The breaking point

The silence in the dimly lit room was suffocating. Elena sat on the edge of the bed, her arms wrapped around herself, as if trying to hold together the broken pieces of her soul. The echoes of Noah's words still rang in her ears—low, possessive, unrelenting.

"I'll never let you go, Elena. Even if you hate me."

Her breath hitched. She wanted to deny it, wanted to scream, but the weight of exhaustion held her captive. She had fought so hard, resisted so much, yet with each passing moment, she felt her defiance crumbling.

The door creaked open again. Her body went rigid.

Noah.

He stepped inside, his presence commanding, his gaze dark and unreadable. He didn't say a word, but the intensity in his eyes spoke volumes. He was waiting—for her to break, to surrender, to give in to the fire he had ignited within her.

She clenched her fists. "You can't keep me here forever."

A slow, almost cruel smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Watch me."

Her stomach twisted. He was serious. He always was.

Before she could say anything, he took slow, deliberate steps toward her. She moved back, only to hit the headboard. Her heart pounded. He reached out, his fingers ghosting over her cheek, making her shiver.

"Why are you doing this?" she whispered, her voice hoarse.

His jaw tightened. "Because I can't let you go."

Her breath came in short, uneven bursts. "That's not love, Noah. That's obsession."

He leaned in, his lips just a breath away from hers. "Then let it be obsession," he murmured. "Because whatever this is, it's consuming me."

A traitorous shiver ran down her spine. She hated the way her body reacted to him, the way his presence set her on fire even when her mind screamed for escape.

She swallowed hard, her hands pressing against his chest. "I hate you."

His gaze darkened, something raw flashing in his eyes. "Then hate me, Elena. Hate me all you want. But you're still mine."

A strangled sob escaped her lips. She wanted to deny him, to push him away, but the terrifying truth settled deep inside her. She was trapped—not just physically, but emotionally.

He had chained her in a way that no lock or prison ever could.

Hours Later…

Elena sat by the window, staring at the vast emptiness beyond. The night was eerily silent, as if the entire world had gone still. She had to find a way out. She couldn't let him win.

Her fingers traced the cold glass. She had tried running before, but Noah always found her. This time, she needed to be smarter.

The sound of the door unlocking made her stiffen.

She turned slowly, expecting Noah. Instead, it was Ethan—his right-hand man. His face was unreadable as he stepped inside.

"You should eat something," he said, placing a tray on the small table.

She didn't move. "Are you here to make sure I don't escape?"

Ethan sighed. "You know the answer to that."

Her throat tightened. "Ethan… please. Help me."

His jaw tensed, but he remained silent. He was loyal to Noah. They all were.

Her heart sank.

But then, just as he turned to leave, he whispered under his breath—so low she almost missed it.

"Midnight. The back gate."

Her breath caught. She stared at his retreating figure, hope flickering inside her.

Midnight.

Her chance was coming.

And this time, she wouldn't fail.

-----

The night stretched on, thick with tension. Elena sat still by the window, counting down the seconds. Her fingers trembled against the cold glass, but her mind remained sharp, focused. Midnight was close.

Ethan's whispered words replayed in her head. Midnight. The back gate.

A chance. A risk. A possibility.

The grandfather clock in the hallway chimed softly—eleven forty-five. Fifteen minutes. Her pulse quickened, nerves buzzing beneath her skin. She had to move carefully, had to be precise. Any mistake, and she would lose everything.

Her bare feet touched the cold floor as she moved toward the door. She pressed her ear against the wooden surface, listening for any sounds beyond. Silence. But she knew better. Noah always had eyes on her.

Not tonight.

Taking a deep breath, she tiptoed toward the dresser. The loose floorboard beneath it held her last hope. With slow, calculated movements, she pried it open and pulled out the small flashlight and knife she had hidden days ago. Just in case.

The clock ticked louder in her mind. Eleven fifty-five. Five minutes.

A deep inhale. A slow exhale.

She cracked the door open just a sliver, peeking out into the dimly lit hallway. The corridor was empty, but that didn't mean she was alone. Security cameras, guards, Noah himself—there were too many obstacles. But she couldn't afford to hesitate.

Slipping out, she pressed her back against the wall, inching her way toward the stairs. Each step felt like an eternity, her breath lodged in her throat. She had memorized the guards' rotations, had studied their movements. If Ethan was true to his word, the path would be clear.

Eleven fifty-nine.

She reached the back door, her fingers hovering over the handle. Her body was a live wire of adrenaline. Just as she was about to push it open—

A voice.

"Elena."

Her blood ran cold.

Noah.

She turned slowly, her heartbeat hammering against her ribs. He stood in the hallway, half in the shadows, his expression unreadable. The dim light cast harsh angles on his face, his jaw clenched, his stormy eyes locking onto hers.

"I knew you'd try," he murmured, stepping closer.

Elena's grip tightened around the knife hidden in her sleeve. "Then why didn't you stop me?"

A ghost of a smirk. "Because I wanted to see how far you'd go."

Her pulse roared in her ears. She refused to let fear consume her. "And now that you know?"

His eyes darkened. "You tell me."

Time slowed as she lunged. She didn't think—she acted. The blade slashed through the air, aiming for freedom, for survival. But Noah was faster. His hand shot out, catching her wrist mid-strike, yanking her against him. The knife clattered to the floor.

"Elena," he murmured, his breath warm against her skin, his grip unrelenting. "You can't win."

A spark of desperation ignited in her chest. With all her strength, she stomped on his foot, twisting out of his grasp. He cursed, just enough of a distraction for her to dart past him.

The door. The gate. Freedom.

She ran.

Her legs burned, her lungs screamed, but she didn't stop. The cool night air hit her as she burst through the door, her feet pounding against the ground. The estate loomed behind her, Noah's shouts echoing in the darkness.

The back gate.

She spotted it ahead, slightly ajar. Ethan had kept his word.

But so had Noah.

Footsteps thundered behind her. Closer. Closer.

She reached the gate, fingers clawing at the latch. Just as it swung open, an iron grip yanked her back. A gasp tore from her throat as she crashed against a hard chest. Arms caged around her, unyielding. A hand pressed against her mouth.

Noah's voice, low and raw, against her ear. "I told you, Elena."

She thrashed, but he held firm, his breath ragged. "You're mine."

A sharp prick at her neck.

Darkness swelled in the corners of her vision.

No.

Her body slumped, the world fading.

Noah caught her, holding her against him as she went limp. His grip softened, but his expression remained hard, unreadable.

He had warned her.

She should have listened.

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See you in next chapter.....