The Desperate Escape

Julls' lips lingered on mine, rough and domineering, as he kissed me goodbye. I kept my expression as neutral as possible, though every fiber of my being screamed to recoil, to push him away. Instead, I did what I had been forced to learn—submit. "Goodbye," I murmured, my voice trembling despite my efforts to sound composed.

He smirked, his eyes narrowing as if he could see through the thin facade of my compliance. Without another word, he pulled me into another deep kiss, his hands gripping my waist possessively. My stomach churned, but I endured it. Two hours later—two agonizing hours—he finally left.

The moment the door clicked shut, my lungs heaved in a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. I wiped my lips furiously, trying to erase the sensation of him. My heart thundered in my chest, both from disgust and the flicker of hope that now sparked within me. This was my chance.

I hurried to the bedroom, rifling through his wardrobe. His clothes were far too big for me, but I didn't care. I grabbed a pair of jeans and a button-down shirt, securing the oversized pants with a belt. They hung awkwardly on my frame, but it was better than the translucent fabric he forced me to wear around the apartment.

With shaky hands, I checked the front door. Locked, of course. The balcony was my only option. I stepped outside, the cool air biting at my skin as I looked over the edge. It was high—too high. If I jumped, I'd break something, and in my condition, that wasn't an option.

"Think, Cael," I whispered to myself, biting my lip as I paced. My eyes fell on the pile of clothes in the corner and the blankets on the bed. They weren't ideal, but they'd have to do.

I worked quickly, knotting the rough fabrics together into a makeshift rope. My fingers trembled as I tied each piece, securing the end tightly to the bedframe. My mind raced with thoughts of what might happen if Julls returned early, if he caught me. No. I couldn't think about that. I refused to live like this any longer.

The thought of the life growing inside me only hardened my resolve. I couldn't accept this child. I couldn't accept this bond. I wouldn't let Julls control me—not now, not ever.

Once the rope was ready, I threw it over the edge of the balcony and began my descent. Every muscle in my body screamed as I held onto the makeshift rope, sliding down inch by inch. The rough fabric burned my palms, but I didn't stop. I couldn't stop.

When my feet finally touched the ground, relief washed over me, but I didn't waste time celebrating. I ran.

The cool air stung my face as I sprinted down the road, my heartbeat pounding in my ears. My legs ached, my breaths came in gasps, but I didn't dare slow down. All I could think about was getting as far away as possible.

As I reached the edge of the road, a car approached in the distance. I waved my arms frantically, praying the driver would stop.

The car slowed, its headlights blinding me for a moment before it came to a halt. My chest heaved as I stood there, staring at the vehicle. The door opened, and someone stepped out.

My breath caught in my throat.

"Nathan?"

There he was. His towering frame, the familiar intensity in his eyes—it was Nathan. Relief flooded my chest, so overwhelming that my legs nearly gave out beneath me.

"Cael?" His voice was sharp with worry as he closed the distance between us. His hands gripped my shoulders, his eyes scanning me as if checking for injuries. "What happened? Why are you out here?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but the words caught in my throat. My body trembled, and before I could stop myself, I collapsed into him.

"Please," I whispered, my voice breaking. "Get me out of here."

Nathan's arms wrapped around me, strong and reassuring. "I've got you," he said softly, his voice a balm to my frayed nerves. "You're safe now."

Safe.

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, I allowed myself to believe it.