The old iron gates loomed like a monstrous beast under the pale moonlight. Beyond them, freedom. But inside, Ella Lin was a caged bird, her wings clipped by the man who once promised her the world—only to turn it into her prison.
Her heart pounded violently in her chest as she pressed her ear to the heavy oak door.
Silence.
For the first time in two days, Leon Xu wasn't pacing the halls like a lurking predator.
Now was her only chance.
She gripped the small hairpin she'd hidden under her sleeve, hands trembling as she worked at the door's ancient lock. Seconds stretched into agonizing minutes. Every creak of the metal felt like thunder in the dead of night.
Click.
The door swung open.
Without hesitation, she ran.
Barefoot, rain pouring down her face, her silk nightgown clinging to her trembling body. The gravel beneath her feet bit into her skin, but she didn't care.
Just run, Ella. Don't look back.
The wind howled around her, drowning out her ragged breaths.
But then—
"Ella."
A voice so deep, so terrifyingly calm it sliced through the storm.
She froze.
Slowly, she turned her head.
Standing under the wrought-iron arch of the gates, completely drenched, was Leon Xu. His dark hair was plastered to his forehead, his black shirt soaked and clinging to his sculpted frame.
His eyes glowed under the stormy sky—wild, dangerous, and completely unhinged.
"Did you really think…" He took a slow step forward, water splashing under his feet. "You could leave me?"
Ella stumbled back, her feet bleeding, her mind screaming at her to run—but her body was frozen under the weight of his gaze.
"You were supposed to stay by my side forever, Ella. You promised!"
Her voice cracked as she screamed back through the thunder, "I never promised to be your prisoner, Leon! I'm not some possession you can lock away!"
He laughed—a low, broken sound that echoed through the storm.
"You're right," he whispered as he stepped closer, eyes never leaving hers. "You're not my possession… You're my obsession."
Before she could react, he lunged.
Her feet turned, splashing through puddles, legs burning as she ran blindly through the endless maze of the estate gardens.
"You can't run from me, Ella!" His voice boomed over the storm. "No matter where you go, I'll always find you!"
Her chest tightened painfully. Her vision blurred.
Is this… how it ends?
Her knees gave out, collapsing into the muddy ground. Her hands pressed against her belly.
"I… I have to protect my child…" she sobbed.
The next moment, strong arms wrapped around her from behind, lifting her as if she weighed nothing.
"Enough!" Leon growled against her ear, his grip like iron.
"Let me go, Leon! You're insane!"
"I'm insane?!" His voice cracked, filled with raw, agonizing obsession. "Ella, I've been insane since the moment you walked out of my life!"
He pulled her close, forehead resting against hers as rain poured over them both.
"If I can't have you…" his voice trembled dangerously, "then no one will."
🔥 Chapter Ending Hook:
Just as he carried her back toward the looming gates, headlights flashed in the distance.
A convoy of black SUVs approached, tires screeching against the wet pavement.
And from the lead car, a tall figure emerged—face cold, eyes burning with purpose.
"Leon Xu, you've crossed the line. Hand her over."
Ella's blurred vision cleared just enough to see the last person she ever expected.
Damien Xu. Leon's own cousin. His greatest rival. And now… the only man who stood between her and complete ruin.