Chapter 3
796 Words
“You can hate me, fight me, scream at me, Kiara… but you can never escape me.” — Rivan Shah
Kiara sat on the edge of her bed, the city lights flickering outside her window while the weight of betrayal crushed her chest. The marriage clause and Rivan’s threats echoed in her head like a curse.
Her fingers clutched the edge of her blanket as her breath came uneven. She felt trapped.
Kiara’s thoughts:
“If I stay… he’ll ruin me.
If I fight… he’ll destroy me.
If I run… maybe I still have a chance.”
Tears threatened to fall, but she forced them back. She wasn’t weak. Not now.
Kiara stood, walking to her wardrobe. Her reflection stared back at her from the mirror messy hair, swollen eyes, trembling lips. But beneath it, there was defiance.
Kiara (whispers to herself): “No, Kiara. You’re not giving him the satisfaction.”
She started packing her bags clothes, documents, jewelry. Every zip of the suitcase sounded like a promise of freedom.
But deep down, she knew one thing: Rivan wouldn’t let her go easily.
Midnight draped the city in shadows as Kiara quietly rolled her suitcase down the driveway. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears when she slipped into the waiting cab.
Driver: “Airport, ma’am?”
Kiara: (low voice) “Yes… and please, take the longer route.”
As the car glided through the dark streets, Kiara finally breathed. For the first time in days, she felt a sliver of control returning.
She whispered to herself:
Kiara: “I’m leaving it all behind. I’ll start over… far away from him.”
But fate wasn’t going to let her go so easily.
The cab suddenly slowed down. The driver’s hands trembled on the wheel.
Kiara (frowning): “Why are you stopping?”
Driver (hesitant, voice shaky): “Ma’am… I’m sorry.”
Before Kiara could react, a sleek black SUV blocked the road ahead.
And then… he appeared.
Rivan Shah.
Tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in a dark suit that blended with the night his presence alone made the air heavier.
He walked toward her car slowly, deliberately, like a predator cornering prey.
Kiara’s chest tightened. No. She wasn’t going to let him win.
As Rivan opened the car door, Kiara shoved it back with force, hitting his arm and startling him. She grabbed her suitcase and bolted out of the car into the empty street.
Kiara (shouting): “Stay away from me, Rivan! You can’t control me!”
Her heels clicked against the wet pavement as she ran, breath ragged, heart hammering. But before she could cross the street, a strong hand grabbed her wrist and yanked her back.
Kiara (struggling): “Let me GO!”
Rivan (gritting his teeth): “You really thought you could run from me?”
Kiara (screaming): “YES! Because I am NOT your property!”
She kicked his shin and tried pulling free, but Rivan caught her again, pulling her flush against him.
Kiara (furious, yelling): “I hate you! Do you hear me?! I HATE YOU!”
Rivan (low, dark): “Hate me all you want… it’ll make no difference.”
His grip tightened, but his voice dropped to a deadly whisper:
Rivan: “You belong to me, Kiara. You just don’t realize it yet.
Rivan dragged her back to his SUV, ignoring her punches and screams.
Kiara (thrashing): “You’re a monster!”
Rivan (coldly): “And yet, you keep tempting the devil.”
He shoved her suitcase into the trunk and motioned for his men to handle the cab driver. Within seconds, she was back inside the luxurious SUV its leather seats and tinted windows suffocating her.
She sat with her arms crossed, breathing heavily, refusing to look at him.
Kiara (hissing): “I’ll never forgive you for this.”
Rivan (leaning close): “I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m asking for submission.”
Her glare met his, fiery and unbroken.
Kiara: “Then you’ll die waiting.”
For the first time, something flickered in Rivan’s eyes anger, yes… but also an almost painful longing.
Back at his penthouse, Rivan locked the door and leaned against it, watching her like a storm trapped in glass.
Rivan (low, dark): “Do you want to know why I’m doing this, Kiara? Why I need this marriage?”
She folded her arms, refusing to answer.
Rivan: “Your father destroyed my family. I’m returning the favor. You’re my revenge.”
Kiara froze, her breath catching in her throat. But before she could react, her phone buzzed.
Blocked Number:
“Don’t trust him. He isn’t your enemy. The real killer… is closer than you think.”
Kiara’s blood ran cold.
She looked up slowly… only to find Rivan already watching her reaction.
- Writer
