BILLIONAIRES VENDETTA

CHAPTER 5: THE CHAINS OF FATE

NATALIE'S POV

The cold night air cut through my skin as I sprinted down the alley, my chest heaving, each breath a ragged reminder of the fear coursing through me. It wasn’t just the cold or the night, it was the reality that was closing in on me—the weight of Luca’s power, his shadow hanging over every step I took. And yet, I couldn’t stop.

I shouldn’t have run. My logical mind knew that, but panic had overridden everything else. Run, my instinct screamed. Get away. But now, I was paying the price.

My legs burned, my lungs screamed for air, but I couldn’t stop. Not yet. If I could just make it far enough…

But the sounds of footsteps grew louder. Closer.

I ducked behind a corner, leaning against the brick wall, trying to steady my breath. I had seconds, maybe less, to think of my next move. I was alone. My phone had long since run out of battery, and I couldn’t trust anyone—not now, not with everything at stake.

The footsteps stopped.

And then, the unmistakable voice cut through the silence.

"Running away again, huh?"

I froze. Adriano.

His voice was calm, too calm. And before I could think of a response, his hand grabbed my arm, yanking me back into the street. His grip was firm, unyielding. I struggled against him, but it was no use. Adriano was always prepared for moments like this.

"Let me go!" I snapped, spinning to face him. "You don’t get to do this!"

Adriano’s eyes were unreadable as he looked down at me. "You think you can run forever? You’re already too deep in this mess, Natalie. You’ll never escape."

"You don’t know anything!" I shouted back, shoving at his chest in an attempt to break free. But the effort was futile. His hands held me in place like steel.

His gaze softened, almost reluctantly. "I’m not here to hurt you, but you need to stop fighting. You’re not going anywhere. Luca won’t let you."

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. Of course, Luca wouldn’t let me. I was just a pawn in his game—just like everyone else in his world. But I wasn’t ready to accept that. Not yet.

I yanked my arm away from him, my body still trembling from the adrenaline. "Take me back, then," I spat. "Let’s just get this over with."

Adriano gave a short nod and gestured for me to follow him. "You don’t have a choice, Natalie."

The ride back to the estate was suffocating. The car felt too small, too confining, and the silence between Adriano and me was thick, like something that couldn’t be cut through. I didn’t want to speak. What was there left to say?

The mansion loomed ahead, its grandeur more terrifying than awe-inspiring. The heavy gates opened as we pulled in, and I couldn’t help but feel a wave of dread. I’m not in control anymore.

I was led back to the same cold, opulent guest suite where I had spent the night before. Nothing about the room was welcoming. It was beautiful in a way that felt... wrong. Too much. Too perfect. Like everything in my life had been arranged by someone else.

Before I could even sit down, Adriano was gone, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I hated the way this felt. I hated that I was stuck. I hated that there was nothing I could do to change it.

The next morning, I was exhausted, emotionally drained from the events of the past 24 hours. But I had no time for rest. There was still work to be done, and I couldn’t avoid it forever.

Adriano was waiting for me in the hallway as soon as I stepped out of my room. His gaze was cold, unreadable, but I didn’t need to see his face to know he wasn’t here to offer comfort.

"You’re expected at work," he said flatly. "Get ready."

Work. The very thought of it made my stomach churn. After everything that had happened, I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to face the world. How could I pretend to be normal when everything in my life had been turned upside down? How could I walk into that office, see my colleagues, and pretend I wasn’t about to be forced into a marriage with the head of the Italian mafia?

I grabbed my bag and followed him out, the weight of the situation pressing down on me with each step.

When we arrived at the hospital, the sight of my best friend, Olga, waiting at the door felt like a lifeline. Her blonde hair was perfectly styled, her makeup flawless as always. But it was the look in her eyes—the hesitation, the suspicion—that made my stomach twist.

"Natalie!" she exclaimed, walking toward me with a forced smile, her eyes flicking to Adriano behind me. "What’s going on? Why is he here?"

I tried to give her a smile, but it came out stiff and strained. "It’s... complicated," I muttered. How could I explain to her that everything had spiraled out of my control? How could I tell her that my life was no longer mine to live?

Her gaze narrowed. "Complicated? That’s all you’re going to say? He’s—"

"Olga," I interrupted, my voice quieter now. "Please. I’ll explain later, okay?"

Olga didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t press me further. Instead, she turned to Adriano, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Fine. But I want to know what’s going on, Natalie. I won’t let you push me away."

Adriano looked down at her with barely concealed amusement. "You don’t need to worry about her," he said, his voice low, almost condescending. "I’m just here to ensure she gets to where she needs to be."

Olga’s eyes flicked to him, then back to me. "What does that mean, exactly?"

Before I could answer, Adriano spoke again, his tone final. "You’ll find out soon enough."

And just like that, he turned and walked off, leaving me with Olga, my heart sinking further into the pit of my stomach.

Inside the hospital, the atmosphere felt just as cold as the estate. But this was different. I was surrounded by people who had no idea what was really going on, who didn’t know the danger I was in.

Olga and I walked together through the familiar halls, but it was impossible to shake the feeling that I didn’t belong here anymore. This place used to feel like home, a safe haven from the chaos that had become my life. But now, it was just a reminder of everything I had lost.

Olga gave me a sideways glance. "You look like you’re about to crack, Nat. Are you sure you’re okay?"

I nodded, though I could feel the lie curling at the edges of my lips. "Yeah, just... a little tired. Long night."

Her eyes softened, but she didn’t press me further. Instead, she squeezed my shoulder in a comforting gesture, though I could feel the tension in her touch. She didn’t believe me, not entirely.

But what could I tell her? That I was stuck in a twisted game with no way out? That the man I was supposed to marry was someone who controlled everything I did, every breath I took?

"Let’s just get through today," I muttered, more to myself than to her.

The hours dragged on, every second feeling like a weight pressing down on me. The usual bustle of the hospital seemed to blur into the background, and all I could think about was the suffocating reality that awaited me outside.

Adriano’s presence was a constant reminder of my captivity, his dark eyes watching me from a distance, making sure I didn’t try anything stupid. Every time I glanced at him, I saw the same cold expression that had been there since the moment he caught me running.

But I was far from giving up. I would find a way out. I had to.

After a long, grueling day, I was finally allowed to leave. The moment I stepped outside, the fresh air felt like a small victory. I could feel Olga’s concerned eyes on me, but for now, I ignored it. She didn’t need to know everything. Not yet.

But inside, a fire was burning, and I wasn’t going to let it die.

I reached for my phone in my bag, my fingers trembling as I dialed a number that was recently saved in my phone.

The line rang once. Twice.

And then, a voice answered. "Natalie?"

I froze, a chill crawling up my spine.

Luca.

I barely managed to choke out the words. "I need to talk."

And the words he said next would change everything.