Chapter 4

After a while, Yara sat on the edge of the bed. She looked at the door, feeling her chest tighten in the prison-like room. Her breathing was labored.

"I need to get out of here," she whispered softly, gripping the blanket tightly that was still wrapped around her body.

Her eyes moved around the room, looking for something that could help her. On the table, she spotted the empty glass and plate from the meal Damian had brought earlier. If she could break the glass, maybe she could use it as a weapon.

However, Yara knew it was risky. Damian would definitely hear the sound of the broken glass. Finally, she decided to try another way. Slowly, Yara crawled to the door, opened it slightly, and peeked out. The corridor was deserted, lit only by the faint glow of the chandelier on the ceiling.

"It's now or never," she muttered, gathering courage.

She stepped slowly, trying not to let her feet make a sound. Her heartbeat was like a drum in her ears.

However, just a few steps out of the room, the sound of loud footsteps could be heard approaching. Yara's body froze, and before she could run, Damian's hand was already pulling her roughly.

"Where are you going?" Damian asked. His eyes were piercing and full of anger.

"Let me go! I don't want to be here! You have no right to keep me!" Yara struggled, trying to break free from Damian's grip.

Damian pulled Yara closer to his body, hugging her so tightly that she couldn't move. "You think you can escape? You think I'll just let you go?"

"I'm not your prisoner! You can't treat me like this!" yelled Yara, her voice starting to crack.

Damian sighed, but this time his expression wasn't as harsh as usual. There was exhaustion on his face. "I don't want you to run away, Yara. Not because I want to hurt you, but because I can't let you go."

"Liar!" Yara beat her chest weakly, her tears starting to flow again.

Damian paused, his gaze turning cold. He lifted Yara's body easily, like carrying a doll, and carried her back to the room. Once there, he placed Yara on the bed forcefully.

"I don't have a choice," he said softly, but his tone was threatening. Damian went to a small cupboard in the corner of the room and retrieved a small chain and handcuffs.

Yara's eyes widened. "No! Don't! You can't do this!" she cried, trying to get up, but Damian held her back easily.

With quick movements, Damian placed the cuffs around Yara's wrists and then tied one end of the chain to the foot of the bed. "I have to do this, Yara. I can't let you run away anymore."

"You've gone too far!" Yara cried, her body trembling violently.

Damian looked at Yara with a cold gaze, but there was a hint of guilt in his eyes. "I did this to keep you here."

Yara laughed bitterly between her sobs. "What am I here for, huh? You forced me to stay here and then tied me up like a dog! Do you know how horrible you are?"

Damian didn't answer. He just stood there, staring at Yara, who was crying helplessly. After a while, he bent down slightly, placing his hand on Yara's cheek.

"You can hate me, Yara. I don't care. But I won't let you go," he said softly. "You're mine, Yara! Mine!"

Yara brushed his hand away roughly, her eyes red with hatred. "I swear, if I ever get out of this place, I will never forgive you."

Damian just sighed. He walked away, leaving Yara alone in the room. But before exiting, he turned around and said, "You may hate me now, but one day, you'll understand why I did this."

The door closed, leaving Yara in stunned silence. She grasped the cuffs around her wrists, trying to pull desperately on the chain, but it didn't budge.

"I have to get out of here," she whispered in a trembling voice. "I have to get out of here somehow!"

Outside the room, Damian leaned against the wall. Hugo's words came back to haunt his mind: "Your actions will only make her hate you more."

"I know," Damian muttered softly. "But I don't know any other way. That girl is really stubborn."