trapped.

The hospital smelled like antiseptic and something faintly metallic, a scent that clung to the walls, the sheets, even her skin. The air-conditioning hummed softly, the fluorescent lights casting a dull glow over the stark white walls. Nirvana had been here for two days. Two long, suffocating days.

RAyNe hadn’t visited. He hadn’t called. Not once.

But that didn’t mean he wasn’t watching.

The men stationed outside her door weren’t just there to protect her. They were there to report back. To make sure she wasn’t doing anything he wouldn’t approve of.

The door creaked open.

Luna stepped inside, carrying a neatly packed tray. She walked with quiet efficiency, placing the food on the small bedside table without a word. She was dressed in a modest black dress, her hair neatly pinned back..always proper, always composed.

Nirvana watched her for a moment before sighing. “Did he send you?”

Luna nodded. “Sir instructed me to make sure you eat.”

Nirvana scoffed, picking at the food with little interest. “So, he remembers I exist.”

Luna’s expression remained neutral. “He has been occupied.”

“Right.” Nirvana stabbed at a piece of bread. “And you? Why do you work for him?”

Luna hesitated. “My family owes him a debt.”

Nirvana raised a brow.

“He allowed me to work in his household to repay it.” Luna’s voice was steady, respectful. “He provides for my family. I serve as he expects.”

Nirvana studied her. There was no resentment in her tone, no anger. Just quiet acceptance.

“You’re not scared of him.”

Luna kept her hands clasped in front of her. “Sir is not someone to fear if you do as you're told.”

Nirvana scoffed but didn’t push.

Before she could say anything else, the door opened again.

A tall figure stepped inside, his dark eyes scanning the room.

Nirvana’s breath caught.

Prince Zayd.

His face was set in a deep frown, concern flickering in his eyes as he strode toward her bed. “Nirvana.”

Her fingers curled into the sheets. “What are you doing here?”

“I heard you were in the hospital.” His voice was firm, but there was something softer beneath it. “Are you all right?”

Her pulse kicked up. “How did you find me?”

Zayd exhaled. “That doesn’t matter.”

“It does matter.” She glanced at the door, anxiety curling in her stomach. “You shouldn’t be here.”

He folded his arms. “Why not?”

She didn’t answer.

He sighed. “If he has a problem with it, he can take a swing at me. I can handle his punches.”

A laugh slipped out of her before she could stop it. A real laugh. The sound startled her.

Zayd’s face softened, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Luna, standing silently to the side, took in the exchange with quiet observation.

“You’re too nice,” Nirvana muttered. “For a prince, I mean.”

Zayd smirked. “And you’re too stubborn for someone who just got out of death's grip..”

She sighed. “I’m sorry. About the auction.”

“You don’t have to apologize.”

His phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, lips pressing into a thin line. “Give me a second.”

Nirvana nodded as he stepped out.

The door opened again, and a man in a black suit entered. One of his men. Expression blank, eyes cold.

“Boss wants to speak with you.”

A weight settled in her chest.

Of course, he did.

The phone was placed in her palm. Slowly, she brought it to her ear.

“What?”

RAyNe’s voice came through, sharp and lethal. “Why the fuck is he there?”

Nirvana’s grip tightened. “He came to check on me.”

Silence. A dangerous, lingering silence.

“You need to tell him to leave.”

She gritted her teeth. “We’re not doing anything wrong.”

“You think that matters?” His voice was calm…too calm. “You saw what I did to him at the auction.”

Her stomach twisted. “Yeah. And I saw what you did to the art he brought me too. You’re fucking crazy.”

A low chuckle. Dark. Sinister.

“You have no idea.”

She clenched her jaw. “You’re sick in the head.”

“And yet, you’re still mine.”

Her fingers tightened around the phone before she snapped it shut.

She exhaled, heart hammering.

When she looked up, the man in the suit was still there.

Watching.

She wasn’t just protected here.

She was being monitored.

"You looked like hell, Nirvana."

That voice. That fucking voice.

Her blood ran cold before she even looked up.

Adrian.

The bastard strolled in like he owned the place, a smirk playing on his lips, dressed in one of his tailored suits like he had just stepped out of a goddamn boardroom. His cologne…once something she loved…now made her stomach churn.

She gripped the sheets tightly, glaring. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

He chuckled, dragging a chair closer, sitting like he had all the time in the world. "Came to check on my darling ex-fiancée. Thought I'd see how my little gift to RAyNe is holding up."

Her stomach twisted. "Go to hell."

"Already there, sweetheart," he leaned forward, his voice dropping. "But I thought you should know…your father? He's rotting. And I’ll make sure he keeps rotting."

Her nails dug into her palms. "You…"

"Oh, come on, Nirvana," he cut her off, his smirk widening. "Did you really think I was going to let him off easy? That I'd just sit back while your dear old daddy ruined everything?"

"You ruined everything," she spat. "You destroyed my life. You…"

Adrian leaned in, his face inches from hers. "No, darling. I improved it."

Fury burned in her veins. Without thinking, she lifted her hand and slapped him across the face, the sharp crack echoing in the room.

His head snapped to the side, but when he turned back to her, his expression darkened. Then, before she could react, his hand came down hard across her cheek.

Pain exploded through her face as she gasped.

"You little bitch," he seethed.

She barely had time to recover before he shoved her back against the hospital bed, pinning her down with his weight.

"You know," he growled, his breath hot against her face, "I should have taken this silly little virginity of yours when I had the chance."

Nirvana thrashed against him. "Let me go, you bastard! You don’t deserve it!"

"I don’t?" He laughed darkly, pressing his knee between her legs. "Oh, who does? St. Trinity?"

"Fuck you!" she cried, struggling harder, her heart pounding in terror.

"You know he's no different from me," Adrian sneered. "He's even worse."

"He's a million times the man you could never and would never be," she shot back, her voice shaking with rage.

That set him off. His grip tightened, and without warning, he punched her in the stomach. The impact sent a sharp, searing pain through her body, knocking the breath out of her.

Before he could do anything more, the door burst open.

RAyNe’s men stormed in.

They grabbed Adrian, dragging him off her. He fought, cursing, but they didn’t hesitate…they slammed him into the wall, their fists landing hard, brutal. Blood splattered.

Nirvana curled up on the bed, clutching her stomach, tears slipping down her face as she gasped for air.

She needed to see her father.

But she couldn’t leave.

RAyNe’s men wouldn’t let her.

And she had never felt more trapped.