Doomed
764 Words
Chapter 1POV: Celeste SebastianDarkness wrapped the city like a heavy cloak, the night air cool against my skin. I lay sprawled on the softest bed in Silverton’s most expensive hotel suite, the silk nightgown clinging to me, but my hands—bound tight behind me—burned with cold and panic.Suddenly, my eyes snapped open, wide and alert, darting frantically across the empty room.Voices approached—confident, too calm for the storm in my chest.“Mr. Gregory, she’s my daughter,” the man said, his tone coated with false pride. “Stubborn, yes. But a virgin—still. Once a woman’s lost that, she becomes... manageable. Like a kitten.”The woman beside him nodded eagerly, a forced smile painted on her face. “And young women are better for heirs. Strong, healthy babies.”I swallowed hard, every word a cold knife twisting in my gut.The heavyset Mr. Gregory pushed open the door with his keycard, the soft click loud in the tense silence.“Connor, you’re sure she’s here?” His voice was low but sharp.Connor’s smile faltered as he stepped inside, searching the room—and froze.Empty. No sign of me.“Where is she?” Mr. Gregory’s eyes darkened. “Are you playing me for a fool?”Viv, the woman—my stepmother—swallowed nervously, sweat dampening her pale forehead. “I brought her here, tied her hands so she wouldn’t fight... I even drugged her.”My breath caught. I felt it—the lingering haze in my veins, the weakness dragging me down. I wanted to run, but my legs were like lead, my body betraying me.I pressed my back against the wall, teeth clenched against the pain and fear.Suddenly, a whisper behind me. “This can’t be happening...” Viv’s voice carried hatred as she paced, desperate to find me.I spotted it—a barely open door just beyond the suite. A sliver of hope.Blood pounding in my ears, I bit my lip hard until it bled, drawing strength from the sting.I darted toward the door just as Viv and Connor’s footsteps thundered closer. I shoved the door open and slipped inside, heart hammering as I pressed myself against it.I was free.Relief bloomed like fire in my chest—until cold eyes locked on mine.He stood before me—towering, bare-chested, a towel wrapped low around his hips.His hair clung damply to his forehead, and his sharp gaze pinned me like a hunted animal.Someone knocked behind us. He frowned, lips parting slightly.No. I couldn’t let him speak—not now.With the last of my strength, I stepped forward and kissed him—hard and desperate.His eyes widened in surprise, heat rushing through him.Unaware of the drug coating my lips, he melted into the kiss, as if caught in a trap.The knocking paused. Then resumed.Gasping, I broke away and met his piercing gaze.My voice barely a whisper: “Please... save me.”His expression shifted—cold and cruel—a twisted smile curving his lips.“Save you?” His voice was thick with irony. “I need to save myself.”Before I could react, his hands gripped my waist, strong and unyielding.The world spun as he lifted me effortlessly and tossed me onto the soft bed.Sunlight spilled through the curtains the next morning, burning away the remnants of the nightmare.Every inch of me ached like I’d been run over.I sat up, eyes locked on the sleeping man beside me—the one I begged to save me, and who instead had bound me in more ways than one.I wanted to yell, slap him, demand answers. But I swallowed it down.At least he was better looking than Mr. Gregory.I quietly slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb him, and dressed in his oversized shirt and pants.In his pocket, I found a wallet stuffed with cash. Hope flickered.I needed this—to disappear, to buy freedom.I glanced at his ID: Enzo Cole.Enzo Cole.Before I could think more, he stirred, eyes opening to an empty room.Confusion crossed his face until he spotted the crimson stain on the sheets.“Damn woman,” he growled.He grabbed his phone, voice cold and sharp: “Liam, find her. Now.”Liam arrived flustered, nervously explaining he hadn’t dared enter last night.“How many know I’m here?” Enzo demanded, eyes blazing.“No one,” Liam stammered.Enzo’s jaw tightened. Someone else had to know—someone had set this trap.Liam hesitated, then confessed: “We haven’t found her.”Enzo’s glare promised retribution.The hunt was on.
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