The wind howled through the trees surrounding the estate, carrying the promise of a storm. Heavy clouds loomed over the mansion, casting the landscape in an eerie twilight even though it was only late afternoon. The first droplets of rain splattered against the arched windows, sliding down the glass like tears.
But inside, the real storm was already brewing.
---
The Dining Hall – A Shattering Silence
Liana sat stiffly at the large dining table, staring at her untouched plate. The silver fork in her hand remained still as she pushed the food around, her stomach too knotted to eat.
Across from her, Adrian's gaze was sharp, predatory. He wasn't eating either. His fingers were loosely wrapped around the crystal wine glass, but his eyes never left her.
She could feel his gaze on her skin—cold, heavy, possessive. It made her skin prickle.
Her hands trembled slightly, and she clenched her fists under the table, trying to steady them.
The silence between them was deafening.
Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. She set her fork down with a soft clatter and raised her eyes to meet his.
"What do you want from me, Adrian?" she asked quietly.
His lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile. But his eyes remained cold. "Everything."
Her heart stuttered.
She shook her head slowly, her eyes hardening. "You can't have me."
His eyes darkened, his grip tightening slightly around the glass. "You don't have a choice."
Her stomach clenched painfully at the chilling finality in his tone. She wanted to lash out, to tell him he was wrong, but she knew better. He always got what he wanted.
Her throat tightened as she pushed back from the table, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. "I'm not hungry," she muttered hoarsely before turning to leave.
But before she could take two steps, his voice stopped her cold.
"Sit. Down."
Her breath hitched. She slowly turned her head, locking eyes with him. The barely restrained fury in his gaze sent a chill down her spine.
But she didn't move.
Instead, she squared her shoulders and held his gaze. "You can't control me, Adrian."
His jaw ticked. The veins in his forearms tightened slightly. But he didn't speak.
Instead, he simply rose from his chair with slow, measured movements. The soft sound of his chair sliding back made her stomach twist.
She took an instinctive step back.
But he was faster.
In one swift motion, he was in front of her. His hand wrapped around her wrist with bruising force, and he yanked her back against him. She gasped softly, her hands pressed against his chest.
His lips were at her ear, his voice a low, dangerous growl.
"You think you have a choice, Liana?" he rasped. His breath was hot against her skin. "You lost that the second you walked into my world."
Her pulse pounded against her throat. "You're hurting me."
His grip loosened slightly, but he didn't let her go. Instead, his fingers slowly trailed down her wrist, grazing her skin. His touch was cruelly gentle—a stark contrast to his ruthless hold.
"I could destroy you," he whispered darkly. "But I won't. I'll make you crave me… even when you hate me."
Her breath hitched sharply.
But before she could respond, the heavy oak door to the dining hall suddenly burst open.
Dominic rushed in, his expression tense, his eyes sharp.
"We have a problem," he said briskly, his tone laced with urgency.
Adrian's eyes flicked toward him, his grip on Liana tightening protectively. "What is it?"
Dominic's jaw clenched. "Scarlet."
---
The Estate Grounds – The Trap Unfolds
The rain poured down in heavy sheets, soaking the ground into a muddy mess. The night was thick with tension, the darkness heavy with something far more sinister.
Scarlet stood just beyond the estate's outer walls, her hair plastered against her face from the rain. Her lips curled into a wicked smile as she peered through the iron gates.
Her eyes glittered with cruel satisfaction as she spotted Liana's figure near the window on the upper floor.
Her fingers curled into fists at her sides. "You won't win, Liana," she whispered venomously. "He was mine first."
A dark figure approached her from the shadows—a man with a scar running down his cheek. He handed her a small black device.
She smiled cruelly as she ran her fingers over the cold metal. "Are the explosives in place?"
The man nodded once. "Ready when you are."
Her smile widened into something deadly.
Without hesitation, she pressed the small button in her hand.
---
The Mansion – Fire and Chaos
A deafening explosion shook the entire estate. The windows shattered with a piercing crack, and flames burst through the walls of the west wing.
The force of the blast sent Liana crashing to the floor, shards of glass cutting into her arms. She let out a sharp cry, curling into herself as the heat of the flames licked at her skin.
The world around her blurred. The sharp ringing in her ears made it hard to focus.
She could hear voices shouting—men rushing through the halls, barking orders. The faint sound of gunfire echoed somewhere in the distance.
But through the chaos, she felt strong arms suddenly around her, pulling her up.
She gasped sharply, her eyes flying open.
Adrian.
His face was smeared with soot, his shirt slightly torn. His eyes were wild, his breath ragged. But his grip on her was unyielding.
"Liana!" he rasped, his voice hoarse. "Are you hurt?"
Her eyes were wide with fear. She shook her head numbly, but her hands were trembling violently. "I—I can't breathe," she choked.
Without hesitation, he swept her into his arms and carried her out of the burning hall, his jaw clenched with ruthless determination.
The fire raged around them, but his eyes remained fixed on her—his only focus.
"Stay with me," he growled. "You're not leaving me."
Her fingers curled weakly into his shirt, her vision blurring. "Adrian…" she whispered weakly. "Don't let me go."
His arms tightened around her. "Never."
---
The rain had finally stopped. The fire had been extinguished, but the estate was in ruins. The once-pristine west wing was reduced to blackened rubble. Smoke still lingered in the air, clinging to the broken stone.
Liana sat by the fireplace in Adrian's study, her hands wrapped around a cup of tea she couldn't bring herself to drink. Her hands were still trembling slightly.
Adrian stood behind her, leaning against the window frame, his face hard and unreadable. His knuckles were still bloodied from the fight.
She could feel his eyes on her. Watching. Always watching.
Finally, she broke the silence. "It was her, wasn't it?" she asked softly.
Adrian's jaw tightened. "Yes."
Her hands clenched around the cup. Her voice wavered. "She won't stop, will she?"
He didn't answer.
Instead, he slowly crossed the room. He knelt beside her chair, his hands gently prying the cup from her trembling fingers.
He stared into her eyes, his own dark and unwavering.
"I'll protect you," he vowed. His voice was low, firm. "No matter what it takes."
And for the first time in weeks, she believed him.
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See you in next chapter....