Attempted Escape

No sooner had Nadi stepped into the bedroom than Adi seized her wrist and yanked her toward the bathroom before she could even bring her other foot inside.

Two years of prison life had left Nadi's limbs perpetually chilled. Her wrist, now encircled by Adi's firm grip, felt as cold as frost against his heated palm. The sharp contrast sent a burning sensation coursing through her veins, as if his touch were branding her skin.

"Adi, what are you doing? I already mailed you the divorce papers. We're done! Don't touch me!" Nadi snapped, her voice laced with fury.

"Done? You wish. Once this marriage began, it doesn't end unless I say so," Adi shot back, his tone dripping with disdain.

Nadi froze, stunned. "I told you two years ago, I'm not playing games! You changed the name of this place, and you Photoshopped Aisha's face onto mine in our wedding photo. Why won't you grant me a divorce?"

Adi said nothing.

The sound of rushing water filled the room as Adi turned on the shower with one hand while still gripping Nadi's wrist with the other. In seconds, icy droplets cascaded down, drenching her completely. Her soaked clothes clung tightly to her body, leaving little to the imagination, every curve, every inch of fabric, exposed. Even the delicate lace of her undergarments became painfully visible. Her cheeks flared crimson as she instinctively tried to cover herself with trembling hands and arms, but there was no hiding from the torrent.

"Hmph," Adi sneered, watching her futile attempts to shield herself. "Still putting on this act? After all the times I've laid my hands on you, and here you are, playing the victim again. Is this your latest ploy?"

"And tell me," he added, his voice low and cutting like a blade slicing through ice, "did anyone else get their hands on you in that prison?"

At his words, Nadi's face drained of color. Memories of those grotesque faces, the women who had crept close to her in the shadows of the prison nights, flashed before her eyes, sending a shiver down her spine.

"Enough!" She trembled, her voice shaking. "Adi, shut up!"

With a dismissive flick of his wrist, Adi released her. "Pathetic," he spat, disgust etched across his features.

"Wash yourself off and come out when you're done. I'll be waiting." With that, he slammed the door behind him.

Nadi's legs buckled beneath her, and she stumbled backward until her back hit the wall. Sliding down to the floor, she curled into a tight ball, clutching her knees to her chest. Biting down hard on her lip, she welcomed the sharp sting of pain, it was the only thing grounding her, distracting her from the suffocating ache in her heart.

Her heart… she couldn't control it. But her body? That, she could command.

Never again would she allow Adi to lay a finger on her. She wasn't desperate enough to let him take what he wanted, not anymore. If sacrificing her dignity was the price for her mother's medical care, she'd find another way. Selling herself, to anyone else but him.

This was the second floor. Rising unsteadily to her feet, Nadi wiped the remaining water from her face with a towel, then dried her hair and body as best she could. Crossing to the window, she pushed it open without hesitation. Without a second thought, she leapt, landing awkwardly in the grass below.

Meanwhile, outside the bathroom…

Adi stood by the window, engrossed in a call with one of the company executives. His gaze shifted idly, and then snapped back in shock as he caught sight of Nadi plummeting from the window, landing clumsily in the bushes below.

His brow furrowed, and for a moment, he stood frozen, staring at the scene unfolding before him. When realization finally sunk in, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

So, she had jumped out of a window just to escape him?

Perfect.

Absolutely perfect.

Ending the call abruptly, Adi descended the stairs, his expression unreadable.

Though the fall wasn't fatal, the impact left Nadi nursing a sore ankle and bruised elbow. Ignoring the throbbing pain, she forced herself to scramble to her feet and sprint away.

"Bark bark bark!"

"Bark bark bark bark!"

The piercing barks grew louder, closer, accompanied by the rapid thuds of approaching paws. Nadi's breath hitched as panic surged through her. Glancing over her shoulder, her blood ran cold. Two massive hunting dogs barreled toward her, their teeth bared and eyes gleaming with predatory intent. Behind them loomed Adi, his face an unreadable mask of arrogance and calculation. It was clear what he intended: run again, and he'd unleash the beasts upon her.