Escape!

Night had fallen, and Seraphina was crying uncontrollably. Her body trembled as sobs wracked through her chest, her memories of Jarvis made the pain in her heart unbearable. Every moment they shared replayed in her mind like a tormenting movie. Her tears soaked the sleeves of her shirt, and her breathing came out in ragged gasps.

Suddenly, she heard the soft click of a door unlocking. Panic surged through her. She scrambled to a corner, hiding herself in the shadows, still crying but now also trembling in fear. Her heart raced, expecting the worst.

"Seraphina, it's me. Emma," a familiar voice called softly.

Emma stepped into the room, closing the door gently behind her. Her tone was calm and reassuring. Seraphina didn’t respond, her sobs continuing as she buried her face in her knees.

Emma walked over and sat beside her on the cold floor. "I know you hate everything that’s happening; Vincenzo is forcing you blindly, and none of this is fair," she said with a gentle concern in her voice.

"I don't know anything," Seraphina choked through her tears. "I didn't do anything to deserve this."

"I believe you," Emma said softly. "But now is not the time to cry, it's time to leave. I can help you escape."

Seraphina lifted her head slowly, her eyes red and swollen. She stared at Emma with shock and disbelief.

"Yes," Emma nodded. "You can run away. My friends are outside, waiting on the other side of the mansion. They’ll hide you until you can reach your boyfriend. No one will know who helped you."

"No, no," Seraphina shook her head, terrified. "What if he finds me? He’ll kill me… he’ll kill Jarvis."

"He won’t," Emma insisted. "He won’t even know who helped you." I promise, I’ll take care of everything. Just trust me."

After a few seconds of hesitation, Seraphina nodded weakly. Silently, she followed Emma’s directions and slipped out of the room. Keeping to the shadows, she made her way to the other side of the mansion. With Emma's help, she reached the gates.

But as she stepped onto the road, her heart stopped.

Vincenzo.

He was sitting in his car right in front of her, his cold eyes locked on hers. His lips curled into a wicked smirk.

"Get in, my wife-to-be," he ordered in a husky tone.

Seraphina's blood ran cold. Without a second thought, she turned around and started running, her heartbeat thundering in her ears. Vincenzo's eyes narrowed in disbelief before he hit the accelerator and drove after her.

She darted into a narrow alleyway where the car couldn’t follow. But she was burning up with a fever, and her body was weak. Vincenzo abandoned the car and chased her on foot. It didn’t take long for him to catch up.

He grabbed her waist and slammed her against a wall, pinning her in place.

"I told you," he hissed, an evil glint in his eyes. "You can't escape from me."

"Please… please let me go," Seraphina begged, breathing heavily.

"Never," he growled. "You're mine."

Without another word, he lifted her effortlessly and carried her back to the car. Seraphina struggled the entire way, hitting and kicking, but he was far stronger. He shoved her into the passenger seat and slammed the door shut, locking it. Then he got in and began driving back toward the mansion.

"Please, Vincenzo," she pleaded again, her voice hoarse. "Let me go."

He suddenly slammed the brakes and unlocked the door. It flew open as the car continued rolling.

"You want to go?" he snapped, grabbing her arm and shoving her halfway out. "Go! But just remember one thing: if you leave, your precious Jarvis dies. Do you want him dead? Huh? DO YOU?"

Her eyes widened in terror as she shook her head vigorously, crying.

He yanked her back into the seat and locked the door. "That's what I thought."

Moments later, he pulled her into his lap as he stopped the car. "You will be my wife. Accept it. The more you resist, the worse it'll be for you."

Seraphina sobbed silently as he kissed her lips roughly, ignoring her protests. He forced her face toward him again, this time capturing her mouth in a deeper, more brutal kiss. His hands crept under her shirt, caressing her back without mercy.

Her hand accidentally pressed the car horn, making a loud noise.

He chuckled darkly. "Is it getting too uncomfortable? Should we finish this in the backseat?"

She whimpered and shook her head, trying to escape his hold.

"Better stay quiet," he warned with a twisted smirk. "I'm holding back tonight because I want you to walk down the aisle tomorrow. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be so gentle."

He placed her back in her seat and resumed driving.

When they returned to the mansion, Emma stood frozen in the hallway, her eyes widened in fear. Seraphina's return was the last thing she expected. Her heart pounded. If Vincenzo found out she had helped, she would be dead.

Vincenzo shoved the door open, his fury erupting. "Who helped her? Come out now before I find you myself! You have one chance for mercy!"

The guards looked petrified. No one dared to move.

Emma took a step forward, but before she could speak, Seraphina shouted, "No one helped me! I escaped on my own!"

Emma froze. Relief washed over her.

Vincenzo turned to Seraphina with a deadly glare. "So you want a double punishment for lying? Say the truth now!"

"I am telling the truth," Seraphina said, her voice strong despite her trembling. "I escaped alone."

His eyes narrowed. Without another word, he grabbed her arm and dragged her up to his bedroom. He threw her onto the bed like a ragdoll.

"Get changed," he barked, tossing her a shirt and a tiny pair of shorts. "You’ll get your punishment soon."

She went to the bathroom and returned dressed in the clothes he gave her. The room was freezing, the air conditioner on full blast. She began to shiver as the cold air nipped at her skin.

Vincenzo returned, smirking with a single duvet in his hand.

"Go to sleep," he said casually, lying down and covering himself.

Seraphina lay on the edge of the bed, her teeth chattering.

"S…sir, can I have the duvet?" she begged, desperate for warmth.

He glanced at her with a mocking smile. "No. That’s your punishment. Sleep without it."

"Please… I’m freezing," she whispered. "I’m sorry…"

He leaned on one elbow. "I can give you the duvet, but only if you sleep in it with me."

Her eyes widened in horror. "You monster..."

"Come on," he said smoothly. "You know you can't say no."

Seraphina turned away in silence, hugging herself tightly.

Vincenzo stared at her for a moment, then reached out and pulled her toward him. She gasped, startled awake as he cuddled her close.

"Stay calm," he whispered. "I won't touch you, not tonight..... your real punishment begins tomorrow."

His hand grazed her waist, and though she tried to resist, her fever and exhaustion overpowered her. Against her will, she drifted off into a restless sleep in the arms of the man who had stolen her freedom.