Maya's attempts to escape became a recurring cycle, each time met with Alex's anger and frustration. He never physically harmed her, but his shouts and reprimands echoed through the halls each time she tried to run. Maya's determination only grew stronger with each failed attempt, fueled by her desire for freedom and the need to understand why Alex was keeping her captive.
One such night, Maya made another daring escape attempt. She managed to evade the guards for a brief moment, but Alex's keen instincts led him straight to her. In her haste, Maya stumbled and injured herself, a wound on her leg slowing her down.
Alex found her, his expression a mix of concern and exasperation. Without a word, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her back to the mansion. Maya struggled feebly, demanding to be let go, but Alex remained silent, his grip firm yet gentle.
Once inside, Alex tended to Maya's wound, cleaning and dressing it with practiced efficiency. Maya winced as he worked, her mind racing with conflicting emotions. When he finished, she looked up at him, her voice filled with desperation.
"Let me go, Alex. Please. I can't stay here anymore," she pleaded, her eyes pleading for understanding.
Alex's response was cold and calculated. "Not yet,. When the time is right, I'll let you go. But not before."
Maya's frustration boiled over. "When will that be? How long do I have to wait?"
Alex's voice turned dangerous. "You'll wait as long as I say you will. Don't push me, Maya."
In a moment of tense silence, Maya's anger flared. "When I die, then? Will that be the right time for you?"
Alex's expression darkened, his grip tightening on her arm. "Don't you ever say those words again," he warned in a low, dangerous voice. "Death is not an option here."
Maya pulled away, her eyes flashing with defiance. "Then give me another option. Let me go, Alex. I can't live like this."
Alex's jaw clenched, his eyes betraying a hint of turmoil. Without another word, he turned and left the room, leaving Maya alone with her thoughts and her wounds.
The tension between them only grew stronger, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air. Maya knew she had touched a nerve, but she also knew she couldn't give up. She was determined to find a way out, no matter the cost. And Alex, despite his cold exterior, knew that their confrontation had brought them to a pivotal moment—one that would shape their future in ways they couldn't yet foresee.