Chapter 29: No Way Out

I tried to pretend it wasn't real.

Tried to ignore the way my body felt different—the nausea, the exhaustion, the heaviness I couldn't shake.

But it was real.

And it was growing inside me.

A part of them.

A reminder that there would never be a way out.

Unless…

I took matters into my own hands.

A Plan Born from Desperation

They had tightened their control.

I wasn't allowed alone in a room for more than a few minutes.

I wasn't allowed to move without Leo deciding where I went.

I wasn't allowed to refuse food because Nico made sure I swallowed every bite.

And I wasn't allowed to resist because Adrian wanted to make me feel how permanent this was.

They treated me like a vessel. A container for something that belonged to them.

Not a person.

Not Sophia.

But I wasn't carrying this thing for them.

I wouldn't.

I had to get rid of it.

The First Attempt – Pain Means It's Working

It started with small things.

I forced myself to move more than my body could handle.

Running up and down the stairs when they weren't looking.

Throwing myself against walls when I was left alone.

Digging my nails into my stomach, pressing hard enough to leave marks.

Pain meant it was working.

Pain meant maybe this thing wouldn't survive.

But it wasn't enough.

So I pushed harder.

The Second Attempt – Starvation Isn't Enough

I stopped eating again.

For days, I let the food sit untouched on my plate.

I drank just enough water to stay conscious.

They forced me to eat, of course.

But if I swallowed slowly enough—if I made myself sick enough after— maybe it wouldn't matter.

Maybe it would still be enough to get rid of it.

Maybe—

Maybe I was running out of time.

Because they were watching me too closely now.

And the sickness wasn't fading.

It was getting worse.

The Final Attempt – No More Waiting

I couldn't wait any longer.

It had to happen now.

Tonight.

They were in the other room. Talking, drinking, distracted.

I forced myself to stand.

My legs shook.

But I pushed forward, gripping the walls as I moved.

My head spun. Everything hurt.

But I made it.

The bathroom door shut behind me.

I locked it.

My breath came fast, sharp. I knew what I had to do.

I grabbed the edge of the counter.

If I threw myself hard enough—if I hit the right spot—

It would be over.

This nightmare would end.

I closed my eyes.

And then—

I lunged forward, slamming my stomach against the counter.

Pain exploded inside me.

I gasped, the force knocking the breath from my lungs.

It hurt. God, it hurt.

But I did it again.

And again.

And again.

I gritted my teeth, swallowing a scream as I pressed harder, pushing down with all my weight.

And then—

A sharp sound cut through the air.

The lock snapping open.

The door flew inward.

And a hand gripped the back of my neck, yanking me backward.

I gasped, stumbling, my body collapsing against something solid.

Leo.

His arms locked around me, stopping me from falling.

But I wasn't finished.

I struggled, thrashing weakly against him. "No—let me go—"

His grip tightened like steel.

"What the fuck are you doing?"

The Aftermath – Their Wrath Comes Down

The next thing I knew, I was being dragged into the living room.

Leo's grip on my wrist was crushing.

Adrian was already standing, storm-gray eyes narrowed as he took in the scene.

Nico.

Nico was still sitting, but his emerald-green gaze had darkened completely.

The moment Leo let me go, my legs collapsed beneath me.

I hit the floor, my vision swimming with black spots.

No one moved.

Then, Nico stood.

Slow. Deliberate.

And when he spoke, his voice wasn't calm this time.

It was lethal.

"Explain."

I couldn't.

I had no words.

Only gasping breaths.

Only the unbearable ache in my stomach.

But they already knew.

They had seen everything.

The Punishment – You Will Obey

Leo crouched in front of me first.

His fingers gripped my chin, forcing my head up.

His icy-blue gaze burned into mine.

"Are you that fucking stupid?" he asked softly.

I sucked in a sharp breath.

"You don't get to choose," he continued. "You don't get to fight this."

I clenched my jaw. "I don't want it."

Leo's fingers tightened.

"You will have it."

A shudder ran through my body.

I tried to look away, but he didn't let me.

Adrian finally let out a slow breath, running a hand through his hair.

"You really thought we'd let you get away with this?" he mused.

There was no amusement in his voice this time.

No teasing.

Only pure, cold possession.

I swallowed hard.

And then—

Nico took a slow step forward.

He didn't crouch.

Didn't speak right away.

He just looked at me.

Like I was nothing.

Like I was stupid for even trying.

Then, finally, he said it.

"You will never be alone again."

I sucked in a sharp breath.

Because I knew what that meant.

They weren't letting me out of their sight now.

Not for a second.

I had lost my last chance.

The True Realization

They didn't touch me after that.

They didn't yell or hit or scream.

They didn't have to.

Because the real punishment was something worse.

I was never alone anymore.

Not in the bedroom.

Not in the shower.

Not even when I closed my eyes.

I belonged to them.

And now?

So did the thing growing inside me.

There was no escaping it.

I curled up in bed that night, my arms wrapped tightly around myself.

And for the first time,

I truly, completely broke.