Chapter 9 : A Trap with No Escape

Celeste woke up feeling heavy, as if invisible chains were binding her. The morning sunlight filtered through the thick curtains, but its warmth couldn't penetrate the coldness of the room.

As her consciousness fully returned, Celeste realized something.

The door was locked.

She sat up abruptly, but her body felt drained, every muscle stiff as if resisting her movements. She bit her lip, trying to suppress the lingering pain that coursed through her. The memory of last night… it still clung to her, making her shiver in silence.

With trembling hands, she walked toward the door and tried the handle.

It wouldn't budge.

Celeste held her breath.

"No way…" she murmured. She tried again, harder this time, but it was useless.

At that moment, the sound of footsteps echoed from the other side. Celeste froze as the key turned in the lock, and the door swung open smoothly.

Alistair stood there, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips.

"Good morning, Celeste." His voice was deep and controlled, yet something lurked beneath it. "You're awake earlier than I expected."

Celeste glared at him. "You locked me in."

Alistair shrugged as if it was nothing. "Of course. I couldn't risk you making any foolish decisions while I was away."

Celeste clenched her fists. "This is insane, Alistair! You can't keep me locked up like this!"

He chuckled softly before stepping inside and closing the door behind him. Casually, he moved closer until only inches separated them.

"Listen carefully, Celeste," his voice dropped, colder now. "I warned you. I won't let you go."

Celeste stepped back, but Alistair swiftly caught her wrist, pulling her toward him.

"You still don't understand your position, do you?" he murmured. "Every time you resist, you only make things harder for yourself."

Her breath hitched. She could see the unwavering resolve in his eyes—there was no room for negotiation, no chance for escape.

"I don't want this, Alistair."

His gaze darkened, and he reached up to touch her face. His fingers were cold as they traced her cheek. "But I want you."

Celeste shut her eyes, trying to contain the storm of emotions raging within her.

Alistair leaned in, his breath ghosting against her ear as he whispered,

"And I always get what I want."

Deep inside, Celeste knew…

There was no way out of this trap.

Celeste struggled to steady her breathing, but Alistair's presence was too close, too suffocating. His hand was still wrapped around her wrist—firm but not painful, as if warning her that he could be much rougher if she dared to resist.

"You won't be able to keep me locked up forever," Celeste whispered, her voice filled with determination despite the tremor in her body.

Alistair's lips curled into a small smile, his expression as if savoring the fear hidden deep within her. "Oh, sweetheart… I don't need to keep you locked up forever. I just need to make sure that, in the end, you won't want to leave."

Celeste's gaze sharpened. "That will never happen."

Alistair tilted her chin up with his fingers, forcing her to meet his eyes. "You underestimate how far I'm willing to go to make you surrender."

Her heartbeat pounded violently against her ribs.

Alistair traced her cheek with his thumb, his touch deceptively gentle, a stark contrast to the underlying threat in his words. "I'm giving you a choice, Celeste. You can keep resisting and make this harder for yourself… or you can accept the truth—that I'm the only choice you have."

Celeste bit her lip, refusing to show any sign of weakness. "Do you really think I'll give in just because you say so?"

Alistair held her gaze for a long moment before letting out a low chuckle. Then, he leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear as he spoke in a dangerously quiet voice.

"No, sweetheart." He took a slow, deep breath, as if savoring the tension he had created. "I think… you'll surrender when you realize that no matter how hard you try, you can't escape me."

Celeste swallowed hard.

Alistair slowly loosened his grip on her wrist, but before she could step away, his arms wrapped around her waist, locking her in place.

"I want to see how long you can keep up this resistance, Celeste." His voice was almost a whisper, but the certainty in it sent a cold shiver down her spine. "Let's see… who wins in the end."

Their eyes locked, and for the first time, Celeste truly felt powerless.

Alistair wasn't just an obsessive man.

He was a man who never lost at anything.

And this time, Celeste was his game.

Celeste stared at the man before her, her breathing ragged. Her body was still exhausted, but the fear creeping into her veins kept her alert.

Alistair watched her with an intense gaze, as if waiting for the moment she would finally break. He wasn't in a hurry. He showed no signs of letting her go.

"Do you know why I'm never worried when you try to resist?" Alistair's voice was low and sharp.

Celeste didn't answer.

A slow smirk curled on his lips as he lowered his head slightly until their faces were at the same level. "Because you always end up in the same place… right in my grasp."

Celeste held her breath.

"I will find you, Celeste, no matter how far you try to run." His fingers gently traced the side of her face, creating an unbearable tension. "I don't care how many times you try to escape. I don't care how many times you hate me." He paused before whispering against her ear, "In the end, I will still be the only place you return to."

Celeste clenched her fists. "You can't control my life forever."

Alistair chuckled softly, then met her eyes with an unwavering stare. "I don't need forever. I only need enough time… until you realize that resisting me is pointless."

Celeste felt her blood boil, but deep down, she knew—Alistair wasn't just making empty threats. He had full control over everything.

And in this trap, Celeste truly had no way out.