Chapter 5

Selena woke up to sunlight streaming through the iron-barred window of her room. She had barely slept. Her mind had been restless, filled with thoughts of escape, frustration, and Adrian’s unnerving presence. Her hands clenched into fists as she sat up in the oversized bed, its soft sheets offering little comfort.  

Today, she decided, she would learn more about this mansion. If she was going to escape, she needed to know its layout and weaknesses. Adrian couldn’t keep her caged forever, no matter how smug he seemed.  

After a quick breakfast delivered by a silent guard, Selena began to explore under the guise of compliance. She acted like she had accepted her situation, letting her movements appear curious instead of desperate. The guard stationed outside her door didn’t follow her too closely, giving her a small measure of freedom. She wandered the wide hallways, taking in the opulent decor: tall mirrors, rich tapestries, and intricate carvings on the wooden panels.  

But Selena wasn’t admiring the beauty of her surroundings. She was counting doors, studying windows, and memorizing turns. Her sharp eyes noted where the cameras were positioned and how the guards patrolled. Every detail mattered.  

She stopped in front of a grand staircase leading down to the lower levels. Voices floated up from below, low and serious. Selena’s heart raced as she recognized Adrian’s voice, calm yet commanding. She couldn’t make out the words at first, but her curiosity pushed her forward. She crouched behind a large vase at the top of the stairs, straining to hear.  

“…Dmitri won’t wait forever,” Adrian said, his tone clipped. “He’s been asking questions.”  

Another man responded, his voice deeper and rougher. “And you think bringing her here will stop him? He’s not the type to back down.”  

Selena’s breath caught. They were talking about her. She pressed closer to the railing, her pulse pounding in her ears.  

“I don’t care what Dmitri wants,” Adrian said firmly. “She’s under my protection now. He won’t touch her.”  

The other man laughed, a short, humorless sound. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Adrian. Dmitri’s interest in her isn’t just business. You know what he’s capable of.”  

Selena’s stomach twisted. Who was Dmitri, and why was he interested in her? She didn’t know much about Adrian’s world, but it was clear this Dmitri was someone to fear.  

Adrian’s voice grew colder. “Let him try. If he steps out of line, I’ll handle him.”  

The conversation shifted to other topics, but Selena couldn’t focus. She slipped away from the stairs, her mind reeling. It wasn’t just Adrian she had to worry about now. Dmitri was a new and terrifying unknown, and she had no idea how to deal with it.  

---

As the day went on, Selena tried to shake the unease that Adrian’s conversation had left her with. She returned to her room, pretending to be tired, but her thoughts wouldn’t settle. She couldn’t help but wonder why Adrian had brought her here if she was in danger from someone like Dmitri. Was he protecting her, or was this all part of his twisted plan?  

Her door opened suddenly, and Adrian stepped inside, his dark eyes scanning the room. Selena tensed, her fingers gripping the armrest of a chair.  

“Comfortable?” he asked, his tone casual but his gaze sharp.  

She forced a neutral expression. “As comfortable as I can be in a cage.”  

Adrian smirked, leaning against the doorframe. “You’ve been exploring today. Did you enjoy yourself?”  

Selena’s stomach flipped. Had he been watching her? She kept her voice steady. “I was just looking around. It’s not like I have much else to do.”  

“Good,” Adrian said, surprising her. “I want you to feel… at home.”  

The way he said it made Selena’s skin crawl. There was something calculated about his words, as though he was testing her reactions. She refused to give him the satisfaction of a response.  

Adrian stepped closer, his presence commanding as always. “You know, Selena, pretending to cooperate might work on my guards, but not on me. I see through you.”  

Her heart skipped a beat, but she held his gaze. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”  

“Don’t you?” Adrian’s voice softened, almost gentle. “You’re planning something. I can see it in your eyes. But let me remind you—there’s nothing outside these walls for you but danger. Dmitri is watching, and if you think I’m harsh, you haven’t met him.”  

Selena’s defiance faltered for a moment. She wanted to snap back, to tell him he had no right to control her, but his words struck a nerve.  

“Why should I believe anything you say?” she demanded.  

Adrian’s expression darkened, and for a moment, she saw something raw beneath his composed facade. “Because I’m the only one keeping you alive,” he said quietly.  

The weight of his words hung between them, and Selena hated the flicker of doubt that crept into her mind.  

---

That evening, Adrian surprised her by inviting her to dinner. Or rather, ordering her to join him.  

The dining room was intimate, with a single table set for two. Candles flickered, casting warm light over the dark wood and polished silver. Selena felt like she was walking into a trap, but she kept her head high.  

Adrian pulled out a chair for her, his politeness almost mocking. “Sit.”  

She hesitated before lowering herself into the seat. “What’s this about?”  

“Can’t I enjoy a meal with my guest?” he replied smoothly, taking the seat across from her.  

Selena didn’t respond, focusing instead on the plate of food in front of her. But as the meal went on, the tension between them grew. Adrian’s questions were pointed, his tone shifting between teasing and serious.  

“Do you really think you can survive out there alone?” he asked at one point, his gaze piercing.  

“I’ve survived worse,” Selena shot back.  

“Have you?” Adrian leaned closer, his voice low. “Because I don’t think you understand what you’re up against.”  

Selena pushed her plate aside, her appetite gone. “If you’re trying to scare me, it won’t work.”  

Adrian smiled faintly, but there was no humor in it. “I don’t need to scare you, Selena. I just need you to see the truth. Run again, and you won’t like what happens next.”  

His words sent a chill through her, but she refused to let him see her fear.  

“Is that a threat?” she asked, her voice steady.  

“It’s a promise,” Adrian said simply.  

The dinner ended with his warning echoing in her mind. As Selena returned to her room, she realized that escaping Adrian might be more dangerous than staying with him. But that didn’t mean she’d stop fighting.  

She just had to be smarter about it.