No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 42- Hold my hand

AIAH'S POV

I gasped, struggling for breath as Adrian's grip tightened around my throat. His fingers dug into my skin, cutting off my air, and my vision blurred. Panic surged through me, but I refused to let him see fear in my eyes.

"Adrian-" I choked, clawing at his wrists, desperate for relief. "P-Please..."

His face was twisted in rage, his eyes dark with fury. "You think you can just walk away from this? From me?" he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "After everything I've done for you?"

I could barely think, barely process what was happening. My mind screamed at me to fight, but my body was growing weaker by the second.

"I-It's over," I managed to whisper, my nails digging into his skin as I tried to pry his hands off me. "You... don't own me..."

Adrian let out a bitter laugh, tightening his hold until spots danced in my vision. "You're mine, Aiah. I gave you everything. And now, you're going back to her?"

Mikha.

His words sent a jolt of realization through me. He knew. He had seen me with her. And that's why he was doing this.

The air in my lungs was running out. My body screamed for oxygen. If I didn't do something, I was going to die right here, in his hands.

No.

Not like this.

With the last of my strength, I drove my knee up-hard-into his stomach. Adrian grunted in pain, his grip loosening just enough for me to yank myself free. I stumbled back, gasping for air, my throat burning.

He recovered quickly, his eyes filled with something terrifying. "You'll regret that," he hissed, stepping toward me.

My heart pounded. I needed to get out of here. Now.

Without another thought, I turned and ran.

My heart pounded wildly in my chest as I sprinted down the hallway, my breath coming in ragged gasps. Every instinct screamed at me to run faster, to get away, but Adrian was right behind me.

"Aiah!" he roared, his voice filled with pure rage. "You can't escape me!"

I pushed forward, adrenaline surging through my veins. But before I could reach the door, a strong hand yanked my hair back violently.

"Agh!" I cried out as pain shot through my scalp. My balance tipped, and before I knew it, I was being dragged backward.

"No! Let go of me!" I screamed, struggling against his grip.

Adrian didn't say a word. He was breathing heavily, his hold unrelenting as he dragged me into the bedroom. My hands clawed at his arm, my nails digging into his skin, but he didn't even flinch.

The moment we crossed the threshold, he threw me onto the bed with brutal force. My body hit the mattress hard, knocking the wind out of me.

I barely had time to recover before he was on top of me, pinning me down. His fingers wrapped around my wrists, trapping me beneath him. His eyes, filled with fury and something even darker, bore into mine.

"You're mine, Aiah," he growled, his voice trembling with rage. "You think you can just run back to her? After everything I've done for you?"

Tears burned at the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I gritted my teeth, trying to twist out of his grip. "You don't own me, Adrian," I spat. "You never did."

His jaw clenched, his fingers tightening painfully around my wrists. "Then why do you keep coming back?" he sneered. "Why do you keep letting me in?"

I froze.