Chapter 10: The Morning After the Storm
He could force her body. He could chain her life. But her hatred? That, she would never give him.
Sophia woke with a sharp breath, her body recoiling before her mind caught up.
Then it hit her.
Last night.
Her wedding.
Her prison.
Her eyes snapped open.
She wasn't alone.
Adrian sat in the chair near the bed, his dark eyes already on her, his fingers idly tapping against the glass in his hand.
Watching.
Waiting.
Sophia felt a wave of fury so violent it almost drowned her.
She threw the covers off, standing so fast the world tilted.
"You," her voice shook with rage. "You disgusting, soulless—"
Adrian exhaled, slow and deep, setting his drink down. "Tread carefully, Sophia."
But she was past caring.
"You ruined me!" she spat, shaking. "You stole my life my future! You forced me into this! And you expect me to just what? Smile? Obey you like some trained dog?"
Adrian's grip tightened on the chair, the muscles in his forearms flexing.
His patience was slipping.
"You will lower your voice."
"Or what?" She laughed bitterly. "You'll hurt me? Again? Is that what makes you feel like a man?"
Something dark flickered in his gaze.
Then, he moved.
Fast.
Too fast.
Before she could take a step back, he was on her.
His hand shot out, grabbing her by the throat. Not enough to choke, but enough to remind her who had the power.
Sophia refused to cower.
She glared up at him, her fury a wildfire burning through her veins.
"I will never love you," she hissed.
Adrian's jaw ticked. "Love?" His voice was a razor's edge. "You think I want your love?"
His fingers tightened slightly, making her heart stutter.
"Love is weak," he continued, his voice lowering, turning dangerous. "Love makes men soft. And I am not a man who can afford to be soft."
Sophia's hands curled into fists.
"You're a monster," she whispered.
Adrian tilted his head, studying her with a chilling amusement.
"Maybe," he murmured. "But you're mine."
She shoved at his chest. Hard.
"Go to hell."
Adrian laughed.
A dark, humorless sound.
"Sophie, my sweet," he murmured, leaning in, his breath hot against her ear. "You're already there."
A violent shudder tore through her, but she didn't look away.
Adrian's smirk faded.
She wasn't breaking.
Not yet.
And that? That infuriated him.
His grip fell away, his presence still suffocating as he stepped back.
"You want to hate me?" His voice was low, taunting. "Fine. Hate me all you want. Scream. Cry. Fight."
A chilling smirk tugged at his lips.
"It won't change a thing."
And then—
"You were always mine, Sophia."
Her stomach dropped.
Adrian's eyes gleamed with something dark. Possessive.
And he told her.
---
Years Ago.
Adrian had never believed in fate.
Fate was for the weak.
But then, he saw her.
A shivering girl in the rain, clutching a child to her chest.
He had been standing outside a run-down café, handling business, when she caught his eye.
She was young. Too young. But the fire in her eyes,the defiance, the quiet, desperate strength,it was unlike anything he'd ever seen.
And something in him snapped.
She was his.
From that moment on, he watched her.
For years.
Until he claimed her.
---
The Present.
Sophia stared at him, horrified.
"You knew me?" Her voice was barely above a whisper. "Back then?"
Adrian met her gaze, unwavering.
"I knew you before you even knew yourself."
Her blood ran cold.
Every struggle. Every fight for survival. He had been there. Watching. Waiting.
"You're insane," she breathed.
A slow smirk curled his lips.
"Maybe."
Sophia trembled with rage.
Adrian sighed.
"Be angry, Sophia." His voice was mockingly soft. "Hate me all you want. But at the end of the day, you're still here."
Her stomach twisted.
Because he was right.
She was trapped.
And Adrian was never letting her go.