Terror consumed me.

I clawed at him, my nails raking across his cheek. He hissed, then—slap.

Pain exploded across my face. My vision blurred.

No. Fight. Fight.

His hands fisted my hair, yanking my head back as he ripped at my shirt. Tears streamed down my face.

I bit down—hard.

Niko screamed, shoving me away. Run.

I didn’t think. I ran.

My bare feet pounded against the cold floors. My lungs burned. But I didn’t stop.

I saw them—Alex. His men.

"Help!" My voice was raw, desperate.

Alex turned. His face went cold. Then, murderous.

He saw Niko behind me. Saw my torn clothes.

And then—he moved.

Before I could reach him, my foot caught on something. I fell, hard.

Niko was behind me. I could feel him. I could feel the darkness closing in.

"Help," I gasped. "Please."

Alex’s gaze locked onto mine. Something dark, something terrifying flickered in his eyes.

I couldn’t stop the words that spilled from my lips. "I-I’ll go away. I swear. Just—please, don’t let him hurt me."

Silence.

Then, he moved.

He ripped his coat off. I flinched. He froze. Then, gently—too gently—he draped it over me. Warm. Safe.

I clutched it tightly around myself, only now realizing—I was barely clothed.

He picked me up. My body trembled. Was he going to punish me? Hurt me for embarrassing him?

I didn’t care anymore.

"Just… kill me." My voice was barely a whisper. "I didn’t know you were engaged. I—"

My breath caught. My chest tightened. No. No. Not now.

I gasped, sucking in air, but it wasn’t enough. Panic attack.

Alex was there in an instant. His hands cupped my face.

"Look at me, kotenok. Breathe. Follow me." His voice was soft. Steady. Dangerous.

I couldn’t breathe. My vision blurred.

"In," he murmured. "Out. Follow me. In. Out."

I obeyed.

Slowly. Slowly.

The panic eased.

"Good girl," he murmured.

I was so tired.

He lifted a glass of water to my lips. I drank, some spilling past my lips. He wiped it away, pulling me onto his lap. His arms wrapped around me, his hands stroking my back.

Safe.

The tears started again. I buried my face in his chest. Broken. So, so broken.

"Now," he whispered, voice laced with something deadly. "Tell me everything. Every. Single. Thing."

His grip tightened.

"You're mine. And I'll be damned if I don't kill the people who dared to hurt what’s mine."

Author’s Note:

Wow… this chapter was intense. Emily’s pain, her desperation, and the darkness closing in—it all felt so raw while writing. Alex’s possessiveness is terrifying yet protective, and the way he reacts… let’s just say, hell is about to break loose.

To everyone reading, thank you for being here. This story isn’t just about romance—it’s about obsession, survival, and the thin line between love and destruction. Things are only going to get darker.

Let me know your thoughts! Do you think Alex can still redeem himself? Or is he too far gone?

Until next time, stay dark. ♠️