Chapter 6 Take The Pill

• But even after everything, Adrian still stepped closer.
• His eyes traced the marks left on Serena’s skin—faint bruises, crimson reminders of a night she never asked for. He didn’t touch her again, not in the way she feared. Instead, he studied her like she was an unfinished painting — and then, just as abruptly, turned away.
• “You’ll sleep here tonight,” he said, voice unreadable as he walked out of the room.
• The door clicked shut behind him.
• The moment he was gone, Serena bolted upright from the bed. Her legs trembled beneath her, but she pushed forward. She had to get out. Every cell in her body screamed it.
• She took a few steps, dizzy from exhaustion and the rush of adrenaline, nearly falling to her knees. Her fingers pressed to her temples as she steadied herself.
• She tiptoed toward the door, pressing her ear to it. Silence.
• Carefully, slowly, she turned the knob, cracking the door just enough to peek into the hallway. Empty.
• A flicker of hope sparked in her chest. She took one quiet step outside—
• “Not enough for one night?”
• A voice sliced through the air like a knife.
• She gasped, spinning around, clutching her dress to her chest. Adrian stood casually by the doorway, his expression unreadable but his eyes sharp.
• “I—I thought you left,” she stammered.
• “In that outfit?” He glanced at the evening dress she was still wearing. “Planning to sleep in designer couture?”
• She stepped back, hugging herself. “I… I don’t have anything else to wear.”
• “I didn’t bring you pajamas either,” he said, stepping closer. “So maybe you should sleep without.”
• Serena’s back hit the edge of the bed. Her legs nearly gave out again.
• He lifted a brow at her silence. “I don’t like being lied to. You were trying to leave.”
• “No—” she blurted. “I wasn’t. I swear, I just… I wanted to rest, that’s all.”
• He studied her, then touched her collarbone with the back of his fingers. She flinched.
• “Get in bed. Now. Don’t make me lose my patience.”
• She hesitated, then wrapped the towel around herself again and slowly climbed into bed, curling up on the edge. The sheets still carried his scent, and her stomach turned. But she held it down. She had to.
• Adrian lay beside her without another word.
• The tension in the room was suffocating, but exhaustion eventually won. Serena drifted off into a restless sleep, chased by dark dreams.
• When she woke, sunlight was already pouring through the windows.
• Her head pounded. Her eyes burned. All around her were pieces of the night she didn’t want to remember — scattered clothes, tangled sheets, silence.
• From the bathroom, she heard the shower running.
• Her heart started racing. She didn’t know what she was supposed to do now. Stay? Run?
• Before she could decide, the door opened.
• Adrian walked out, shirtless, a towel slung low around his hips. His hair was damp, water dripping down the lines of muscle across his chest.
• Serena looked away quickly.
• “Take the pill,” he said, without emotion.
• Her eyes flicked to the nightstand. There was a glass of water… and a box of pills.
• Emergency contraception.
• Her hands trembled as she reached for it, staring at the label. Her throat went dry.
• Adrian didn’t explain. He didn’t have to. His silence said enough.
• Serena blinked hard to stop the tears. Then she picked up the glass.
• And swallowed.
• Adrian walked toward the walk-in closet, his voice cold and sharp.
• “From now on, handle the pills yourself. I don’t care if you take them before or after—”
• He suddenly paused, turned around, and looked directly at Serena.
• “Remember this. You’re not qualified to bear my child. So take your pills on time… unless you want to face consequences you can’t afford.”
• Her hand trembled as she held the pillbox. Slowly, she opened it and, following the instructions, swallowed the dose.
• After setting the glass of water down, her eyes drifted to a neatly folded set of women’s clothing on the nightstand—complete with undergarments on top. She hesitated, her fingers brushing the fabric before pulling back. Her gaze shifted toward the closet.
• Moments later, the door to the walk-in closet opened. She quickly lowered her head, heart racing.
• Adrian emerged, fully dressed, adjusting his tie as he stepped into the room.
• “Change into the clothes I left you. Don’t wear what you had on yesterday,” he said flatly. When she didn’t respond, his voice turned stern. “Did you hear me?!”
• “I… I heard you,” Serena whispered, her voice barely audible. Fearing he hadn’t heard, she cleared her throat and repeated more clearly, “Yes…”
• He gave her a curt nod and turned to leave the room.
• Serena slowly changed into the clothes, each movement making her wince in pain. Every step reminded her of the night before—of the storm she hadn’t escaped. A wave of nausea rose in her chest, but she forced it down.
• Downstairs, the living room was empty. She stood there, lost and uncertain, until a sudden memory jolted her—her mother. Still in the hospital. Still waiting for surgery.
• Without hesitation, she rushed toward the front door. She couldn’t give up now. Her mother needed her. She had to get to the hospital.
• But as soon as she stepped outside, she froze.
• The two bodyguards from yesterday were stationed at the gate.
• “Miss will, please return inside,” one of them said politely, but firmly.
• “I need to go to the hospital!” she said urgently.
• “The president left orders. You are not to leave the house.”
• “Why?!” she cried.
• “We’re just following orders.”
• She stood frozen, unsure what to do. After a moment, she asked, “Where did he go?”
• “The President is at work. Please return to the house and wait.”
• “I have to go! My mother needs surgery!” she pleaded.
• “The President said you’re not allowed to leave.” Their tone had turned cold. Before she could say another word, they pushed her gently but firmly back inside and locked the door behind her.
• Serena grabbed the doorknob and twisted it desperately. Then she pounded on the door, yelling, “Let me out! Let me go!”
• Later that afternoon, Adrian returned.
• He found her collapsed lifelessly on the sofa, her face pale, eyes hollow. A takeout box sat on the coffee table, untouched — something the bodyguards had likely left for her at lunch.
• He stood over her, expression unreadable.
• “Skipping meals? Starving yourself won’t change anything.”
• Serena blinked, then slowly sat up and clutched his pant leg.
• “My mother… what happened to her? Is she okay?”
• “Eat, and I’ll tell you.”
• She hesitated for a second — then nodded frantically.
• “I’ll eat. I’ll eat right now!” she said, quickly opening the meal and shoveling food into her mouth without hesitation.