Chapter 10: Chained in Silence

Seraphina sat frozen on the bed, her body numb. She tried to think. To remember.

But there was nothing. No memory of the night before. No clues. Just darkness. The last thing she remembered was—

Damien handing her the food. Her eating it. Then— Sleep. A deep, unnatural sleep.

Her stomach twisted. Oh God. Did he…

Her breath hitched. Did he drug her? Her fingers dug into the bedsheet, heart racing. Suddenly—

The door swung open. Seraphina's head snapped up, and there he was.

Father Damien.

The man she had once trusted. The man who now stood before her like a stranger.

He was calm. Too calm. Like nothing had happened. Like he hadn't just destroyed her. His robe was perfectly neat. His face unbothered. And that made her sick.

"Get ready."

His voice was casual, like he was asking her to prepare for morning prayers.

Seraphina felt like vomiting.

"I'm not going with you."

Her voice was quiet but firm.

Damien tilted his head, lips pressing into a thin line. Then, he sighed. Like she was a child refusing to obey.

"Seraphina," he said patiently. "You have no choice."

She clenched her jaw. "I do."

Damien's eyes darkened. He took a slow step forward.

"And what will you do?"

Seraphina stiffened.

His voice had changed.

Gone was the soft, gentle priest.

Now, his tone was low, cold—dangerous.

"Run?" Damien chuckled. "And go where?"

Seraphina glared at him. "I'll tell the convent—"

"And say what?" Damien cut her off, raising a brow. "That I… what? Violated you?"

Seraphina's hands tightened into fists.

That's exactly what happened.

But Damien simply smiled.

A cruel, knowing smile.

"You have no proof."

The words felt like a knife.

"No one will believe you, Seraphina."

She staggered back.

Her stomach twisted as his words sank in.

He was right.

The Church adored him.

He was respected, loved, trusted.

Who would believe a young, naïve girl over a dedicated priest?

Seraphina felt sick.

Damien took another step closer, lowering his voice.

"So here's what's going to happen."**

"You will come with me."**

Seraphina's nails dug into her palms.

"And if I don't?"

Damien's smile vanished. His eyes turned sharp.

"Then I will make sure that when we return to the convent, you are cast out."

Seraphina's breath caught.

What?

Damien's voice was soft, but each word cut through her like a blade.

"I'll make sure they believe you are wicked, possessed, a sinner in disguise."

Her blood ran cold.

"I will take everything from you."

Her lips parted in horror. This wasn't just about keeping her silent. This was about power. About keeping her under his control.

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

Damien leaned in slightly, his voice gentle again. "I don't want to hurt you, Seraphina."

She almost laughed. He already had.

Her whole life had been built on faith, and in a single night—

He had shattered it. But she had no choice. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she slowly nodded.

Damien smiled, stepping back. "Good girl."

Seraphina felt disgusted.

The Car Ride—A Shocking Truth

The sun was barely rising as they reached the car. Seraphina hesitated before getting in. Something felt wrong.

Her gaze flickered to Damien as he slid into the driver's seat. He placed the key in the ignition and turned it. The engine roared to life instantly.

Seraphina's breath hitched.

She turned to him sharply. "I thought the car was broken."

Damien's hands tightened on the wheel. "It was."

Seraphina's heart pounded. Liar. He was lying.

Her mind raced back to last night—

The car conveniently "broke down."

They were "forced" to stay at the guesthouse.

And now, the car was working perfectly fine?

Seraphina's chest tightened. He planned this. The realization hit her like a storm. He planned all of it.

Her fingers curled into the fabric of her dress as she stared out the window. The sky was turning a pale pink. The village was still miles away.

And she was trapped alone with him. She pressed her hand over her chest, trying to calm the storm inside her.

But one thought kept screaming in her mind. I have to get away. She didn't know how. Didn't know when.

But one thing was clear—

She could never trust him again.