Chapter 6: The Storm Behind Locked Doors
1153 Words
Amelia paced across the vast bedroom, her mind spinning with one singular, desperate thought—escape.
The storm outside had escalated into an untamed beast. Rain lashed against the glass windows like an army demanding entry, and the wind howled through the trees surrounding the estate. The flickering lights in the hallway cast long, eerie shadows, giving the illusion that the walls themselves were closing in on her.
The tension in her chest coiled tighter.
She had been here for days. Trapped.
Ethan had kept her locked away in this mansion, surrounded by luxury, but it was a prison nonetheless. He controlled everything—when she ate, when she slept, where she went.
And worst of all?
He refused to tell her where Elias was.
Her stomach twisted at the thought of him.
Elias, her fiancé. The man who had promised her forever. The man who was supposed to be by her side, slipping a ring onto her finger, not vanishing into thin air and leaving her at the mercy of his cold, possessive twin.
A chill ran down her spine, but not from the storm outside.
Something wasn’t right.
Elias wouldn’t leave her. He loved her.
She had to find him.
Amelia’s gaze darted to the window. Outside, the world was drenched in darkness, save for the occasional burst of lightning that illuminated the estate. The storm had made it the perfect night to run—if she was willing to risk it.
She exhaled sharply. No more waiting.
Moving swiftly, she grabbed the small bag she had packed earlier—only the essentials. Her heart pounded as she crept toward the door, every step measured, every breath controlled. She knew where the side exit was. If she could reach it before Ethan noticed she was gone—
The moment her fingers wrapped around the door handle, it swung open on its own.
A gasp caught in her throat as she stumbled back.
And then she saw him.
Standing in the dimly lit hallway, dressed in a black button-down with the sleeves rolled up, was Ethan Carter.
The man who had stolen her freedom.
His presence alone sucked the air from the room, his storm-gray eyes locking onto hers with a knowing, infuriating smirk.
Her pulse jumped.
He knew.
He knew she was trying to escape.
Her stomach twisted, but she forced herself to stand tall, tilting her chin up in defiance.
Ethan’s eyes flicked to the bag in her hand before returning to her face. He leaned casually against the doorway, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
“Going somewhere?” His voice was low, smooth, but laced with something dangerous.
Her heart pounded violently against her ribs. Damn it.
She swallowed hard, gripping the strap of her bag tighter. “Let me go.”
A dark chuckle escaped his lips. “No.”
Her breath hitched. The audacity of this man.
Her fingers curled into a fist. “You can’t keep me here.”
His smirk deepened, slow and lazy, but his eyes held something darker. Something that made her insides tighten in a way they shouldn’t.
“I can,” he said simply. “And I will.”
Her teeth clenched. “Where is Elias?”
At that, his jaw twitched. The smirk faltered, only for a second, before his mask slid back into place.
“You still think he’s coming back, don’t you?” Ethan’s voice was softer now, but no less intense.
Her stomach churned. “I know he is.”
His eyes darkened, and something flickered in them—something unreadable.
She had never understood Ethan. He was controlled, emotionless—everything Elias wasn’t. He had never approved of their relationship, had always kept his distance, watching her like she was some kind of temporary nuisance.
But now?
Now, he watched her like he had been waiting for this moment.
Like he had finally won.
Her breathing grew unsteady. “I don’t belong here.”
Ethan moved.
Before she could react, he closed the distance between them in two strides.
One hand slammed against the doorframe beside her head, caging her in. The other reached up, fingers brushing against her chin, tilting her face up toward his.
She froze.
His touch was light, barely there, but it burned.
She should have pushed him away. Should have slapped him, screamed—anything.
But she didn’t.
She couldn’t.
His voice dropped to a whisper, his breath hot against her lips. “You don’t belong anywhere else, Amelia.”
Her entire body went rigid.
Her heart pounded.
She hated him.
Didn’t she?
She tried to turn away, but Ethan’s fingers tightened on her chin, forcing her to look at him.
His stormy gaze flickered lower—to her lips.
Her breath caught. No.
She saw the moment he decided.
A split second before his lips crashed onto hers.
The kiss stole every ounce of breath from her lungs.
It was not gentle. Not sweet.
It was rough, demanding—a battle of dominance and resistance. His fingers tangled into her hair, tilting her head back as he deepened the kiss, taking what he wanted.
She should have fought him.
She should have screamed.
But her traitorous body reacted before her mind could catch up—her fingers fisting his shirt, pulling him closer instead of pushing him away.
A deep growl rumbled from his chest. He pressed her back against the wall, his body pinning hers, leaving no space between them.
Heat pooled in her stomach, a dangerous, unfamiliar ache.
This wasn’t supposed to happen.
She wasn’t supposed to want this.
Her mind screamed at her to stop. To shove him away, to remember who he was—what he had taken from her.
But her body betrayed her.
When he finally pulled back, her lips were swollen, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
Ethan didn’t move away. His forehead rested against hers, his fingers still tangled in her hair.
His voice was hoarse when he spoke. “Still think you don’t belong here?”
A fresh wave of anger surged through her.
She shoved him back—hard.
Ethan barely stumbled, but the smirk was gone.
Her voice trembled as she wiped her lips, as if she could erase the way he had just made her feel.
“I hate you,” she whispered, venom lacing every word.
Ethan exhaled, running a hand through his hair. When he looked at her again, something dangerous burned in his gaze.
“You keep saying that,” he murmured, “but your body tells me something else.”
Her pulse slammed against her ribs.
She didn’t stay to hear anything else.
She turned, storming away—her heart still betraying her with every rapid, thundering beat.
And behind her, Ethan watched her go.
Like a predator watching his prey run… knowing there was nowhere left to hide.
To Be Continued….
- Writer
