No strings attached |(UNDER REVISION)

Chapter 42- Hold my hand

Because I had no answer to that. Because, deep down, I had let him manipulate me for far too long.

But not anymore.

I took a deep breath and mustered all the strength I had left. Then, without warning, I slammed my knee upward-hitting him hard between the legs.

Adrian let out a strangled groan of pain, his grip on me loosening for just a second.

And that was all I needed.

I shoved him off me with everything I had and scrambled off the bed, running toward the door. But before I could reach it, Adrian grabbed my ankle, yanking me back.

I hit the floor with a painful thud, gasping.

"You're not going anywhere," he snarled, his voice dripping with venom.

My body froze.

The weight of Adrian's words pressed down on me like a crushing force, stealing the breath from my lungs.

"You're my wife. You're staying here. And I will make sure to bring your beloved Mikha's lifeless body here."

A cold, terrifying shiver ran down my spine.

"No," I whispered, shaking my head in disbelief. "You wouldn't-"

Adrian let out a dark chuckle, his grip on my ankle tightening as he dragged me back toward him. "Wouldn't I?" he mocked, his voice dripping with malice. "Do you really think I'll just stand by and watch you run back to her?"

My heart pounded wildly, panic rising in my chest. "Adrian, please," I gasped, trying to kick him off. "You don't have to do this."

His eyes darkened, filled with twisted possessiveness. "But I do," he hissed. "You made me this way, Aiah. You turned me into this. You keep running, and I keep chasing. But this time..." He leaned closer, his breath hot against my skin. "I'm ending it. You. Me. No one else."

Tears welled in my eyes, but I refused to break in front of him. "You're sick," I spat. "This isn't love, Adrian."

His expression twisted in rage. "Then let me show you what love really means."

Before I could react, he grabbed me by the throat, slamming me against the floor. My vision blurred, black spots dancing at the edges. I clawed at his hand, struggling to breathe.

This was it.

If I didn't do something now, I would never make it out of here alive.

And worse-neither would Mikha.

My body ached as I lay on the cold floor, gasping for air the moment Adrian let me go. My hands trembled as I rubbed at my sore throat, my pulse pounding in my ears.

I needed to move. To act. Before it was too late.

The moment Adrian stormed out of the room, I scrambled to my feet, biting back the pain shooting through my body. My vision swam, but I forced myself to stay upright, reaching for my phone with shaking fingers.

I barely had time to think as I typed out a message to Mikha.

Mikha,

If you ever cared about me, please listen-stay away. Don't look for me. Don't come near me. Adrian knows, and he won't stop until he gets what he wants. And if you try to save me... I know he'll come for you.
Please, Mikha. Take care of yourself. Live your life. Be happy, even if it's without me. I don't want you caught in this.
I love you. I always have. But this is goodbye.

Tears blurred my vision as I hit send.

A second later, the door flew open.

I barely had time to react before Adrian stepped inside-his dark eyes locked onto me like a predator. And this time, he wasn't empty-handed.