Chapter 74

Chapter 74
The room was silent except for the faint hum of the air conditioner. Adrik dropped his coat on the couch without a word and began unbuttoning his shirt, each movement calm but precise, like he'd done it a thousand times before.

"Pick something for me to wear," he said, his tone low but firm — not a request, a command.

I stood frozen near the dresser, my hands trembling slightly.

He turned toward me, his dark eyes narrowing. "Joy."

My name came out like a warning and a reminder all at once. I nodded quickly and went to the wardrobe. It was filled with his things — neat, expensive, organized exactly the way he liked. It was strange, seeing it all again, like nothing had changed, like the months I spent running meant nothing.

Behind me, I could hear the sound of water running from the bathroom. The faint echo of him moving, the clink of metal against tile.

I took out a black shirt, the one I remembered he liked to wear when he traveled. The fabric felt smooth between my fingers. I hesitated, tracing the buttons, remembering the nights he'd wear it — and how he'd look at me while doing so.

"Still thinking too much," his voice came from behind me.

I flinched and turned. He stood at the bathroom door, shirtless, steam rising faintly behind him. His skin glistened slightly, and his damp hair clung to his forehead.

"I told you to pick something," he said, walking closer. His tone wasn't angry, but it wasn't soft either — it was the kind of calm that made my chest tighten.

"I did," I managed to say, holding the shirt out to him.

He took it, brushing my hand lightly in the process — the touch brief but enough to send a wave of heat and confusion through me.

"Good girl," he murmured, folding the shirt over his arm. "At least you still remember what I like."

He walked past me again, but before he disappeared into the bathroom, he stopped. "And Joy..."

I looked up.

"Don't touch the phone or the door."

He didn't raise his voice. He didn't need to. The threat was quiet, almost gentle, and that made it worse.

He disappeared into the steam, leaving me alone with the faint sound of running water and the suffocating weight of his presence still clinging to the air.

I stood still by the bed, watching Adrik button his black shirt. The silence pressed on my chest like a weight. I wanted to ask him again, but I already knew what silence from him meant.

"Where's Grandma?" I finally asked, my voice barely holding steady.

He didn't even look at me. Just adjusted his cufflinks and stared into the mirror, his reflection cold, distant, untouchable.

"Adrik," I said again, more desperate this time. "Where is she?"

Nothing. Not a word. The quiet felt louder than any scream.

Then — a soft knock.

Adrik turned slightly toward the door. "Come in."

A maid stepped inside, head lowered. In her hands was a small bundle of white fur that made my heart lurch. Elsa.

The sight of her broke me. I didn't wait for permission; I ran to the maid and took my rabbit into my arms, clutching her close. Her tiny body trembled, and I could feel her heartbeat against my chest.

"Thank God," I whispered shakily, tears threatening to fall. "You're okay, baby... you're okay..."

I didn't notice Adrik move until I heard his footsteps behind me.

"Do you know why you have her back?" he asked, his voice quiet — too quiet.

I turned, still holding Elsa tight. "Because she's mine," I said softly.

He tilted his head, that cold smirk curving on his lips. "No," he said. "Because I allowed it."

The words made my stomach twist.

"Everything you want comes with a price, Joy. You should know that by now."

I shook my head slowly. "What are you talking about?"

He took a step closer. My back hit the edge of the dresser, and my breath caught. His eyes locked on mine — unreadable, but heavy with something dark.

"If you want something from me," he said, "you give something in return."

My throat tightened. "And what do you want?"

He reached out and brushed a strand of hair from my face, his touch light but chilling. "A kiss," he said simply. "In exchange for your precious Elsa."

For a second, I couldn't breathe. "Adrik..."

He smiled faintly, leaning closer, his voice dropping to a whisper that crawled down my spine. "Do it willingly, or I'll take it anyway."

My pulse hammered so hard I could hear it. My fingers trembled against Elsa's fur. He was watching me, waiting — calm, patient, like he already knew how this would end.

So I did the only thing I could. I leaned forward.

His lips met mine, and the world fell silent. It wasn't gentle — it was deep, consuming, the kind of kiss that steals air from your lungs and reason from your mind. I could feel the weight of it, the power in it, the reminder that no matter how far I ran, he would always find a way to make me come back.

When he finally pulled away, I was shaking, my lips still tingling, my chest tight.

He looked at me, his expression unreadable. "That's better," he murmured. "You always know how to bargain."

Then he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there with Elsa trembling in my arms — and me, wondering what part of myself I'd just lost to get her back.

Adrik was already halfway to the door when he paused. His hand rested on the handle, the faintest trace of steam still clinging to him from his shower. He didn't look back right away, just stood there in silence for a moment, as if thinking about something.

Then, without turning, he said in that calm, low voice of his, "Get ready. Dinner by seven."

I swallowed hard, still holding Elsa close to my chest.

He finally turned his head slightly, just enough for me to see the sharp outline of his jaw under the dim light. His gaze met mine for a heartbeat.

"Don't step out," he added softly, though there was no kindness in it. "I'll come get you."

And then he left.

The door closed with a quiet click, but it felt like a cell locking shut. I stood there for what felt like forever, unable to move. Elsa shifted weakly in my arms, pressing her little nose against my palm, and I realized how cold my fingers were.

Dinner by seven.

His words replayed in my head like a warning. He didn't say "join me." He said, I'll come get you.

And I knew exactly what that meant — I wasn't free to go anywhere, not even now.

I sank down on the edge of the bed, clutching Elsa tighter, trying to steady my breathing. The quiet of the room felt wrong, heavy, as if even the walls were listening.

I was back where I started. But this time, it felt worse — because now, I knew exactly what kind of man he was. 

My mind drifted back to Eli. His laugh.

Tears slipped down my cheeks before I could stop them. They fell silently, one after another, soaking into Elsa's fur. She shifted slightly, as if sensing my pain, her little heartbeat thudding softly against my palm.

I stroked her head, whispering through the ache in my throat. "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have come back. I shouldn't have let him find me."

My voice broke, and for a long time, I just sat there, crying quietly into the silence.

The world outside the window had turned dark, the faint hum of the jet engines still echoing in my head even though we'd landed hours ago. Everything felt like it was spinning slowly, pulling me deeper into a place I couldn't escape.

I curled up on the bed, clutching Elsa close. My eyelids felt heavy, weighed down by exhaustion and fear. The faint scent of Adrik's cologne lingered in the air, sharp and haunting, like a reminder that he was still near — even when he wasn't.

My breathing slowed. The room blurred at the edges.

And somewhere between grief and dread, I drifted into sleep — tears still wet on my cheeks, Elsa still trembling faintly in my arms.