Shackled by fate

The first rays of morning filtered through the curtains, soft light cascading onto the bed. My eyes fluttered open, but the heaviness in my chest didn't lift. It had been a week since Nathan left, and every single day of his absence had been torment. The ache of longing for his embrace was compounded by the reality of my life now—days and nights trapped in Julls' suffocating grasp.

Today was the last day of the seminar. I should have felt a glimmer of relief, but instead, panic brewed in my chest. Where was Nathan? He hadn't called or sent word. Could Julls have done something to him? It wasn't out of the realm of possibility. Julls was possessive, domineering, and dangerous—his power both tangible and terrifying. Even in the novel, his character wielded influence with an iron fist, bending everyone to his will.

As these thoughts swirled in my head, I felt a familiar weight shift beside me. I'd forgotten that Julls was still in bed. His hand slid across my bare skin, pulling me closer. He pressed his lips to the side of my neck, his breath warm and invasive. Instinctively, I froze, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Good morning, my little treasure," he murmured, his deep voice laced with possessiveness.

I shut my eyes tightly, wishing I could disappear, wishing this nightmare would end. There was no escaping him. I had tried to distance myself, to resist, but each attempt was met with an invisible wall of power and control. Julls wasn't gentle, and he never would be. His hands were rough, claiming, branding me in ways that left no room for defiance.

If only I had some kind of cheat—some miraculous escape route that could break his hold over me. Where was the kind of deus ex machina that appeared in stories to save the helpless protagonist? No glowing system screen appeared to guide me. No divine intervention. Just the cold reality of Julls' dominance and my own inability to fight back.

The morning passed in a haze of submission. His touch was relentless, his demands unyielding. My body bore the marks of his control, and my spirit felt frayed, as if it could snap at any moment. By the time we were done, my legs wobbled beneath me, barely able to hold my weight.

I managed to convince my family that I'd been staying at a friend's house all week. It wasn't a complete lie—I was staying at someone's house, though I'd hardly call Julls a "friend." At least they wouldn't worry about me.

Julls drove me to the seminar, his hand resting possessively on my thigh the entire way. I stared out of the window, hoping the day would pass without incident. Thankfully, the final session went smoothly—until it didn't.

The scent of food from the buffet table hit me like a freight train. My stomach churned violently, and I barely made it to the restroom before I started vomiting. The nausea came in waves, leaving me breathless and clutching the sink for support.

Moments later, Julls was at my side, his brows furrowed with concern. "You're pale. I'm taking you to the hospital," he declared, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"No," I croaked, shaking my head weakly. "It's nothing. I just need to rest."

"Rest?" he echoed, his eyes narrowing. "You can barely stand, Cael." Despite my protests, he swept me into his arms and carried me to the car.

As much as I hated to admit it, his pheromones were soothing, wrapping around me like a warm blanket. I leaned into him, exhaustion pulling me under as I closed my eyes.

When I woke, everything was different. The room around me was sleek and modern, with dark ocean hues and stark white accents. It was coldly elegant, much like the man who brought me here.

I sat up slowly, blinking in confusion. The fabric brushing against my skin was… unfamiliar. Looking down, my cheeks burned with humiliation. I was wearing a translucent robe that clung to my body, leaving absolutely nothing to the imagination. Beneath it, I was completely bare.

My heart raced as I tried to make sense of my surroundings. Memories of the car ride flooded back, and realization hit me like a tidal wave. Julls had brought me here.

"Awake already?"

His voice sent a shiver down my spine. Turning my head, I saw him lounging on the edge of the bed, his predatory gaze locked on me. He looked too relaxed, as if this was all a game to him.

"Why… why am I here?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Julls' lips curved into a smirk as he moved closer, his hand reaching out to trace my waist. "Because you're mine, Cael," he said simply, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

I flinched at his touch, but he didn't stop. His fingers slid across the sheer fabric, his movements slow and deliberate. "You look stunning," he murmured, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "Almost too perfect to touch. But I will touch. Again and again."

His words made my skin crawl, but I forced myself to stay still. Fighting him would only make things worse.

"Please," I whispered, barely able to meet his eyes. "I just want to go home."

"This is your home now," he said firmly, his expression darkening. "You'll stay here, with me, where you belong."

Tears pricked the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I couldn't break—not here, not in front of him.

Julls leaned in, his lips brushing against my ear. "Don't worry, my treasure," he said softly, though his words held an edge of menace. "I'll take good care of you. And the life we've created together."

My blood ran cold. Life? Was he talking about…

No. It couldn't be.

Panic surged through me as his hand rested on my stomach, his touch possessive and claiming. "Let's nurture this very well," he whispered, pressing a kiss to my temple.

A single tear slid down my cheek as the weight of his words settled over me. There was no escape, no solace, no Nathan to save me. I was trapped, bound to a man I couldn't love, in a life I never chose.