"Let me go, let me go." I screamed as he dragged me out of the car.
My feet scraped against the rough ground, my shoes barely holding on as he pulled me like I weighed nothing. The cold air hit my skin, sharp and unforgiving, but it did nothing to cool the panic burning inside my chest.
"Let me go, you murderer. Let me go." I screamed and tried to free myself but his grip was too tight.
His fingers dug into my arm, hard enough to hurt, hard enough to remind me that fighting him was useless.
My heart hammered violently as my eyes darted around the blood and bodies on the ground. Everywhere I looked, there was death.
I struggled blindly, terror giving me strength I didn't know I had. I had no idea how it happened, no clear thought behind it—but suddenly my hand flew up.
I slapped him.
The sound was loud and sharp.
The world seemed to pause.
I was shocked by it, frozen where I stood, my palm burning from the impact.
He turned slowly, his head angling back toward me. The air between us shifted—heavy, dangerous. He was furious.
"I ...I am so sorry, I didn't mean to." I moved backward almost stepping on one of the bodies.
My heel brushed against something soft and horrifying beneath my foot. I gasped, stumbling back, my breath uneven. My eyes locked on his face—and that's when I saw it.
Blood.
It dripped down from his cheek in slow, steady lines.
I'm doomed.
The thought rang loud in my head, louder than my breathing.
You know that popular song, dumb ways to die, dumb ways to die. Yes I just did that.
Then his hands were on my neck. Fast and hard. My back slammed against the car as he pinned me there. His fingers tightened, cutting off my breath. Pain exploded in my throat, my lungs screaming as air refused to come.
It felt like I was dying. I stared into his eyes—they were cold. Empty, like death itself staring back at me.
I clawed at his wrists, my nails digging in uselessly. My mouth opened, but no sound came out. My vision blurred as panic swallowed me whole.
"How dare you raise your hands at me.?" He said with a smirk. He looked so crazy.
The sound of my own choking filled my ears. I coughed, struggling for my life.When I kicked his balls he was never this aggressive so what happened.
My body shook violently as I fought him, every movement weak and desperate. Just when I felt myself giving in, when darkness started creeping in, I noticed his eyes change.
The fiery rage faded, replaced by something calm, soft. Almost… lost. Like it wasn't him.
His hands suddenly loosened and he let me go.
I hit the ground with a loud thud, pain shooting through my body. I curled into myself, holding my neck, coughing hard as air rushed painfully back into my lungs.
He stumbled back, staring at his own hands like they didn't belong to him. They were shaking. His whole body was shaking.
Like he didn't mean to do it.
He moved toward me slowly, his steps hesitant, uncertain. He reached out.
"Are you hurt?" He asked.
"Don't touch me, stay away from me. You murderer." I screamed at him in fear.
My voice cracked, broken. My whole body trembled as I pushed myself backward, away from him, my eyes never leaving his face.
At that moment, I feared him for the first time.
Not just fear, terror.
I just signed my death warrant or what do they even call it.
He stopped moving. Without another word, he turned and walked back to his car.
"Take her to the hospital, make sure she gets the wound treated." He said to one of his men and walked into the car.
The engine roared to life. He drove away. Just like that.
Leaving me alone on the street—surrounded by blood, silence, and fear.
What an asshole he is.
******
I got admitted into the hospital even though I begged them to let me go and told them I was fine. My throat hurt, my body ached, but they wouldn't listen.
They said Mr Blah blah blah pumpkin head will murder them.
Funny, right?
Now I was stuck on a hospital bed, staring at white walls, waiting for them to finally release me. Then I heard a familiar voice from afar.
Raisem.
He was speaking to his men outside the ward. My chest tightened.
I wasn't ready to face him. Not now. Not after what he did.
I swallowed hard and pretended like I was asleep.
The door opened quietly. His presence filled the room even before I felt it. I felt the bed dip slightly as he dropped something beside me.
A scent reached my nose.
Fresh flowers.
Did he bring me flower, oh boy that was not romantic and that won't make me forgive you for killing and hurting me.
His footsteps retreated. The door closed.
Then it opened again. It was Austin.
"Won't you stay with her for a while?" Austin asked.
"I have things to do?" He replied firmly.
They thought I was asleep.
"What's wrong? Why did you get so aggressive all of sudden is it because of the issue." Austin asked in concern.
"I don't know what's wrong? I didn't mean to lay my hands on her " he said remorsefully.
"Don't blame yourself too much, it happens and it because of the issue you're going through." Austin said.
My heart skipped.
What issue could make him that aggressive?
"Still not an excuse to lay my hands on her. I know I made her sign that contract and I really want to cherish her after all she will be the mother my child but now it's like I ruined that and she's so scared of me, the look in her eyes tells it all. " Raisem said.
My chest tightened painfully.
"What are you going to do? There is not much time left whatever you want to do, make a decision now." Austin said touching his shoulders lightly.
"I told you to get artificial insemination done but no you just want to get into some innocent girl panties." Austin said laughing.
"Dude." Raisem felt disgusted.
That's gross, Dr Austin.
"So what do you want to do?" Austin asked.
"I'm sure she would talk about terminating the contract anyways." Raisem said and Austin watch beeped.
"I have a surgery now, at least stay with her for a while before you leave." Austin said before he walked out of the ward.
I heard Raisem breathe heavily before sitting on the chair beside me. Silence filled the room.
He didn't say a word.
Was he worried I would terminate the contract? Why did he want a child so badly?
What was the issue they kept talking about?
My mind spun with unanswered questions.
I didn't even notice when he left until the door slammed shut.
Did he just leave me alone? I thought he would stay. Guess I was wrong. I don't think this guy is worth it.
Since he was gone, I stopped pretending. I needed air. I needed space.
I slipped off the bed and made my way to the rooftop.
The cool breeze hit my face, calming me slightly. Then I saw him. Standing by the railing. I froze.
I wasn't expecting to see him.
I turned to run but he turned at the same time and our eyes met.
I stepped back instinctively, fear gripping me.
Then I heard his voice, soft and gentle.
"Ara."
I stopped. He walked toward me slowly.
"Are you hurt? Is anything wrong?" He said.
I searched his eyes, looking for lies but all I saw was sincerity.
"Do you really care?" I asked.
"Yes." He whispered.
"And why am I not getting apology only artificial flowers." I didn't break the eye contact.
"Those are natural flowers." He said causally.
"Who cares?" I screamed at him.
"I'm not so good at apologies Ara, I've never done that , I don't know how to do it. But if I have caused you any pain I didn't mean to." Raisem said running his hands through his hair.
"It's not about the pain, you killed people right in front of me. How do you expect me to survive that?" I said with tears welling up my eyes.
"I didn't kill them , it was just a test, so I could test your level humanity." Raisem said.
My blood boiled. This man is insane. That was a test again. I've had enough.
"Oh, give me a break . Am I still not worth of carrying an heir to Mavo groups? What do you see me as? If you don't want me then let me know instead of coming up with silly things you call test." I raised my voice but he stood still.
It's tiring."