The chains tighten

Chapter 15 – The Chains Tighten

"A golden cage is still a cage."

The morning sun filtered through the thick curtains, casting soft golden rays across the luxurious bedroom. Sophia stirred, her body aching in ways she couldn't understand. A wave of nausea rolled through her, sharp and insistent, forcing her to scramble from the bed. She barely made it to the bathroom before she was retching into the toilet.

Her hands trembled as she clutched the sink, staring at her pale reflection. The sickness had started days ago fatigue, dizziness, the unsettling nausea but she had chalked it up to stress. She was exhausted, trapped, and constantly under Adrian's suffocating presence. It made sense that her body would rebel.

She rinsed her mouth and stepped back into the bedroom, only to find Adrian standing by the door, watching her. His sharp eyes darkened with something unreadable.

"You've been sick for days," he stated. "Why haven't you told me?"

"It's nothing," she muttered, avoiding his gaze.

A muscle in his jaw twitched. "You're seeing a doctor today."

Sophia stiffened. "No, I don't need—"

"You're seeing a doctor," he repeated, his voice leaving no room for argument.

She wanted to protest, but the look in his eyes made her swallow her words.

---

By afternoon, Adrian had arranged a private dinner. Sophia hadn't agreed she never agreed to anything but when Adrian commanded, resistance was futile.

The restaurant was one of the most exclusive in the city. Candlelight flickered on the table, casting warm glows on the wine glasses. It was a setting meant to be romantic, but Sophia only felt trapped.

Adrian watched her, his fingers lazily twirling the stem of his wine glass. "Eat," he ordered.

She forced herself to take a bite, her stomach churning. His gaze felt like a chain around her neck, tugging her closer with every passing second.

"You're beautiful tonight," he said, his voice softer than usual. It sent shivers down her spine.

She didn't answer, focusing on the silver fork in her hand.

A shadow moved nearby. Her head lifted, and her breath hitched.

Liam.

He was standing near the bar, speaking to someone, unaware of her presence. A thousand emotions clashed in Sophia's chest. He was alive. He was here. But before she could do anything, Adrian followed her gaze.

His expression darkened instantly.

"Don't," he warned in a low voice.

Sophia tore her eyes away, her pulse pounding.

"Did you think I wouldn't find him?" Adrian continued, sipping his wine as if they were discussing the weather. "That he could hide from me?"

Her throat tightened. "Please, don't hurt him."

He leaned in, voice dripping with quiet menace. "That depends on you, little wife."

Tears burned in her eyes, but she forced herself to remain composed. She had no power here.

---

By the time they returned home, Noah was waiting for her. The sight of her little brother, sitting on the couch in their extravagant living room, filled her with both comfort and pain.

"Sophia!" he ran to her, hugging her tightly.

She held onto him like a lifeline, pressing a kiss to his hair. Adrian stood nearby, watching them like a silent predator.

"You'll be starting school again next week," he suddenly announced.

Sophia pulled back. "What?"

"You wanted to return, didn't you?" His smirk was cruel. "I'll allow it. But you'll go under my rules. Bodyguards. No unnecessary interactions. No Liam."

Her heart clenched. Even her freedom wasn't real.

---

Later that night, Sophia lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Adrian's arm was draped over her possessively, his warmth suffocating.

She hadn't realized her hands had drifted to her stomach until Adrian's voice cut through the silence.

"You don't even know yet, do you?"

Her body went rigid.

His fingers trailed lazily across her stomach. "You're pregnant, Sophia."

Her breath caught.

No. No, that couldn't be true.

He chuckled darkly at her silence. "I knew before you did."

Terror flooded her veins.

She couldn't have this child.

And Adrian knew it.