Chapter 8 AN ESCAPE NOT YET OVER

1. NADINE – THE LAST HOPE

Darkness. Silence. Cold.

Nadine sat in the corner of a familiar room-Adrian's bedroom.

Even though her body ached and bruises covered her skin from her previous struggle, her mind kept working, searching for a way out.

She had to escape.

It didn't matter how closely Adrian watched her. It didn't matter how many guards he stationed at every corner of the house.

She wouldn't give up.

But escaping Adrian was no easy feat.

He had everything-money, power, influence, and even the patience to wait until Nadine completely surrendered.

No.

Nadine wouldn't let that happen.

She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.

The door was locked, the windows had security sensors, and cameras monitored every inch of this house.

But... no system was perfect.

She only needed one opening.

One mistake.

One chance.

Then, a knock on the door.

"Nadine?"

Queen Dior's voice.

Nadine opened her eyes.

When the door swung open, her best friend stood there with an expression of guilt and hesitation.

Queen stepped inside and shut the door behind her.

"Adrian is outside," she whispered. "I don't have much time."

Nadine eyed her warily.

"Why are you here?"

Queen swallowed hard, clenching her fingers together.

"I want to make things right."

Nadine remained silent, waiting.

"I can't let you stay trapped here. I'm going to help you escape," Queen continued, her voice trembling.

Nadine held her breath.

Was this a trap?

Or did Queen truly regret everything?

"Please, trust me, Nadine," Queen whispered. "I don't want to lose my best friend."

Nadine was still unsure.

But... what choice did she have?

Trust and take the risk? Or stay and surrender to Adrian?

She chose trust.

"What's the plan?" she whispered.

Queen took a deep breath before answering.

"We only have one shot."

2. THE ESCAPE PLAN

That night, the air outside was cold and sharp.

Nadine stood before the wardrobe, dressed in dark clothing as Queen had instructed.

"When I go out, count to ten, then follow me into the hallway," Queen said. "I'll create a distraction."

Nadine nodded, her heart pounding.

Queen opened the door and slipped out.

One...

Two...

Three...

Nadine held her breath.

Outside, she heard Queen talking to one of the guards.

Four...

Five...

Six...

Nadine heard footsteps moving away.

Seven...

Eight...

Nine...

Ten.

She slipped out of the bedroom, moving as quietly as possible.

The hallway was dark, but her eyes had already adjusted.

Queen had successfully distracted the guard.

This was her chance!

She hurried toward the back door.

Her hands trembled as she tried to unlock it.

CLICK.

The door opened.

But just as she stepped outside-

"Not so fast, Nadine."

That cold voice froze her blood.

She turned, her body trembling.

Standing in the doorway, Adrian watched her with eyes filled with darkness.

3. A SHOWDOWN IN THE NIGHT

"A-Adrian..." Nadine's voice barely came out.

She stared at him in fear while her mind frantically searched for a way to escape.

Adrian took a slow step forward, his gaze sharp as a blade.

"Have I not made myself clear?" he asked, voice dangerously low.

Nadine took a step back.

But before Adrian could grab her-

A loud voice echoed through the air.

"LET HER GO!"

Lucas.

From the shadows, Lucas emerged with several armed men.

Adrian froze.

His eyes flashed with untamed rage.

Lucas moved forward, positioning himself between Adrian and Nadine.

"You've hurt her enough, Adrian. Let her go," Lucas said, his tone firm and defiant.

Adrian glared at Lucas with pure hatred.

"She's mine," he hissed. "You think I'll just let you take her?"

Lucas clenched his fists. "She's not yours, Adrian."

Tension filled the air, thick and suffocating.

Adrian smirked darkly.

"You think I'll surrender that easily?" he asked, his voice laced with danger.

Lucas didn't answer, but his sharp gaze said it all.

Then-

"FIRE!"

Lucas gave the signal, and in an instant, gunshots filled the night.

Nadine screamed, ducking behind a car.

Chaos erupted.

Adrian dodged the bullets with inhuman agility, pulling a gun from his jacket.

But before he could fire-

Lucas lunged at him.

The two men crashed onto the ground, fists flying.

Nadine watched in horror, her breath caught in her throat.

Lucas fought hard, but Adrian was stronger.

The ruthless man punched Lucas mercilessly.

Blood trickled from the corner of Lucas's lips, but he refused to back down.

Yet Adrian was too fast.

In one swift move, he pressed a gun against Lucas's head.

Nadine's heart stopped.

Queen Dior screamed, "DON'T, ADRIAN!"

But Adrian didn't care.

His finger tightened on the trigger-

BANG!

Lucas collapsed.

Nadine screamed.

"NOOO!"

She tried to run to him, but Queen grabbed her.

"WE HAVE TO GO!"

Nadine sobbed, but Queen dragged her away.

Lucas's car was still running.

Without hesitation, Queen shoved Nadine inside and jumped into the driver's seat.

The engine roared.

The car sped down the dark road, leaving Adrian behind.

Through the rearview mirror, Nadine saw him standing in the middle of the street.

His eyes burned with fury and obsession.

He would never let this end.

And Nadine knew...

This wasn't over.