Chapter 6

I froze, my entire body tensing as reality crashed down on me. My savings had already dwindled after covering my mom's new medication, and my brother's college fees were still unpaid. And now this… If I lost my performance bonus, it would be nearly impossible to make it through the next month. A wave of dizziness hit me, my fingers trembling. But the call had already ended. Catherine's sharp voice sliced through my thoughts like a blade. "Are you going to apologize or not?" I lifted my gaze, my eyes locking onto hers with pure defiance. I was drowning in problems, but I refused to let Declan or Catherine crush me. "I did nothing wrong," I spat through gritted teeth. "Why should I apologize?" Her eyes flashed with anger. "You—" I didn't give her the chance to finish. Without another word, I turned on my heel and left the department. The next day… I arrived at work as usual, stepping out of the cab just as my phone rang inside my bag. I reached in to check the caller ID when a group of men in black suits surged toward me, cutting off my path. Startled, I froze mid-step. My heart pounded. "Who are you?" I asked, unease clawing at my stomach. They didn't answer. Before I could react, rough hands seized my arms, yanking me forward. My phone and bag slipped from my grasp, hitting the pavement with a dull thud. "Wait! Where are you taking me?" I shouted, thrashing in their grip. "Let me go!" Panic clawed at my chest as they dragged me toward the parking area. My screams for help rang through the air, but the area was eerily empty—no one came to my rescue. A sleek black Rolls Royce loomed ahead. "No!" I twisted and kicked, struggling with everything I had. My nails scraped against their arms, my muscles burned from resistance, but they were too strong. The door swung open. I was shoved inside, tumbling onto the backseat with a gasp. Before I could scramble up, a rough hand grabbed me, yanking me forward. My body slammed against a solid, unyielding chest, strong arms locking me in place like steel bars. Dread curled inside me. I lifted my gaze—and my blood ran cold. It was him, the VIP patient. His dark eyes bored into mine, amusement glinting behind them. A shiver of fear raced down my spine. "We meet again," he smirked. Fury surged through me. "Let go of me." I thrashed against his grip, my fists pounding against his chest, but he held me firm, unfazed by my resistance. "Stop fighting," he growled, his arms tightening around me like a vice. "There is no use. You can't escape me. Better accept your fate and become my mistress." My stomach churned in disgust as he leaned in, inhaling deeply near my hair. A cold shiver ran down my spine, my entire body prickling as though a thousand needles stabbed into my skin. "You're so beautiful," he murmured. "I can't resist you." Revulsion twisted inside me as he pressed his lips against my neck. My skin crawled as his hands roamed over my body, creeping toward my curves. "Keep your hands off me!" I screamed as I clawed at him with all my strength. His expression darkened, and he shoved me away, slapping me across the face. A sharp sting exploded across my cheek as my head snapped to the side. I stumbled, crashing against the car window, pain radiating through my skull. But I didn't have time to dwell on it. My pulse pounded in my ears as I lunged for the door handle, twisting it frantically. It didn't budge. I twisted and twisted the door knob, desperation and fear surging through me. "You can't leave without my permission," he sneered with twisted satisfaction. Just then, I caught sight of Declan's car pulling into the parking lot and coming to a stop on the other side. A flicker of hope ignited inside me as I saw him step out. "Declan, help!" I pounded my fists against the window, my voice desperate. I prayed—begged—that he would hear me, that he would turn in my direction. But he didn't. Instead, he strolled to the passenger side and opened the door. Nichole stepped out, a bright smile on her face as she leaned in close, murmuring something to him. My stomach twisted painfully. Even as my heart ached, I refused to give up. "Declan! I'm here!" I screamed. "Please, save me!" A mocking chuckle drifted from behind me. "The car is soundproof," the man taunted, his breath ghosting over my shoulder. "He can't hear you." His fingers wove through my hair, sending a sickening shudder down my spine. "Even if he did, do you really think he'd come running? Look at him—he is happy with his woman. Why would he bother with you?" I didn't care what he said. I had to try. "Declan!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. "Please, help—!" For a split second, his head tilted slightly, his eyes scanning his surroundings as if he had heard my voice. My pulse spiked with hope. "I'm here!" I banged the window harder, frantic, my breath fogging up the glass. But before I could do more, strong hands yanked me back. "Enough," the man hissed, his grip bruising. I shoved him away, struggling against his hold, and screamed Declan's name again. But then Nichole tugged at Declan's arm, drawing his attention back to her. And just like that, they walked away. The flicker of hope that had briefly ignited within me was snuffed out in an instant. Tears blurred my vision as I watched Declan disappear into the hospital, his arm wrapped possessively around Nichole's waist. He never even glanced back. He didn't hesitate. He didn't care. Why would he? He had Nichole. It was always her. I was nothing in his world—my pain, my suffering, my very existence meant nothing to him. A bitter lump formed in my throat as a cruel thought slashed through my mind. Would he even care if this man raped me? My heart clenched painfully. "Don't be sad," the man said with a mockery of comfort as he pulled me into his arms again. "I'll take care of you. Be obedient, please me, and I'll make you happy." Disgust surged through me, snapping me out of my daze. My sadness was instantly replaced with unyielding rage. "That is never going to happen," I spat with defiance. I lashed out—slapping, clawing, fighting with everything I had. I would rather die than surrender to him. "You bitch!" he snarled, his face contorted with fury. "I'll finish you!" He shoved me down onto the seat and loomed over me as he forced rough, violent kisses onto my neck. My stomach twisted with revulsion. I thrashed beneath him, desperate to push him away, but his weight bore down on me. Then suddenly, the car jerked to an abrupt stop. The force sent him sprawling forward, his grip loosening for the first time. Adrenaline surged through my veins. Seizing the moment, I shoved him off with all my strength and bolted upright. My breath came in ragged gasps as I turned toward the windshield. And there I saw a car parked directly in front of us, blocking our way. Hope flared in my chest again.