Tainted chains

Chapter 17: Tainted Chains

"A caged bird may stop fighting, but it never stops longing for the sky."

Sophia lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her body rigid as Adrian's warmth surrounded her. His arm was draped possessively around her waist, his breath steady and deep against the back of her neck. He was asleep. But she wasn't. She couldn't.

Her mind kept replaying the scene at the restaurant the way Liam had looked at her, the silent plea in his eyes, the helplessness in hers. She had wanted to run to him, to scream for help. But Adrian's fingers had curled around hers in warning, his presence a shackle she could never break free from.

Her hands clenched into fists under the blanket. How had she ended up like this? A girl who once had dreams, now trapped in a life she never wanted.

And now, this pregnancy…

She refused to acknowledge it.

But her body was betraying her. The nausea, the exhaustion, the way her emotions felt raw and unhinged it was all adding up.

No. No. No.

She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the thoughts away.

She would not have this child.

A lump formed in her throat at the realization. The very thought felt foreign, yet it clung to her like a second skin. She wasn't ready. She couldn't be a mother. Especially not to his child.

Her fingers trembled as she gently tried to lift Adrian's arm off her waist. If she could just slip out quietly—

"Where do you think you're going?"

Her body tensed. His voice was thick with sleep, but there was an edge to it, a silent dare.

"I—I need water," she whispered, forcing calm into her voice.

Adrian hummed, shifting slightly, but he didn't move his arm. Instead, his grip tightened. "I'll have someone bring it to you."

Sophia swallowed. She knew better than to argue when he was in this mood.

"I can go back to sleep," she muttered.

"Good girl," he murmured, pressing a slow kiss against her bare shoulder.

Her skin crawled.

He fell back asleep within minutes, his breathing evening out. Sophia remained stiff in his hold, the weight of his arm a cruel reminder that escape was impossible.

For now.

---

Morning

The dining room was silent except for the soft clinking of silverware.

Noah sat beside Sophia, his little legs swinging under the chair as he nibbled on his toast. His presence was the only thing keeping her sane.

Adrian, dressed sharply in a black suit, sat across from her, sipping his coffee. His gaze was unreadable, but she could feel it watching, assessing.

A maid refilled her orange juice, but just the scent made her stomach turn. She quickly pushed it aside, hoping Adrian wouldn't notice.

He did.

"You should drink that," he said casually.

Sophia shook her head. "I don't want it."

His brow arched. "You've barely eaten."

"I'm not hungry."

Adrian set his coffee down. "You'll eat."

A flicker of defiance rose in her, but before she could snap at him, Noah tugged her sleeve.

"Sophia? You don't like the food?"

Her anger crumbled at the concern in his voice. Forcing a small smile, she picked up her fork. "I'll eat, Noah."

Satisfied, her little brother returned to his meal.

Adrian's smirk was subtle but victorious.

She hated him.

---

After breakfast, Adrian took her to his office.

The room was massive, with dark mahogany furniture, bookshelves lining the walls, and a large glass window overlooking the estate. It reeked of power, of him.

Sophia stood stiffly in front of his desk as he leaned back in his chair, studying her.

"Your classes resume next week," he said, tapping a document. "I've arranged everything."

Her heart skipped. School. A taste of normalcy. A small chance to breathe.

But then she noticed the name of the university.

Her stomach dropped.

"This isn't my school," she whispered.

Adrian smirked. "It is now."

Sophia shook her head. "No. I was at Central University."

"Not anymore," he said simply.

Her blood ran cold. "You're moving me to another school? Why?"

"You really have to ask?" His smirk vanished, replaced by something darker. "I'm not going to let you prance around freely. You'll be under surveillance, where I can control who you interact with."

Her throat tightened. "Liam."

Adrian's eyes gleamed. "Smart girl."

She clenched her fists. "You can't just uproot my life like this!"

He stood, rounding the desk to stand before her. "I already have."

Sophia stepped back, shaking. "I hate you."

Adrian chuckled, tilting her chin up roughly. "And yet, you'll do as I say."

Tears burned behind her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

She was trapped.

Again.

---

That night, Sophia locked herself in the bathroom, gripping her phone tightly.

Her heart pounded as she typed the message.

Sophia: Liam, I need your help.

Seconds felt like hours.

Then

Liam: Sophia? What's wrong?

Her fingers trembled. She couldn't say much. Adrian monitored everything.

Sophia: I can't stay here. I need to get out.

A long pause.

Liam: Tell me where you are. I'll find a way.

Hope. A tiny flicker of hope.

But just as she exhaled in relief

The door handle twisted.

Sophia's stomach dropped.

Adrian.

Quickly, she deleted the messages and turned on the faucet to mask the sound of her pounding heart.

The door opened.

Adrian leaned against the frame, arms crossed. "Who were you texting?"

She forced a casual shrug. "No one."

His eyes narrowed.

For a moment, she thought he'd call her bluff. But then, he stepped closer, tilting her chin up roughly.

"Don't test me, little dove," he murmured. "You won't like the consequences."

Sophia swallowed hard.

He smirked, brushing a thumb over her lips before walking away.

She released a shaky breath, her grip tightening on the sink.

She wouldn't give up.

One way or another

She would escape.