Bound by fear

Natalia's breath hitched as she felt the cold, unyielding chains tighten around her wrists.

"You don't understand," Ambrose's mother said, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and concern. "We're not doing this because we hate you, Natalia. It's because we love our grandson. You're carrying our blood."

Her heart clenched at the words. Their blood. She was nothing more than a vessel for their legacy now. Ambrose's mother continued, her hands wringing in nervousness.

"We don't want to believe you would harm him. But you've already proven you'll do anything to escape. We can't let you run away with our grandson."

Tears welled in Natalia's eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She swallowed the lump in her throat and tried to gather her thoughts. She had to stay strong. She had to stay calm.

"Please," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I don't want to hurt anyone. I just want to go home."