**two days deadline**

**Author's POV** 

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Two weeks later after Asher's birth , at the grocery mall, ARAYA'S attention never left her little bundle of joy as she picked the groceries from each rack . 

Suddenly a shadowy figure loomed over her ,blocking her path.

**"Hello, Miss Araya Kathryn Elizabeth Stewart... or rather, Mrs. Kath Yang."**

A cold shiver raced down Araya's spine, her breath hitching as the weight of that voice settled around her like a suffocating fog. Her fingers instinctively clenched the handle of the baby stroller, knuckles turning white. Disgust twisted her delicate features, her stomach recoiling at the sight of the man standing before her.

Erickson Dragon.

He had that smirk again, the one that sent a wave of nausea crashing over her. The same smirk he had worn the night he had stolen everything from her. He had been watching her; she knew it. He had been watching the moment she stepped into the mall, lurking, waiting like a predator.

His eyes—dark, unreadable—flickered between her and the baby, their daughter, as his lips curled into something between a sneer and a sick fascination.

**"She looks exactly like you,"** he murmured, slipping his hands into his pockets, his shoulders relaxed as if he wasn't a nightmare personified. **"Well, maybe a little more like me. Our princess, Asher, right?"**

A sharp, paralyzing dread shot through her veins. She could feel her pulse hammering against her throat, her grip on the stroller tightening. Her breath came in shallow pants, her mind screaming at her to run. But she couldn't move. She felt caged under his penetrating gaze.

**"What… do you want?"** she ground out, her voice trembling, rage and mortification entwined in every syllable.

Erick took a step forward. Then another. The space between them vanished in an instant. **"You,"** he said simply, dark promise laced in his tone. **"I want you, Miss Araya… or should I say, Kathryn? I want you and our baby."**

Her lips parted in shock, the sheer audacity of his words making her stomach churn.

**"Me?"** she whispered, a wobbly breath escaping her lips.

A laugh rumbled from deep within his chest, low and sinister. **"I want you by my side, sex doll,"** he said, his fingers brushing against her cheek with a sickening familiarity. She recoiled violently, but he caught her wrist, squeezing just hard enough to make her flinch. **"I need you, and I need our child. We will live as a family, as one. Isn't that what you've always wanted? A happy family together? I can give you that."**

Araya felt bile rise in her throat. **"I don't need a family like yours, Mr. Dragon,"** she spat, her voice laced with venom. She clutched Asher protectively to her chest, shielding her from the monster before them. **"Stay away from us. Stop contradicting reality with your obsession, because we will never be yours."**

Dragons grip tightened. ** He thought he could live without her ,he thought he could forget about her and live on with only their daughter but the more her tried to let go, the more he got estranged in this dangerous love"You are mine,"** he growled, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. **"And no one else can have you."**

Araya's stomach twisted in horror. She struggled against him, her breaths coming out ragged. The memories crashed over her like a tsunami—his hands, his cruelty, the nights she spent screaming in agony. Her vision blurred with unshed tears as she managed to rasp out, **"I… I am not yours, Luciano. I don't belong to you."**

His smirk widened. **"You do now. As long as Asher is alive, you will always be mine."** He leaned in closer, his lips ghosting over her ear. **"She is our mark, Araya. The mark I placed on you the night I claimed you."**

Terror gripped her entire being. She trembled violently, her mind spiraling at his words. He had hurt her before. He had destroyed her, shattered her into a million pieces, and now he was back to do it all over again.

He chuckled, the sound filled with dark amusement. **"You are my queen, the woman who bore my princess."** His voice was laced with mockery. **"But don't underestimate me, my queen. Just like I killed Jason and the others, I can make you a widow before you even become a wife."**

Her entire world tilted. Her knees buckled beneath her, and her lips parted in a silent gasp. The air around her turned suffocating, the weight of his words pressing down on her chest. Her head spun as fear clawed at her throat.

**"I am not yours, Luciano,"** she hissed, her voice hoarse but defiant. **"I am Araya Stewart. And I will never be your doll."**

Dragons took a step back, but his smirk never faltered. **"Two days, queen,"** he mused, tilting his head as if relishing her suffering. **"Oh, but I doubt you'll last even a day before you come running to me. Your countdown starts now. And let me remind you,"** he leaned in one last time, his breath fanning against her skin, **"I can sue you for keeping my child from me. And just like that—"** he snapped his fingers, **"Asher will be mine forever."**

Araya's breath caught. A fresh wave of panic coursed through her veins as she clutched her baby tighter. Her hands trembled, her vision swimming as the nightmare unraveled before her dragons gave her one last lingering look, his presence lingering like the scent of death itself, before he turned on his heels and walked away.

And just like that, he was gone. But the storm he left behind raged on inside her.

---

**Evening**

Araya curled under her covers, her body racked with silent sobs. Her pillow was damp with tears, her heart shattered beyond repair.

She had barely made it home, her hands shaking too violently to even hold a single grocery bag. She had handed Asher off to Ashley and locked herself in her room, collapsing onto the bed in despair.

Fate had never been kind to her. It had always played cruel tricks, stripping her of joy and drowning her in sorrow. How had she ended up here? How had her life spiraled into this unending nightmare?

A knock at the door startled her. She flinched, her body tense with fear.

**"Ara, it's me. Ash."**

Relief flooded her, but it was short-lived. **"You've been in there too long. Asher needs milk."**

Taking a deep, trembling breath, she wiped her tears and forced herself to answer. **"Come in, Ash."**

Ashley stepped inside, her brows knitting together in concern as she took in Araya's red-rimmed eyes. **"Are you okay?"**

Araya managed a weak nod. **"I… I can feed her now."**

Ashley hesitated. **"You don't look fine. Should I call Yang?"**

Araya gritted her teeth, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes. **"I'm just stressed, okay?"**

Ashley sighed but didn't push further. **"Alright. I have a birthday event to attend. I just wanted to check on you."**

Araya nodded. **"Go. Don't be late."**

As soon as Ashley left, Araya reached for Asher. Holding her close, she hummed a lullaby, her fingers gently caressing the baby's soft cheek.

Tears welled in her eyes as Luciano's words echoed in her mind.

**"I will take Asher from you."**

Her breath hitched as she looked at her daughter's innocent face, her tiny hands curling against Araya's chest. As if sensing her distress, Asher's lips parted into a soft, toothless smile.

Araya bit her lip, her vision b

lurring with fresh tears.

**How could she ever give up this little bundle of joy? How?**