102.

Faraz watched Taliya sway, her face flushed and her breathing uneven. Without a word, he slid an arm around her waist, steadying her as he led her down the hallway. Her protest was weak, a quiet murmur as she tried to pull away, but he held her firmly, guiding her toward the bathroom.

“Let go… I don’t need your help,” she muttered, voice strained as she tried to shake off his grip.

Ignoring her protests, Faraz opened the door to the bathroom, flicking on the harsh, cold light. He maneuvered her toward the shower, his expression cool and unyielding. “You’re going to thank me for this later,” he said simply, though there was a flicker of amusement in his gaze.

Before she could object, he turned on the shower, sending a cascade of icy water pouring down from the showerhead. He reached out, catching her shoulders and positioning her under the spray, her gasp echoing in the small space as the cold water hit her.

“Are you insane?” she shrieked, trying to pull away as the water drenched her hair, soaking through her clothes and sending a shiver down her spine.

“Trust me, it’s for your own good,” he replied calmly, holding her steady as the water poured over her. “You need to snap out of this. Or do you want to keep stumbling around in that state?”

Her breathing quickened as the cold water worked its way through the drug-induced haze clouding her mind. She blinked rapidly, trying to clear her vision, her teeth chattering as the chill seeped into her bones. “I… hate you,” she murmured, her voice wavering but laced with stubborn defiance.

Faraz’s grip softened, though he didn’t release her. “Good. Maybe that hatred will keep you grounded,” he replied, his tone almost indifferent as he watched her, his gaze intense and unreadable. He loosened his hold, letting her shift as she tried to pull away from the relentless stream of water.

Her arms wrapped around herself, her clothes clinging to her, her breathing still heavy but more controlled as she fought to steady herself. “You think you can just… control everything,” she muttered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the water. “But I’ll never give in to you.”

Faraz’s lips curved into a slight smile, his eyes dark with something unreadable. “We’ll see about that,” he said quietly, stepping back and allowing her a moment of space.

She shivered, wrapping her arms tightly around herself as the cold water continued to pour over her. Despite her defiance, she felt a strange sense of clarity settling in, the fog lifting just enough for her to think more clearly.

Faraz watched her, his expression softening for the briefest of moments before he turned, reaching for a towel. He held it out to her, his gaze steady and unwavering. “When you’re ready,” he said simply, his tone surprisingly gentle.

Taliya’s gaze flickered from the towel to his face, her jaw set in defiance even as she reached out, taking it from him without a word. She wrapped it around herself, her hands trembling as she tried to steady her breathing, refusing to look him in the eye.

He took a step back, giving her space as she dried herself off, his gaze still intense, though he said nothing further. The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken tension, a quiet acknowledgment of the strange and complicated connection they shared.

As she finally looked up, meeting his gaze, she felt a surge of anger, frustration, and something she couldn’t quite place. “Why… why are you doing this?” she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Faraz’s expression softened, just a fraction, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. “Because, Taliya,” he said quietly, his voice a low murmur, “like it or not, you’re in my world now. And whether you hate me or not… I won’t let you fall apart.”

°○°

Murad stepped into the night, the cool air brushing against his skin, grounding him as he made his way to the car. His heart raced, fueled by a potent mix of adrenaline and dread. He gripped the steering wheel tightly, knuckles white as he navigated the familiar streets that led to the coast. Thoughts of Taliya consumed him, her laughter echoing in his mind—a reminder of everything he stood to lose.

As he drove, the faint glow of the moon cast shadows on the road, illuminating his path yet leaving the darkness ahead shrouded in uncertainty. Memories of their time together flooded his mind—their first meeting, her teasing smile, the moments that made him fall for her. But those memories were marred by the reality of her abduction. Faraz’s name burned like a brand in his mind, and he felt the weight of his anger rising within him.

Pulling up to the secluded docks, Murad parked the car and stepped out into the salty breeze. The waves crashed rhythmically against the wooden pier, a haunting lullaby that both soothed and unnerved him. He had secured a small boat from a local fisherman who owed him a favor, and he made his way toward it, determination driving every step.

As he prepared to set off, he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that Hashim was right. Faraz was dangerous—he had taken Taliya, and that alone made him a threat. Murad knew the man was a calculating and ruthless opponent, but he had to trust his instincts. He wasn’t about to let anyone else suffer because of his choices.

The engine of the boat sputtered to life, and Murad felt a rush of exhilaration. He steered toward the open water, the wind whipping through his hair as he left the safety of the shore behind. The island loomed in the distance, dark and foreboding. As he neared it, the thrill of the chase mingled with dread—what awaited him there?


°•°

Faraz stood on the balcony of the beach house, the ocean stretching out beneath him like a dark, restless blanket. He had just received a report from one of his men—Murad was coming for him. The thought made him smirk, a cold, cruel smile that twisted his lips. He had been expecting this, knew that Murad would never back down.

Turning his gaze from the horizon, he stepped back inside, the dim light of the room casting shadows on his features. Taliya was still inside, her presence a stark reminder of what was at stake. He had kept her isolated, away from the world, but he hadn’t counted on the way her spirit flickered even in captivity. Faraz had tried to break her, to turn her into something he could control, but it seemed she resisted at every turn.

“Are you ready for your visitor?” he called, knowing she could hear him.

Moments later, Taliya appeared in the doorway, her hair damp and her expression defiant. She had been trying to resist the effects of the drugs, the haze still lingering in her eyes, but the fire in her spirit remained intact.

“Let me go, Faraz,” she said, her voice steady despite the tremor beneath it. “You can’t keep me here forever.”

He chuckled, an unsettling sound that echoed in the quiet room. “Oh, but I can, Taliya. And I will, as long as I need you. You see, you’re not just a pawn in my game. You’re the key to a much bigger picture.”

“What bigger picture?” she shot back, her anger flaring. “What do you want with me? You think holding me here will somehow change what’s happened?”

“Change? No, my dear,” he replied smoothly, stepping closer. “But it can create an opportunity. Murad will come for you, and when he does, I’ll make sure he understands the cost of crossing me. You’re my leverage, Taliya.”

Her heart raced, fear mixing with determination as she squared her shoulders. “You’re delusional if you think this will end well for you. Murad will come, and when he does, you’ll regret ever laying a hand on me.”

Faraz’s smile widened, amusement dancing in his eyes. “That fire is what makes you so interesting. You know he’ll risk everything to save you. It’s almost romantic, really. But when he arrives, it will be too late for both of you.”

The tension in the room crackled like electricity, and Taliya fought to keep her composure. She needed to buy time, to find a way to escape or at least weaken Faraz’s hold over her. “What if I said I’d help you? Maybe I could convince him to join your side,” she suggested, her voice low and calculating.

Faraz raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her proposition. “Help me? Why would you do that? What do you gain from betraying him?”

She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Because I want to survive. If I help you, maybe you’ll let him go. Maybe you’ll see that I’m not a threat.”

A flicker of interest crossed Faraz’s face, but he remained cautious. “And what makes you think I’ll believe you? You’re clever, Taliya, but your loyalty lies with Murad.”

“Perhaps,” she admitted, her tone neutral. “But survival is my priority. I want to see what you’re capable of, Faraz. I want to know why you think this game is worth playing.”

He regarded her with a mix of curiosity and skepticism, the dynamic shifting slightly as he considered her words. “You’re a fascinating creature, Taliya. But understand this—there’s no escaping my grasp. You can play your games, but in the end, you’ll have to make a choice.”

The door swung open suddenly, and Faraz turned to see one of his men entering. “Boss, we’ve spotted the boat. Murad is on his way.”

Taliya’s heart raced as she absorbed the news. This was it—the moment she’d been waiting for. Murad was coming, and she had to hold on just a little longer.

Faraz turned back to her, his expression unreadable. “Looks like our little dance is about to get interesting. Brace yourself, Taliya.”