Chapter 12

Summer had fully arrived in Westbridge, the city sweltering under the relentless heat.

Lucas Gray had been so busy lately that I hadn't seen him for days.

The last time we spoke was on the phone two nights ago, and even his assistant, Mr. Carter, had been conspicuously absent.

Of course, I had plenty to keep me occupied.

Between preparing school applications, studying for entrance exams, and finally escaping the endless parade of parties and social obligations, my life had started to feel surprisingly full.

That evening, as I went downstairs to take out the trash, I noticed a familiar car parked by the curb.

All my exhaustion evaporated in an instant.

I jogged over and tapped on the window.

When it rolled down, I smiled brightly.

"You didn't tell me you were coming—"

Before I could finish, the man inside interrupted me.

"Ayla, it's hot out here. Get in the car; I'll explain everything," he said coolly, his tone somehow… off.

Confused, I climbed into the passenger seat. As I buckled my seatbelt, I couldn't help but mumble, "Why didn't you send me a message?"

"Because I wanted to surprise you," he replied.

I froze mid-motion, my eyes locking onto his hands as a chill crept down my spine.

The doors locked with a soft click as the car pulled out of the lot.

"Ayla, seatbelt," he reminded me gently.

Snapping back to reality, I slowly clicked the seatbelt into place.

Beneath the seat, my trembling fingers quickly typed out a text to the police, sharing my location before hitting send.

Lucas would never say something as contrived as "I wanted to surprise you."

The man next to me could only be Kevin.

As the car sped down the highway, the city lights grew sparse, replaced by the desolate emptiness of the outskirts.

My heart sank deeper with every mile.

"I'm feeling a little tired…" I said softly, leaning my head against the window.

Kevin glanced at me, startled.

"Tired? We just left. Hang in there a little longer, okay?"

"I can't," I murmured weakly. "You have a house in the countryside, don't you? Can we go there instead?"

Lucas did have a house in the countryside—an empty property he rarely used. It was the one address I knew that could buy me some time.

Kevin's expression darkened, suspicion flickering in his eyes.

"Why there?" he asked coldly.

I bit my lip, forcing myself to smile as I reached for his hand.

"You tell me," I said lightly. "Last time, didn't you say you wanted me to dance for you?"

Kevin stilled, his grip on the wheel tightening.

I knew him too well. He was vindictive to the core. Whatever he planned to do to me tonight, the thought of using Lucas's property to exact his revenge was something he couldn't resist.

As expected, he smirked and shifted lanes.

"Not a bad idea, Ayla," he said, his tone laced with mockery. "Making you happy is more important than any surprise."

He turned on the indicator and took the exit off the highway.

Meanwhile, I used the last bit of battery on my phone to send the villa's location to the police.

The screen flickered and went dark.

As the final rays of sunlight dipped below the horizon, the reflection of my pale face stared back at me from the car window.

The moment we stepped into the villa, Kevin grabbed me from behind, pressing his lips to the back of my neck.

"Ayla," he murmured, his breath hot against my skin. "What dance are you going to perform for me?"

His hands roamed, his movements impatient and possessive.

Ignoring my weak protests, he grabbed my shoulders and pushed me against the table.

The mix of cologne and alcohol clinging to him made my stomach churn.

For the first time, I felt an overwhelming sense of disgust at his touch.

"Wait…" I gasped. "I can't dance like this…"

Kevin let out a low laugh.

"Doesn't matter," he said, his voice tinged with madness. "Let's get straight to the main event."

He seemed unhinged, his paranoia and obsession driving him to the brink.

I stiffened, then sank my teeth into his forearm as hard as I could.

The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

Kevin froze.

From behind me, his cold, mocking voice whispered in my ear.

"So, you do know it's me."

I spun around, trying to escape, but he caught my arm and slammed me back down onto the table.

His face, identical to Lucas's, twisted into something grotesque and monstrous.

"If you know," he sneered, "that makes this even more exciting."

"Isn't this what you like? Getting stolen away? Screwing you in my brother's house… I bet you're into that too, aren't you?"

His words sent a chill down my spine, and I suddenly recalled what Luna Yates had told me:

"Kevin is nothing but trouble. If he escapes my family's grasp, it won't hurt me, but I can't guarantee your safety."

"And, Ayla, his mental state isn't the most stable."

I had no idea how long it would take for the police to arrive.

All I could do was stall for time.

"Where were you planning to take me?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"Back to my place," he replied, his lips grazing my cheek. "Where I can keep you locked up."

His words sent a shiver through me.

"Idiot," he muttered, grabbing my chin and forcing me to face him. "You really think Lucas cares about you? He doesn't love you—it's all about winning. You're just part of his game."

I was too weak to fight back, pinned against the table and gasping for air.

Kevin leaned closer, his voice dripping with malice.

"Why aren't you crying, Ayla? Your precious Lucas doesn't want you anymore!"

I took a shaky breath, my voice hoarse and strained.

"Kevin," I rasped, "I'm not waiting for Lucas to save me."

"What?"

The faint sound of sirens echoed from outside.

Gripping his wrist tightly, I twisted just enough to free myself slightly.

"I've spent so long in a cage that I forgot how to fight back."

"But I'm done being helpless."

Summoning the last of my strength, I dug my nails into his arm, hard enough to draw blood.

The sound of the police breaking down the door filled the air.

Kevin's eyes widened in fury.

"You called the cops?!" he roared.

I smiled faintly.

"Kevin, you shouldn't have come alone."

"Did you underestimate me? Or overestimate yourself?"

The door burst open.

Grabbing the blade I had hidden earlier, I slashed it across Kevin's face.

At the same time, I tore at my collar and clutched his hand, holding it against me.

With tears streaming down my face, I screamed, "Help! He's trying to assault me!"

That night, the last thing I said to Luna Yates was:

"Miss Yates, do me a favor, and I'll return it by making sure Kevin ends up behind bars."