Chapter {3}

{NYRA}

I made my way into the noisy lounge, hoping to find him.

Strange people occupied the area. Cigarettes, tobacco lingered in my senses.

Music thumped from hidden speakers, bass rattling the floor. Muffled laughter spilled from the corners, mixing with the scrape of glasses and footsteps fading into the dark.

Strippers danced on the pole. Ass wiggled.

Sin made here its last haven.

“Can’t believe I’m here— with gangs of losers like this.”

My arms braced me. The atmosphere drenched my skin.

“Hey, beautiful, what are you doing here?”

Weird-looking, drunk assholes threw glances at me.

I ignored them.

“Looking for your boyfriend?” They laughed shamefully.

Their teeth— badly rotted.

A part of me wanted to go back home, but I was ready to risk it all, just to see how the story would end.

“He’s right there.”

One of the bartenders I met led me into the VIP lounge.

I nodded. “Thanks.”

Draven was a mess.

He fumbled with the glass, spilling liquor down his shirt, the smell clinging to him like a second skin.

Immediately, he noticed my presence. He adjusted himself properly to the sofa.

“Nyra… you came.”

A smirk tugged at the corners of his lips.

Unbelievable! Did he think I came here because I missed him?

Definitely— not. I was here for answers.

“You had to meet me this way. I’m sorry.” He motioned for the glasses to be cleared.

One remained, deliberately left behind, like a warning.

I rolled my eyes mentally. “Cut to the chase, Draven… you’ve got an hour.”

I sat opposite him, creating an intentional boundary.

My feet tapped impatiently on the tiled, cold floor.

“You saw it too?” His gaze searched for me.

“I didn’t expect it to spread so fast, Nyra. It will be taken down immediately.”

I shifted when he tried to place his hands on mine.

The snake tattoo above his elbow made him appear more dangerous, more vile. As his muscles flexed, the ink seemed to coil and twitch, alive, ready to strike.

Draven was unapologetically handsome… despite the state he was in.

Always neat, like it was a ritual.

It was one of the reasons I fell for him back in college, twelve years ago.

“You left me on the altar with no explanation. Why?” His brows furrowed.

Silence stretched between us. My chest tightened, every second dragging like an hour. I clenched my fists, nails biting into my skin, refusing to look away.

I swallowed hard, voice shaky.

“I heard every word… every last one you spoke over the phone.”

This time, my eyes boldly held his.

“Alfred…” The word clawed its way out.

Draven’s smirk faltered. His jaw tightened, but he masked it quickly.

A perfect deceiver.

“You used me. There was someone else, and yet you faked your love for me.”

“We were childhood friends, Draven. How could you hide such a horrible truth?”

“You took advantage of my love while you were out there— fucking him.”

“That’s why I called,” he stuttered, kneeling.

He wasn’t sober.

Pretense and lies — his only talent.

“I want to make it up to you, Nyra. I realized I was a jerk. Honestly… I’ve changed.”

Fake tears.

“Alfred and I… we’ve broken up.”

“Today. After dad refused to hand over his company to me.”

“It turned out, he was only with me for the money.”

So this was what it was about.

His voice was flat, his eyes dry, no flicker of guilt crossing his face.

“Wow. So this is what I get for picking up—shade and silence. Classic Draven.”

“You love me, Nyra… we can work this out again.”

His hand caressed mine.

“I’ll be good to you this time… I promise.”

I sighed, irritated. “What do you want?”

“Let’s get married… again.”

He dropped the bomb.

And that did it. I hit him across the face.

“This… is for wasting my time. I’m leaving.”

I had already taken three steps towards the door.

About to twist the doorknob, when I felt a strong grip on me.

“You can’t leave. Not now… not when I’m just getting started,” his voice laced with lust.

His eyes switched into something I could barely recognize.

Still, his grip on me — tight, stronger than usual.

A cold breeze shivered down my spine.

“Let me… go, Draven!” I thawed in fear. “You’re drunk.”

“Am I?”

His tone sharpened, darker.

My heart jumped.

“You know, I thought you were going to be easy to fool again, but I guess I underestimated you.”

His lips curled into something sinister.

“Guess… I have to do this my way.”

His eyes lingered on my breast, unblinking. His tongue darted across his lips, slow and deliberate, like a predator savoring the thought of prey.

“Get… your fucking hands… off me!!” I panicked.

“I’ve always wondered how delicious you were going to taste down there,” he smirked.

“You’ve always been so stingy, but now… You and I are going to have a lot of fun tonight.”

Immediately— it dawned on me. I had fallen into his trap.

I raised my voice in fear, hoping for a rescue, when he slammed me hard to the ground.

Pain shot through my body.

Tears formed on my face.

Draven’s hands moved with vile intent, his moans disgusting against my ear. He sucked on my nipples.

I screamed loudly. “Stop… please… let me go!!”

But he didn’t.

His hands stroked my opening, looking for access.

“Fuck!! You’re so tight, Nyra.”

His grip, his touch — invasive, cruel.

“Stop fighting… and enjoy every second of it.”

“Don’t pretend you don’t want this as well.”

“No… I don’t. Please, Draven.”

Suddenly, his hands traveled underneath my skirt. He pulled down my pants

My breath caught.

I couldn’t let this happen.

So I bit him on the neck, struggling to get up.

It only enraged him more.

He slapped me hard across the cheek.

Blood poured from my mouth.

The room tilted, lights smeared into streaks, and the floor seemed to sway beneath me.

“Let me go.”

I shrieked so loud when his fingers slid through my vagina.

It was harsh. Painful.

“You’ll regret this,” I spat, weak but defiant.

Draven successfully left me naked. My bra and my panties managed to stay intact.

However, it wasn't going to be long until he yanked it apart.

“I was going to be gentle, but you had to be so stubborn,” he snarled, his eyes fixed on my bare skin.

Now— I could see his dick, staring at me.

It was as hard as a rock. Veins popped out.

“You’re going to enjoy this… it won’t hurt much,” he leaned closer.

“Just four rounds of hot sex and my semen inside you will do the trick.”

“If you’re pregnant— your parents won't have any choice to hand you over to me.

“There’s never going to be an option— except to marry me.”

“You wish!” I spat at him.

With every strength I had left, I kicked his groin.

He collapsed, nursing his pain.

I lunged toward the door, bare skin exposed, desperate for escape.

But before I could blink, a sharp object struck.

“Arrgh!” I winced in pain. Blood on my palms.

The bastard had smashed a wine bottle against my head.

“Nyra…”

My name escaped his lips as I dropped flat to the floor.

“Help!” I whispered, struggling to breathe.

But he was gone.

The floor flowed with my blood.

Slowly— I drifted into darkness.

For the first time— death felt real.

Its teeth snarled at me.

“I— don’t want— to— die,” I struggled with words.

The air became toxic to my nostrils.

In silent prayers— my heart hoped someone out there heard my voice.

“Save me.”