Pov Tony
I've just arrived at the mall.
Alex asked me to come check that she's okay.
She had categorically refused to go out with bodyguards, claiming she wanted to "breathe normally," without an escort, without anyone watching her.
Alex gave in… reluctantly.
Me? No.
I came discreetly. Without her knowing.
Suddenly, my phone vibrates in my pocket.
I look at the screen.
Detective.
The one I assigned to follow him. To inform me of every move.
I pick up immediately.
— Yes, I'm listening.
His voice is low, professional.
— Sir… he's just arrived at the mall.
— Who? I say, already knowing the answer.
— Malik. And… she's there too.
I stop dead in my tracks.
My jaws tighten.
— You mean he followed her?
A short silence. Too long.
— Yes. He's been following her for over three hours now.
Three hours.
A violent rage rises in me, fast, burning.
I grip the phone so tightly my fingers go white.
— Keep me updated, I say sharply.
I hang up.
And then I see her.
Esther.
She's walking fast. Too fast.
Her shoulders tense. Her body stiff.
She's running from something… or someone.
Behind her, I see him too.
Malik.
His steps calculated.
His gaze fixed on her.
A predator, confident, convinced his prey will eventually give in.
My blood boils.
I take a step. Then two. Then three.
I'm about to call out when—
Esther reaches the top of the stairs.
She places a foot on the first step.
And that's when everything shifts.
Malik grabs her wrist violently.
— Esther! he yells.
He pulls her backward, hard enough to force her to turn around.
I see her body stiffen in surprise.
— Don't touch me!
She shakes him off with a sharp, violent motion.
But he doesn't stop.
His hands land on her shoulders.
Not gently.
Not by accident.
With force.
I see his fingers dig into the fabric of her dress.
— Let go of me!
She pushes him away violently.
Takes a step back.
Just one.
Her heel slips on the edge of the stair.
I see her body tipping.
Her breath catches.
Her arms reach for air.
Time slows.
— ESTHER!
I don't think anymore.
I run.
I grab her by the waist at the exact moment she was about to fall.
Her body hits mine, hard.
I bend slightly under the impact, but I hold.
I hold her.
Her fingers clutch my jacket.
Her heart beats against my chest.
Fast. Too fast.
I tighten my grip instinctively.
— I've got you. Don't move. Close your eyes, I say in a deep voice.
I lift her slowly, without letting go.
Then, almost instinctively, like an old reflex, almost animal, I place her behind me.
I lift my head.
My gaze meets Malik's.
He takes a step back.
Just one.
I stare at him.
Coldly.
No words.
Because there's nothing to say to this kind of man.
He stares at me, surprised. Suspicious.
Then he advances again, slowly, a nervous smile plastered on his face.
He reaches out toward Esther.
I move before he can reach her.
My hand closes over his, stopping him mid-air.
My grip is firm. Unyielding.
I say nothing.
I just step forward.
The air changes.
The tension becomes suffocating.
Every muscle in my body screams one thing:
Never touch her again.
He withdraws his hand, surprised but trying to maintain his arrogance.
— Oh… so it's you, he murmurs, finally realizing.
I keep staring.
Silence is my weapon.
My stance, my gaze, are enough.
Then I speak. Slowly.
— You can look at her all you want. But you will never touch her again.
He smiles nervously.
— Since when are you hiding behind some stranger? he spits.
— You don't have the courage to face me alone anymore?
I feel Esther's hand tighten on my forearm.
She's trembling.
But she's here.
— And you… who are you? Who are you to meddle in what's none of your business? he raises his voice.
— Watch what you—
— He's my fiancé.
Her voice trembles.
But it's firm.
The word lands.
Heavy.
Brutal.
I say nothing. I don't need to.
He laughs, dry, nervous.
— Your what? That's a joke, right?
Esther steps forward.
Places herself in front of me.
Facing him.
Her body shakes.
But her eyes burn.
— You've crossed all boundaries. You have no rights over me anymore. None. You've been nothing to me since the moment you betrayed me. Stay away from me. And from my family. Never dare speak my name again.
Silence.
She turns to me, takes my hand.
— Let's go, she whispers.
I nod.
We walk together.
Passing Malik, I stop just a second.
— Never touch her again, I say calmly.
Not today.
Not tomorrow.
Not in any life.
I don't raise my voice.
We leave.
I feel his gaze burning into my back.
But I pay it no mind.
I walk.
She's with me.
And that's all that matters.
If this chapter made your heart race as much as Esther's, send me a Power Stone to fuel the magic of the next one! Every stone strengthens the story… and the bond between our heroes. 💎❤️