Chapter 4

Elena's POV

My heart raced as such thoughts slammed into my mind. It couldn’t be right, could it? There was definitely no way he was Caspian Nightingale—the Caspian known by everyone in Maxnight City.

“No…” I shook my head in refusal, trying my very best to dispel the thoughts and assumptions that the man I had a one-night stand with after my divorce, the man who had brought me back home, was actually related to my ex-husband and, even worse, his uncle.

I laughed like a maniac, my fingers running through each strand of my hair as I kept my gaze locked on the plaque.

I was now married to my own ex-husband's uncle? No… that didn't make any sense. It was just all in my head, right?

I tried my best to keep my head intact, to keep my thoughts straight, but I just couldn't convince myself that this was all my imagination. It was real. I had signed a marriage contract with my ex-husband's uncle, and even worse, he had me locked up in his home.

“No… no, this can't be.” My heart raced as I turned sharply on my heels. I rushed toward the door of his study, ready to leave the room before Caspian returned and found me in it.

But just as I held the door handle, ready to push the door open and leave, I found myself freezing at the sudden sound of trudging steps approaching the study.

A sharp gasp escaped my lips. I've been caught, I thought inwardly, my heart racing rapidly with fear and regret at this point.

If I had known, I definitely wouldn't have come into this room. Now, I was in deep trouble—I was about to get caught.

With every second that passed, the sound grew closer, but just then, it stopped, intriguing me. Out of curiosity and uncertainty, I slowly turned the door handle and pushed the door slightly open, just enough for me to peek through the opening.

I was expecting to find Caspian before the door, but to my greatest shock and surprise, it was Nathan, his assistant.

But he wasn't standing alone. He had a freaking gun—a pistol in his grip—with his back turned against me. It seemed like he had just left a secret room and was heading out of the mansion.

He placed his phone to his ear. “Don't worry, I'll make sure they are taken care of properly. Besides, we just arrived in Maxnight City. Mr. Caspian has given his orders.”

The moment he spoke those words, I felt my feet wobble beneath me. I was standing behind a man with a gun, married to a dangerous person?

I couldn't help but freak out. I had almost screamed too, but I held it in, my eyes quivering in total fear.

Just then, Nathan ended his call, plunged his phone into his pocket, and dashed out of sight.

This was my chance. No matter how cute Caspian was, no matter how silly I had been to sign a marriage contract with him…

This had to end right now!

There was definitely no way I was going to stay in a dangerous place like this. I needed to leave—I needed to find a way out. With my senses on high alert, I snuck out of the room and began searching for anything that would lead me outside the mansion.

Anywhere at all that wasn’t the main exit. I was certain he would find me if I used it. Even worse, he could kill me.

Beads of sweat popped through my head as I scanned the mansion. Just then, I caught sight of the window at the far-right end of the mansion. It was big enough to let me out.

Without wasting a second, I rushed toward it, climbed out, and exited the mansion through the window. The cold air hit every spur of my skin, but it did little to quench the burning fear that lingered deep inside me.

With my eyes darting around every single second of the night, confirming if I was safe, I began heading toward the gate.

This was my plan, but yet again, something thwarted it. I paused at the thrilling sight of about four men climbing the mansion’s fence and sneaking into the compound.

They weren’t just mere men; they looked scary, with guns in their grips and masks covering their faces. I panicked, but no matter what, I couldn't let them see me. I hid behind the walls of the mansion.

I needed to leave before anything else happened.

Just as I took a trembling step forward, ready to run before anything else unfolded, something within me clicked. My instincts? Guilt? I wasn’t sure, but I felt the urgent need to go back and inform Caspian about the men sneaking into his mansion.

“No, Elena… snap out of it. They can handle themselves. You just need to get out of here!” I mumbled to myself, but then again, I couldn't.

For some reason, I feared his death.

“Fine! Do it, but don’t get yourself hurt!” I warned like an insane person before turning back. I should be running away from danger, not embracing it, but what choice did I have?

I couldn’t let him die this way.

Biting my lip, I silently cursed myself and pushed my legs to move faster. I had to reach him before they did. 

My chest tightened with each hurried step, my breath coming in short, shaky gasps. The pounding of my heart echoed in my ears, a mix of fear and desperate determination driving me forward.

I reached a confused turn on my way and hesitated for just a second, unsure of which way to go. 

But before I could make a decision, strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind, yanking me backward with such force that I stumbled. 

I slammed into a solid, unmoving body, knocking the breath out of me. My pulse spiked as a wave of panic rushed through me.

For a moment, I was too stunned to react. My hands trembled as I slowly lifted my gaze, my body stiff in his hold. 

And then, my breath hitched. Cold, intense eyes locked onto mine—filled with something dark, unreadable. I was trapped.

“Ugh!”