Content Warning:
This story contains graphic depictions of violence, physical and emotional abuse, non-consensual sexual content, and coercion. These themes may be distressing or triggering to some readers. Please proceed with caution and prioritize your well-being.
Adele stirred slightly under the covers, her body betraying the stillness she was trying to maintain. Her heart pounded as the baritone of a man's voice carried across the room.
"She's still asleep sir." A deep male voice said, respectul and formal as Adele remained on the bed, her eyes tightly shut.
"Alright go and inform my father about it. Tell him I'd inform Tris." A milder voice said, one that sent a chill down Adele's spine, a voice Adele could recognize anywhere. She knew it far too well
"Yes sir."
Adele heard footsteps leave the room. She listened intently as the heavy footsteps retreated, fading off completely into the distance. Her breath hitched but she did not move till she was certain the room was empty.
Immediately she was sure she was alone, she slowly opened her eyes, the dim light of the room making her eyes easy to adjust.
She froze when she was him, Dothan in the room. He stood tall and menacing at the foot of the bed. Adele's breath caught as her eyes widen and a wide grin appeared on Dothan's face.
He's presence was suffocating, like the darkness that seemed to follow him everywhere. His sharp features where illuminated by the faint light streaming in through the window and that twisted grin that slowly spread across his face as soon as their eyes met.
"You're awake I see." Dothan said, his voice low and mocking. He tilted his head watching her closely. "Were you pretending to be asleep? How quaint." He said.
"Dothan." Adele muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. Her head dropped instinctively, her hands clenching the fabric of the blanket as she sat up.
Dothan grin widen as he walked closer towards Adele. He moved with the predatory grace of a panther stalking it prey. When he reached her, he crouched down, his face level with hers. He's fingers brushed her chin, forcing her to lift her head and meet his eyes. The touch was deceptively gentle but it sent a shiver down her spine. His fingers traced the curve of her cheeks, the touch cold and invasive.
"Such a brave little thing you are," He muttered , his voice dripping with mockery. "To think you can escape just like that."
Adele swallowed hard, willing her fear to stay hidden beneath the surface. Her gaze hardened as she lifted her chin defiantly.
"A little thing that told you days to find even for someone from a family as influential as yours." Adele taunted, her eyes meeting his gaze. She smirked. "You even resorted to using the media, how low. How more low are you willing to sink?"
Dothan's face darken immediately. The grin on his face vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. His expression twisted into something more menacing. "What did you just say?" He demanded, his tone sharp and dangerous.
"I'm pretty sure you heard me clearly." Adele said, her smirk widening. "I did not stutter."
Dothan's fury was palpable, the tension in the air enough to choke on. His lips curled into a sneer, and his voice was ice cold when he spoke again. "I see that little escape of yours has made you grow wings but you forget that you're just a butterfly Adele. I can easily rip off those wings and set them ablaze. Watch them burn till there's nothing but ash to testify." Adele could hear the malice in his voice.
Adele chuckled, the sound low, mocking and taunting. It felt foreign in her throat but it fueled her resolve. The malice in his voice, the darkness in his eyes did not make her cower in fear like it always did. She did not feel scared, instead she felt ecstatic. She wanted to see him burn in rage. Something in her wanted see just how far she could push him, how much rage she could ignite in him.
"Did you just laugh?" Dothan asked his gaze dark. His voice dropped even lower, his eyes narrowing into a piercing stare.
Adele's lips curled into another smirk. "You can't, you can't touch me coward." She said.
"What did you call me?" Dothan asked, his voice was deceptively calm but the storm brewing in his eyes betrayed his composure.
"One might think you're deaf now." She said, slightly leaning forward. "Coward. You can't touch me you drenched chicken. Scared bastard hiding behind his father's influence. Touch me, Tris would have your head on a chopping block if you dare hit me."
The mention of Tris seemed to push Dothan to the edge. He laughed, that hollow, bitter sound that always sent chills running down her spine. The sound of it was dripping with vileness.
"That bastard does want to do all the hitting but he wouldn't know now would he?"
"You wouldn't dare." Adele said, though her bravado wavered slightly.
"Watch me."
Before she could react, Dothan grabbed her hair and pulled it with a brutal force, dragging her outside of bed. Adele gasped, struggling off his grip but he was far stronger.
"Let me go you asshole."
"I'm going to enjoy this."
His hands tangled in her hair dragging her by the hair into the bathroom that was an adjoining room.
"Let go of me." Adele shouted, her voice filled with a mixture of anger and fear.
He ignored her protests, his grip tightening around her hair as he pushed her into the bathroom. Adele fell on the floor, her knees hitting the cold tiles with a heavy thud. He reached for the faucet, turning it on and letting the water rush into the bathtub. The sound of the water filling the tub was deafening in the small space and dread pooled in Adele's stomach.
"Let's see how brave you really are." Dothan sneered.
He yanked her off the ground again by her hair and pulled her to the bathtub. Adele thrashed, kicked and clawed at his arms but to no avail. Dothan was far bigger and stronger than her and her blows did nothing to deter him.
"Stop it." Adele screamed as panic began to set in.
Dothan didn't stop. He shoved her head into the cold water and held her down as she thrashed and kicked, the icy water filled her nose and mouth and she fought desperately to pull herself free. Her lungs burned as she tried to hold her breath but it was impossible.
Dothan pulled her out, his hands tightly around her jaw as she struggled to catch her breath. She gasped for air, coughing and sputtering violently.
"Say another word," Dothan growled. "And I will....."
"Ass licking son of a..."
"You slut." Dothan cussed before Adele could finish her words.
Dothan plunged Adele's head back under the water. The cycle repeated, her head forced under the water and pulled out just long enough for her to gasp for breath, shove her back under again. Adele felt her life starting to slip off her fingers.
Her struggles grew weaker each time, her strength fading as her body struggled to survive. Black spots danced in her vision and she felt her self slowly slipping away.
"You won't beg for your life huh?" Dothan hissed, his voice filled with frustration. He yanked her out of the water one last time, her chest heaving as she coughed up water.
A small, weak grin tugged on Adele's lips as her chest heaved, defiance still burning in her eyes. "Kill me," She rasped, her voice barely audible. "And you'll die too." she said weakly.
"F**king bitch." He cussed. His face twisted with rage as he forced her head under the water again, holding her down longer this time..
Adele struggles became feeble, her body on the verge of giving up.
The sound of the door opening cut through the chaos.
"Mr Reid?" A timid voice called. "Senior Mr Reid asked me to let you know that Mr Anders would be here in an hour."
Dothan froze, his grip on Adele loosening as he turned to face the maid who stood hesitatly by the door way. With a sneer, he let Adele go, making her dropped to the floor weakly, a soaked, trembling heap.
"Fine." He said coldly. He glanced down at Adele who was almost unconscious, his smirk returning. "Clean her up immediately before his arrival."
"Yes sir." The maid replied quickly, her voice shaking.
Dothan left the room without another word, his heavy footsteps fading down the hall. Adele laid motionless on the cold tiles, her chest heaving as she fought to recover her breath. Water dripped from her hair and her clothes pooling around her on the floor. The maid hurried to her side, her hands trembling as she helped Adele up.
"Miss Adele." She whispered, her voice laced with concern. "Are you alright."
Adele's lips parted but no word came out. Her body trembled violently and tears streamed down her face, though she refused to sob. She couldn't give Dothan the satisfaction of breaking her.
She won't let them win.