Trigger Warning: This chapter contains themes of coercion, emotional manipulation, and possessive behavior. It includes scenes of force, distress, and psychological torment that may be unsettling for some readers. Reader discretion is advised.

She sat in the collage park, completely lost in thought. No matter how hard she tried to push it away, her mind kept circling back to last night-when he was in her room.

Flashback

"I'm going to take my hand off," he whispered, his breath warm against her skin. "Don't you dare scream."

The imprint of his palm lingered on her lips, a ghost of his touch. "Do you understand?"

She didn't answer.

His grip tightened, fingers pressing firmly. "I asked you something, Sofi."

Her breath hitched. Fear coiled around her ribs like a vice, but she forced herself to nod.

"Good girl."

Slowly, his hand slipped away, but the air between them remained thick, suffocating.

She could barely see him in the darkness, but the faint glint of a mask caught her eye. His voice was muffled, distorted.

"Are you scared?" he asked, his fingers trailing slowly along her cheek.

She stayed silent.

"I asked you something," he repeated, his voice quieter, more dangerous.

Her lips trembled. "What are you doing here?"

"You told me to come to you in the morning, didn't you?" he said.

A shiver ran down her spine. She squeezed her eyes shut. She had said that.

"Regretting it now?" he murmured.

She shifted, trying to get up, but he moved faster.

"Where are you going, Sofi?" His body loomed over her, trapping her in place.

She turned her face away, gripping the sheets tightly.

"What do you want?" she whispered.

"I want you. All of you." His masked face brushed against hers, his breath mingling with her own.

Her body stiffened. Panic clawed at her throat, but she kept her eyes shut tight. If she couldn't see him, maybe he'd disappear.

He inhaled deeply, his chest rising and falling against hers. "Why did you buy that dress?" he asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

"What did you ask?" Sofi's voice was barely a whisper, her body tense with unease.

"Don't you know how inappropriate that was?" he snapped, his piercing gaze locked onto her.

She didn't respond. Her lips parted slightly, but no words escaped.

"I asked you something!" His voice rose, sharp and demanding.

Still, silence.

His patience snapped. With a furious glare, he leaned closer .

"I didn't buy it. Ella bought it for me," she finally spoke, her voice uneven.

"And you couldn't say no?" His tone was mocking .

"I did. She didn't listen," she admitted, her fingers gripping the fabric of her dress as if grounding herself.

He exhaled sharply, stepping back only to bark another order. "Get up."

Sofi hesitated. Her legs trembled as she shifted to sit up slowly, but his patience had already worn thin. He lunged forward, his grip like steel as he grabbed her arm and yanked her off the bed.

She barely caught herself from stumbling. "Go wear that," he commanded coldly.

Her heart pounded. "What?"

His jaw clenched, eyes burning with something cruel. "I said, go wear that," he repeated, shoving her toward the wardrobe.

Her breath hitched. "Why?"

A slow smirk curled on his lips, but there was no amusement in his expression. "It was bought to show off your body. So go ahead-show me."

Her stomach twisted in panic. "No-"

"I said go." His voice was chilling, sending ice through her veins.

Her fingers curled into fists. "I will never wear that!"

His eyes darkened, something dangerous flashing behind them. "Do you think I care? Go wear it, and I'll show you exactly what kind of attention you'll get in it."

Her throat tightened. "I'll throw it away," she whispered, barely audible.

His jaw twitched. "Don't make me repeat myself."

She swallowed, paralyzed under his gaze.

Then, he took a step forward.

The look in his eyes-she had never seen it before. It was pure, unfiltered possession, the kind that made her stomach drop in terror.

"I'm going," she breathed quickly before he could reach her.

He stopped, watching her like a predator assessing its prey.

Her shaky hands pushed open the wardrobe, revealing the shopping bag still untouched. She hadn't even bothered to take it out-because she never intended to wear it.

Her fingers hovered over it.

No.

Her pulse roared in her ears. I won't wear this. I can't.

Before she could think twice, before fear could paralyze her, she spun around and bolted.

"Sofi!" His furious shout thundered behind her.

She didn't stop. Her feet barely touched the ground as she dashed out of the room, heart hammering against her ribs.

She nearly tripped rushing down the stairs, her breath coming in gasps. "Dad! Mom!" she screamed. "Ella!"

No answer.

She ran faster, her only thought reaching her parents' room before he could catch her.

But he was faster.

A strong hand clamped around her wrist, yanking her back so hard she cried out.

Her vision blurred with panic. "Let go!" she pleaded, struggling against his grip.

He didn't budge. His fingers only tightened, bruising, possessive. "Where do you think you're going?" he murmured, his voice terrifyingly calm.

Her breaths came in short, frantic gasps.

His grip didn't just hold her back-it owned her.

"Mom! Dad!" Sofi screamed, still trapped in his grip, her voice breaking with desperation. "Ella!"

Her throat burned from shouting, but no one answered.

A slow, sinister smirk spread across his face. "No one's going to hear you," he murmured, his grip tightening. "I already took care of them."

Her breath hitched. A chilling sensation crawled up her spine.

"What do you mean?" she whispered, her body stiffening. "What did you do to them?"

He tilted his head, amusement flickering in his dark eyes. "Nothing bad," he said smoothly. "Just made sure they won't disturb us."

Sofi's stomach twisted in horror.

She had to get away.

Summoning all her strength, she shoved him hard. He wasn't expecting it-his grip loosened for a second, and that was all she needed.

Her body moved before her mind could catch up. She slipped from his fingers and ran.

"Sofi!" he called after her, but she didn't stop.

She sprinted toward Ella's room, her heart pounding. Throwing open the door, she rushed inside.

Ella was there. Sleeping soundly.

"Ella!" Sofi ran to her, shaking her urgently. "Wake up, please!"

A shadow loomed behind her.

"Here you are," he said, stepping inside.

Sofi's hands trembled as she shook Ella harder. "Ella, please wake up!" she pleaded.

A low chuckle echoed behind her. "And what will she do after waking up?" he taunted. "It's not like she can save you from me."

Sofi's heart pounded painfully. She shook Ella again. "Ella, please!"

Nothing.

Ella didn't even stir.

"Now stop it," he ordered, stepping closer.

Sofi's frantic gaze darted around the room. Her eyes landed on Ella's phone lying beside her.

Without hesitation, she grabbed it and quickly hid it behind her.

She turned to face him, her breath shallow.

A knowing smirk tugged at his lips. "Done? Good. Let's go," he said, moving toward her.

But before he could reach her, she spun around and dashed toward the washroom.

"Sofi!" he growled.

She barely made it inside before slamming the door shut and locking it.

The doorknob rattled violently.

"Open the door!" he roared.

Sofi flinched at the sheer fury in his voice, her whole body trembling.

Her hands shook as she pulled out the phone.

She dialed the number with unsteady fingers.

"Please pick up," she begged, her voice barely a whisper.

The line rang.

She pressed the phone harder against her ear, heart hammering. Please, please, please...

Outside, he was fuming.

Just as he was about to bang on the door again, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He yanked it out, his expression darkening as he read the name flashing on the screen.

Ella.

But he knew exactly who was calling.

A sinister chuckle escaped his lips.

Inside, Sofi was still whispering frantically into the phone.

"Luci, please pick up," she pleaded, tears pooling in her eyes. "Please..."

Silence.

No answer.

Her fingers clenched around the phone, her breath coming in sharp gasps.

And then-

A soft click.

The sound of keys unlocking the door.

No.

Her stomach dropped. No, no, please-

Before she could react, the door swung open.

He stood there, watching her.

The silence was suffocating.

He didn't say a word. He just stared.

And then-

He moved.

Before she could back away, his hand shot out, gripping her wrist harshly. She gasped as pain shot through her arm.

With terrifying ease, he yanked her forward, dragging her out of the washroom.

She struggled, trying to pry his fingers off, but his grip was unrelenting.

They reached the bedroom. With a swift motion, he tore the phone from her hand and flung it onto the bed.

Sofi barely had time to react before he dragged her out again.

Her legs stumbled over themselves as she tried to resist. "Please," she whimpered.

He didn't listen.

He didn't stop.

He wasn't going to stop.

***

He dragged her back to her room, his grip a vice tightening around her wrist. Sofi barely had time to catch her breath before he snatched the shopping bag l and shoved it into her trembling hands.

"Go wear it," he ordered, his voice eerily calm.

Her fingers clutched the bag tightly, her whole body shaking. Tears
her vision as she stared up at him, searching for even a trace of mercy. "Please," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Don't make me do this."

His eyes darkened, his patience wearing dangerously thin. The calm façade cracked.

Without warning, he grabbed her by the arm and dragged her toward the washroom. She stumbled, her feet barely keeping up.

"No-please!" she cried, trying to pull back, but he was too strong.

Before she could resist further, he shoved her inside. She lost her balance, falling to her knees with a sharp gasp.

The bag slipped from her hands, landing on the cold tiled floor with a dull thud.

"Wear it and come out in five minutes," he commanded, standing at the doorway like a dark shadow. "And don't try to be smart by locking yourself in. You know I have the keys."

Sofi pressed herself against the wall, shaking her head furiously. "I won't wear it!" she choked out, her voice thick with fear.

A smirk curled on his lips-slow, taunting, filled with something sinister. He took a step forward, his presence suffocating. "Then I'll come inside and put it on you myself," he warned, his voice dripping with threat.

Sofi's breath hitched.

The door slammed shut in her face.

She flinched, squeezing her eyes shut as her whole body trembled. The sound echoed in her ears like a death sentence.

She slid down onto the floor, her back pressed against the cold wall. Her breath came in short, ragged gasps.

The bag lay beside her, unopened. But she couldn't bring herself to touch it.

Her heart pounded so hard it hurt.

Who was he?

Why was he doing this?

What had she ever done to deserve this?

A sob escaped her lips, her fingers digging into the fabric of her clothes. She felt like a trapped animal, caged with nowhere to run.

Her mind screamed for a way out, but there was none.

And outside, beyond the locked door, he was waiting.

To be continued...

Author's Note: Sorry for the irregular updates! I planned to update daily, but life got in the way. I'll try to resume daily updates next month. This month, I'm focusing on completing my other brother-in-law-based story first.For those waiting, I appreciate your patience! I will be updating at least 1 chapter a week of this story. Also, this story will only get more toxic from here-if that's not your thing, you're free to leave. Don't expect anything good to happen. I might update the next chapter today itself, but can't promise . Thank you