Chapter 19: The Hunt Begins

Sebastian had spent the last five days tearing the city apart, searching for Aurora.

He hadn't slept properly, hadn't eaten, and the pain from his injuries only added fuel to his determination.

He had started by investigating every single detail about Adrien, who he talked to, where he went, how he behaved.

No stone was left unturned. The more he dug, the more suspicious Adrien seemed.

Then, like a sudden bolt of realization, everything clicked.

His accident.

At first, he had dismissed it as a random hit-and-run, but the more he thought about it, the more it made sense.

Adrien had deliberately rammed into him. Why? Because he was getting too close? Because he was a threat?

Sebastian refused to let it go.

He pulled every resource he had, throwing money at people, bribing sources, tracking down every lead. And finally, after scouring through hours of CCTV footage, the truth revealed itself—

Adrien had rented the car.

Under a different name, yes, but his face was caught on a security camera.

That was all Sebastian needed.

He didn't inform the police.

This wasn't something the law could handle.

This was personal.

Pain rippled through his body as he started his car, but he didn’t care. He was heading straight to Adrien.

Meanwhile…

Aurora’s hands trembled as she clutched the piece of broken glass. The sharp edge had already cut into her skin, but she barely felt it.

The only thing that mattered was that she was finally free.

Her wrists burned as she sliced through the rope binding her hands. A relieved sob escaped her lips as the restraints loosened.

She wasted no time, quickly cutting away at the ties around her legs.

When she was finally free, she staggered to her feet, her legs wobbly from days of being restrained.

Adrien had gone out.

She didn’t have much time.

She scanned the room, her eyes locking onto the bedroom door. Locked.

Panic started to creep in, but she forced herself to stay calm. She needed a way out.

Her eyes landed on a heavy lamp in the corner.

Without a second thought, she grabbed it and smashed it against the door handle.

The sharp, loud sound echoed through the house, but she didn’t stop. She hit it again and again until the lock snapped open.

She stepped out cautiously.

The house was larger than she had expected, vast and empty, with no real furniture.

The walls were bare, the floors spotless. It was eerie, lifeless.

Just like him...

Aurora took slow, measured steps toward the main hall.

Her heartbeat quickened.

She reached for the front door.

But before she could even touch the handle…

Click.

The unmistakable sound of a key turning in the lock.

Her blood ran cold.

Adrien was back.

Aurora’s instincts screamed at her to run. She turned quickly and dashed toward the kitchen, her breath ragged.

She needed a weapon. Something. Anything.

Her eyes landed on a knife.

She grabbed it, pressing herself into the shadows, hiding behind the fridge.

Then… Silence.

She could hear him moving. Hear the soft rustling of fabric as he removed his coat.

Then his voice.

“Aurora…”

Her heart nearly stopped.

The way he said her name, calm, slow, menacing.

He was playing with her.

He knew.

Adrien’s sharp eyes swept over the kitchen. He had always been meticulous, obsessive about his surroundings.

Everything had its place.

And now, something was missing.

The knife.

A dark smirk spread across his lips.

His gaze shifted slightly to the side, where the door to Aurora’s room was slightly ajar.

She had escaped.

But… not completely...

The main door couldn’t be opened without his instruction. The windows were sealed shut. She had nowhere to go.

Adrien took a step forward, his fingers rolling up his shirt sleeves slowly.

"If you don’t come out…" His voice was teasing, taunting.

"Then let’s play a game."

Aurora held her breath.

His footsteps echoed against the cold floor.

"Hide and seek," he whispered.

"If I find you…" He paused, his tone dark and promising. "I’m going to make you mine."

Aurora’s grip on the knife tightened, her entire body shaking.

She had to get out.

She had to run.

But Adrien wasn’t going to make it easy.

And if he found her first…

There would be no escape.

TO BE CONTINUED...