Her heart pounded violently, the sound echoing in her ears. Her body felt weak, but her feet were frozen in place, unable to move. This wasn't real. It couldn't be.

But the vibration of her phone in her trembling hands confirmed the cold, brutal reality.

Adrian: Open the door, Nadine. Don't make me wait.

Her fingers tightened around the phone as if the small device could shield her from the man outside.

Adrian couldn't be here. He was supposed to be locked away, far from her reach, unable to touch her again.

Yet, he was here.

A faint chuckle reached her ears through the glass. Adrian's lips curled into that familiar smirk-the one that always meant he was in control. The one that sent chills down her spine.

Cold fear spread through her veins.

How? How was this possible?

Her mind raced, searching for every warning sign she had ignored. Lucas had said they were still looking for solid proof. Everyone assumed Adrian was still behind bars.

They were all wrong.

Adrian had never truly been confined.

This was all part of his game.

And now, he was here to claim what he believed was his-Nadine.

Her throat tightened. She had to do something.

Her fingers trembled as she typed a reply.

Nadine: What do you want, Adrian?

Two seconds later, her phone buzzed again.

Adrian: I don't like repeating myself, Nadine.

Outside, he tilted his head slightly, watching her with amusement.

Damn it.

Before she could react, the bedroom door suddenly swung open.

Lucas.

His eyes darted between Nadine's frozen form and the window. The moment he saw Adrian standing there, his entire body went rigid.

And in that instant, the world stopped spinning.

2. LUCAS – PROTECT OR DESTROY?

Rage burned in Lucas's veins the second he laid eyes on Adrian Callway.

No longer imprisoned. No longer hidden.

And worse-standing dangerously close to Nadine.

Damn it.

Without thinking, Lucas pulled Nadine behind him, shielding her with his body. His eyes were cold, filled with fury and hatred.

"How the hell are you here?" His voice was low, edged with danger.

Adrian simply smiled-a slow, knowing smile. As if he had anticipated this exact moment.

"Lucas," he said smoothly. "Did you really think I'd stay locked away forever?"

Lucas clenched his fists. "You should be in prison."

Adrian shrugged lazily, as if the thought amused him. "Should be? You know better than that, Lucas. There is no place in this world that can hold me."

Lucas wanted to punch him. Right there.

But anger wouldn't win against Adrian. He had to be smart.

Swiftly, he pulled out his phone, ready to call someone-anyone who could help.

But before he could press the dial button, Adrian lifted a single finger.

"Don't do that, Lucas," he said casually. "Or you'll regret it."

Lucas stiffened. "What the hell do you mean?"

Adrian smirked, his gaze flickering toward Nadine, who was trembling behind Lucas.

"I'm simply taking back what's mine," he said with eerie calmness.

Lucas stood his ground, tension radiating from his entire being. "Nadine is not yours."

Adrian chuckled softly, his expression unreadable.

"You think you can protect her?"

Lucas didn't answer.

But before he could react, a sudden knock echoed from the front door.

Lucas turned sharply, his instincts on high alert.

And then a voice called from the other side.

Queen Dior.

"Nadine? Lucas? I'm outside."

Lucas's eyes darted to Nadine, confusion flashing across his face. "Did you tell her to come?"

Nadine shook her head rapidly. "No way."

Lucas moved cautiously toward the door. But before he could reach it...

His phone vibrated.

An unknown number.

"Open the door, Lucas. Or you'll regret it."

A wave of cold dread washed over him.

This was a trap.

And they were already too late to escape.

3. QUEEN DIOR – FRIEND OR BETRAYER?

From the other side of the door, Queen Dior bit her lip.

Her hands trembled slightly as she knocked again.

She knew Nadine and Lucas were inside.

But she also knew Adrian was outside.

Her heart pounded violently, guilt swirling in her chest.

She didn't want Nadine to suffer. She didn't want this betrayal to come to light in the worst way possible.

But she loved Lucas.

And if Adrian truly couldn't be stopped... maybe this was the only way.

Her fingers hesitated over the door handle.

Before she could make a decision, a voice whispered behind her.

Adrian's voice.

"Do it, Queen."

Her breath caught in her throat.

She closed her eyes for a moment, then, with hesitation, she reached for the handle.

In a matter of seconds, everything would change.

Chapter 5 THE INEVITABLE CONFRONTATION

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