As the cab sped down the winding roads, raindrops lashed against the windows, mirroring the chaos inside me. I stared out, watching the dark clouds roll over the sky like heavy bruises, swallowing any hint of daylight. The rain hammered down harder, as if the heavens themselves wanted to drown out my escape.My fingers trembled against the thin fabric of my dress, white and soaked through from the few moments I'd been outside. I could feel the cold seep into my skin, a sharp contrast to the warmth of his arms that lingered, haunting me even now. Every mile that stretched between us felt both like a relief and a burden, a painful twist I couldn't unravel.I couldn't shake the weight in my chest, a gnawing doubt clawing at me. Was leaving really the right thing? The memories of his touch, his voice, his cruel eyes softening just for a second—all of it whirled in my mind, confusing, intoxicating, and terrifying. I pressed my hand to my heart, willing it to calm down, trying to convince myself that I'd done the right thing.The rain only grew heavier, blurring the view, and my heart raced in tandem with the rolling thunder. I felt strangely exposed, as if he could sense me even now, watching, waiting. The clouds were thick, ominous, like a warning. But I couldn't go back. I wouldn't. Whatever we had, whatever I felt—I needed to find myself again, away from him."Just a little further," I whispered, barely convincing myself. The cab driver glanced at me, offering an awkward, sympathetic smile as if he could sense my turmoil. The airport was close now, yet I couldn't shake the feeling that this was far from over—that his presence lingered, lurking somewhere in the shadows.I sighed, glancing up at the darkened sky. Of course, the universe had to throw this at me now. Just my luck. The cab driver looked apologetically helpless, explaining that the rain had done a number on the engine. Three hours of waiting? Not a chance. I had to keep moving."Thank you, uncle," I murmured, grabbing my bag and stepping out. The moment I did, the rain immediately assaulted me, cold and unrelenting. My thin dress clung to my skin, the chill slicing through me like icy needles. But I pushed forward, determined to find another way out of here.The road was empty, deserted except for the dim headlights of a few cars in the distance. I squinted through the rain, hoping for a sign, any hint of a passing cab, but there was nothing. Each step felt heavier, as if the storm itself wanted to drag me back. The cold seeped deeper, numbing my fingers and making my teeth chatter.My heart pounded with a mix of dread and resolve. I had no idea if this was the right path, if leaving was the answer—but staying, being swallowed up in his darkness, felt even more terrifying.I let out a small breath of relief as the cab finally stopped beside me, though the driver wasn't exactly the comforting type. Rough, blunt, with a hardened gaze—it didn't inspire a ton of confidence. But options were few, and I was beyond exhausted. Brushing off my hesitation, I climbed in and told him my destination: the airport.The driver glanced back at me, "Ma'am, with the roads flooded, it'll be faster to take a shortcut. If you're in a hurry, that's the way to go."Maybe it was my sleep-deprived brain, or just the need to escape as fast as possible, but I agreed, barely thinking it through. The road grew quieter, winding away from the city lights, into a stretch that felt isolated and dark. The rain was pounding, relentless, but I reassured myself. Not everything that looks ominous turns out that way. Self-comfort was a skill I had perfected over the years.Still, as the trees crowded in closer and the silence grew heavier, I couldn't help but feel the first twinges of unease.An hour slipped by, and the surroundings only grew darker, more desolate. The winding road twisted into an even more isolated stretch—no streetlights, no signs of life, and my phone's signal flickered to nothing. My chest tightened with panic as I started to piece together the foolishness of my choice.I cleared my throat, forcing myself to sound calm. "Actually, you know what? I changed my mind. I don't need to go to the airport anymore. Just let me out here."He kept driving, his eyes fixed on the road ahead as if he hadn't heard a word. I repeated myself, louder this time, almost begging. Still no response. My heart pounded, fear rising as I realized how trapped I felt. Regret gnawed at me; why hadn't I trusted my instincts? Why was I out here alone, in the dead of night, at the mercy of a stranger who might be anything but safe?I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stay calm while my mind raced, searching for a way out of this unsettling situation.Before I could fully process my options or decide whether to make a run for it, the car came to a halt in front of what looked like a farmhouse. But not just any farmhouse—it radiated an eerie elegance, a kind of wealth that was both cozy in appearance yet daunting in aura. The rain hammered against the window, making everything outside look smudged and surreal.Through the blurred glass, I could make out a sleek black car parked nearby and a few men standing under umbrellas, their figures ominously still, watching in silence. My heartbeat thudded in my chest, and I couldn't tell if it was from fear or anticipation, but one thing was clear: I was way out of my depth."What's going on?" I asked, barely able to keep the tremor from my voice. No response from the driver. Instead, he merely gestured toward the door, his gaze forward, stone-cold, as though he had delivered countless people to this exact spot.My mind raced—who were these men, and what was this place? Yet, deep down, I felt an inkling of recognition, a suspicion of exactly whose territory I might have stumbled into.I stepped out of the car, shivering as the cold rain soaked through my clothes, turning the thin white fabric nearly transparent. The icy drops slid down my skin, but I barely noticed—my attention was locked on the man in front of me, the one I had been running from. My heart slammed painfully in my chest, my breath catching as I met his eyes.Kannan.The storm mirrored the storm on his face, his dark eyes holding a fury and iciness that felt even sharper than before. His jaw was clenched, and his gaze was unwavering, piercing through me as if he could read every thought I'd had, every step I'd taken to escape. He looked...dangerous. That cold arrogance I'd once thought intriguing now felt utterly terrifying, and I felt my legs weaken, my instinct to flee completely at odds with the helpless numbness that had seized me.As he stepped forward, the men with umbrellas behind him parted, creating a path that led straight to him. And though I was rooted to the spot, shivering and soaked, I knew that in the depths of my soul, there was nowhere left to run.Kannan stepped toward me with deliberate, measured steps, his dark coat swinging slightly in the storm's furious wind. The sound of raindrops crashing all around us was deafening, yet everything seemed muted when he stood before me. My breathing was erratic, and I couldn't look away, even though every instinct screamed for me to.Without a word, he draped his black coat over my shoulders, its warmth starkly contrasting with the chill that had gripped my body. I flinched slightly as his fingers brushed my arm, but he didn't seem to notice—or maybe he did and just didn't care. His towering figure loomed above me as he held an umbrella over us, shielding me from the rain. The sharp angles of his face were cast in harsh shadows, illuminated briefly by a flash of lightning.Those eyes.They had always been intense, but now, they were utterly devoid of warmth. The softness I'd once caught glimpses of was gone, replaced by a cold, calculating stare that pinned me in place like a predator to its prey. He didn't speak, yet his presence screamed volumes. This wasn't the man who whispered in my ear and held me like I was his world—this was someone else entirely, someone who radiated power and danger in equal measure.It felt like time had stopped. The men who had stood with him melted away into their cars, their absence only amplifying the tension between us. It was just him and me now, the storm raging around us as if it too understood the tempest brewing between us.I opened my mouth to say something—anything—but no words came out. My throat felt dry despite the rain soaking me seconds earlier, and my heart pounded so loudly I was sure he could hear it.The coat fell to the muddy ground with a heavy thud, quickly drenched by the relentless rain. The umbrella tumbled away, forgotten, as the storm poured over us like a reckoning. I didn't care. Let the world see this raw moment—let it witness everything I was about to unleash.Adrenaline coursed through me, overriding the trembling in my legs as I gripped Kannan's collar with both hands, yanking him closer. His chest was firm, unyielding against my fists, and I could feel the heat radiating off him despite the rain's icy sting."How could you do this, Kannan?" I spat, my voice trembling with a mixture of rage and fear. My heart was beating so fast it felt like it might burst out of my chest, but I didn't care. I needed answers. "How could you lie to me, manipulate me... kill in cold blood? Who are you?!"His dark eyes locked onto mine, colder than the storm enveloping us, and I instantly regretted my outburst. They weren't just dark—they were infinite, like staring into an abyss that threatened to swallow me whole. His jaw clenched, his lips curled into the faintest ghost of a smirk, but it wasn't the playful one I'd seen before. This one was dangerous, a warning."You think you know me, princess?" he murmured, his voice low, cutting through the rain like a blade. His words dripped with venom, each syllable laced with unshakable authority. "You've only seen what I wanted you to see."The grip on his collar faltered as his words sank in, their weight making my hands tremble. He stepped closer, forcing me to backpedal slightly. My feet slipped on the wet ground, and I stumbled, but his hand darted out to steady me—not out of concern, but to make sure I couldn't run. His fingers pressed into my arm just enough to remind me of the power he held over me."You think you can judge me for what I've done? For what I am?" he continued, his tone calm, almost conversational, but his eyes betrayed the storm raging inside him. "Don't delude yourself, sweetheart. This isn't a fairytale, and I'm not the prince you dreamed of."I felt my knees weaken, but I refused to crumble. "You lied to me," I whispered, my voice breaking. "You made me trust you, made me feel—" My voice caught in my throat as tears mixed with rain, streaming down my face. "Was any of it real?"He tilted his head slightly, his gaze unyielding. "You want the truth, princess?" he said, his voice dropping an octave, sending a shiver down my spine. "You walked into my world. And now, you think you can just walk out?"My heart sank as his smirk widened ever so slightly. "That's not how this works.""I have someone in my heart," I managed to stammer, summoning every ounce of courage left in me. My voice trembled, but I pressed on, desperate to finish. "I came to break our engagement. I l—"Before the words could escape, his hand shot forward and gripped my neck, his fingers cold and unyielding against my skin. My breath hitched as he tightened his hold—not enough to cut off air completely, but enough to send my heart racing in panic. His face was inches from mine, his dark eyes blazing with fury that seemed to devour every trace of light in the room."Say that again," he growled, his voice low and dangerous, like a predator toying with its prey.My mind screamed at me to look away, but his piercing gaze held me captive. I could feel the heat of his breath on my skin, mingling with the icy chill of his anger. My hands instinctively gripped his wrist, trying to pull him away, but he didn't budge, his strength overwhelming."K-Kannan," I choked out, tears pricking the corners of my eyes. "Please...""You dare," he spat, his voice dripping with venom, "to stand before me and say those words? After everything?"I shook my head frantically, unable to form coherent words under his suffocating presence. His grip loosened just slightly, but it wasn't mercy—it was control. He wanted me to speak, to plead, to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break."You don't have someone else, Hari," he continued, his tone eerily calm now, though his eyes burned hotter than ever. "You think you can replace me? That's cute." His lips curled into a cruel smirk, but the menace in his expression froze me in place. "You can lie to yourself all you want, but you're mine. You've always been mine."I gasped as he finally released my neck, but before I could step back, he grabbed my wrist and yanked me closer. The force of his pull sent me stumbling against his chest, his arms encircling me like a steel cage."You don't get to leave me, princess," he whispered against my ear, his voice sending shivers down my spine. "You don't get to choose. This engagement isn't something you can break."I opened my mouth to protest, but his hand moved to my jaw, tilting my face upward. His gaze was unrelenting, filled with a terrifying blend of possession and rage."And if you ever try to run again," he murmured, his lips brushing against my cheek in a mockery of tenderness, "I'll make sure there's nowhere on this earth you can hide from me."Rain dripped from my hair and soaked clothes as Kannan carried me effortlessly, his grip firm and unyielding. His hand pressed against the back of my thighs, his fingers digging into my skin just enough to remind me that resistance was futile."Put me down, Kannan!" I yelled, my fists pounding against his back, though each hit felt weak compared to his overwhelming strength. My voice cracked under the weight of fear and anger, but it seemed like he didn't even hear me—or worse, he didn't care. The sound of his heavy footsteps against the creaking wooden stairs echoed through the house, a drumbeat of impending doom.His silence was suffocating, more terrifying than any rage he could have shown. I could hear the storm raging outside, but inside, the only sound was the rapid pounding of my heart and the shallow gasps of my breath."What are you doing?" I demanded, desperation creeping into my voice. "You're insane! Let me go!"He didn't respond, didn't even flinch. Instead, he adjusted his hold on me like I was nothing more than an object, a piece of property he refused to relinquish. His wet shirt clung to his back, and I could feel his muscles tensing with each deliberate step. My panic grew with every second, my mind racing with questions and dread.As we reached the top of the stairs, he turned down a dimly lit hallway. The shadows cast by the storm outside danced ominously along the walls, making the space feel even more sinister. Finally, he stopped in front of a door and kicked it open with an ease that made me realize just how dangerous he truly was.The room was large, the faint glow of a single lamp illuminating its lavish yet eerily cold decor. He stepped inside and slammed the door shut behind him with his foot. The sound made me flinch, my body trembling with fear.Without warning, he tossed me onto the bed. I bounced slightly against the plush mattress, my hair falling messily over my face as I struggled to sit up. Before I could say anything, he leaned down, one hand gripping the headboard behind me and the other bracing the bed near my hip, trapping me beneath his imposing frame."You really thought you could walk away from me?" His voice was low, a dangerous growl that sent a shiver down my spine. His wet hair fell over his forehead, framing his face, but it was his eyes that held me captive—dark, furious, and unrelenting."I told you before," he hissed, his breath brushing against my skin, "you don't get to decide how this ends." His hand moved to my chin, tilting my face up to meet his gaze. "You belong to me, Hari. Always have, always will. And if I have to remind you of that..." His smirk was cruel, his grip tightening ever so slightly. "...then so be it."Tears threatened to spill from my eyes, but I blinked them away, refusing to let him see my weakness. "You're a monster," I whispered, my voice shaking.His smirk widened as he leaned in even closer, his lips brushing against my ear. "Then it's time you learned what it means to love a monster."