Chapter 27 – A Terrifying Certainty

Celeste stared at Alistair without blinking, her heart pounding so hard it hurt her chest. There is no way out. The phrase echoed in her mind like a terrifying mantra, reverberating through every corner of her thoughts.

Alistair still held her wrist, his cold fingers pressing against her skin as if imprinting the certainty that he would never let her go.

"You're thinking too much," Alistair's voice was soft, almost a whisper. But there was something lurking beneath his tone—something that made Celeste shiver.

"I just…" Celeste tried to pull her hand away, but his grip tightened.

"What? You just what, Celeste?" His eyes bore into hers, demanding an answer.

Celeste swallowed, searching for the right words. "I just want to know… what do you really want from me?"

Alistair's lips curved into a faint smile. Cold. Devoid of warmth. "I've told you countless times, darling. I want you. Completely."

The air around her felt thinner. "But I don't belong to you, Alistair…"

For a brief moment, his expression hardened. Then, in an instant, he pulled her closer, lowering his head until his warm breath brushed against her cheek.

"You still don't understand, do you?" he whispered. "I never asked for your permission."

A cold fear slithered through Celeste's chest. Not just because of his words, but because of the way he said them—full of certainty, without even a hint of hesitation.

"I can give you everything, Celeste. I can give you the world," he continued. "But I can also destroy yours."

Celeste felt her body weaken. This wasn't just a threat. It was a statement.

"And I've been patient long enough," he added, his voice deeper now. "I need you to understand—there is no way out, no chance of escape. You are mine."

Celeste shut her eyes, struggling to steady her ragged breaths. If she fought back now, she knew Alistair wouldn't simply let it go.

Then, as if reading her thoughts, Alistair leaned in even closer, his voice dropping into a chilling whisper.

"So, Celeste…" he murmured. "Are you still thinking of leaving?"

Celeste held her breath.

And for the first time, deep inside, she felt truly powerless.

The room felt smaller, the air around Celeste growing heavier. Alistair's gaze was so intense, it seemed to pierce through every last defense she had left.

"I won't let you run," he repeated, his cold fingers curling under her chin, lifting her face until their eyes met.

"Do you… truly have no other choice?" Celeste whispered, her voice barely audible.

Alistair narrowed his eyes. "Choice?" He let out a low, sarcastic laugh. "I've never believed in choices. I only believe in what I want, and I will have it—no matter what it takes."

Celeste's body tensed as his fingers traced down, brushing along her jawline with a touch that was contradictory—gentle, yet possessive.

"Why me?" she asked, her breath hitching. "Out of all the women in this world, why did you choose me?"

Alistair's eyes darkened. "Do you really want to know?"

Celeste hesitated before giving a small nod.

He leaned in, resting his forehead against hers. "Because no one else has ever made me feel this way," he whispered. "And I am not the kind of man who lets go of something valuable."

A lump of fear mixed with something deeper swelled in Celeste's chest. There was something about the way Alistair spoke—the way he claimed, the way he looked at her—that made her feel truly trapped.

"You will remain mine, Celeste," he continued. "Whether you accept it now or later, it doesn't matter. I have ways to ensure you'll never leave me."

Celeste's heartbeat quickened. There was an urgency in his voice, an edge that sent a chill down her spine.

"What do you mean?" she asked, even though she feared the answer.

Alistair traced her lips with his thumb, his gaze flickering with something unreadable. "One day, you'll understand, Celeste. And when that day comes… you will know that you can never leave."

Celeste bit her lip. There was something in his tone that told her this wasn't just a threat.

It was a promise.

And for the first time, Celeste realized that the way out might have already been sealed completely.