Bound To You ✔

P R O L O G U E

The world consists of predators and prey. Right now, the bride is the prey. The stranger who kidnapped her is the predator.

A yelp escaped her mouth as she fell onto the cold floor. Adrenaline surged fast in her body. She got up on her trembling feet, facing the man who locked the door.

He turned around and smirked.

"Who are you? Why are you doing this? Please, let me go," she begged.

He reduced the space between them in slow strides and trapped her between the wall and his body. Her breathing quickened. Sweat started trickling down her neck.

He snatched the red scarf covering her head.

Her lips became slack as terror grew, exposed like a meat to a predator. No man has viewed her without her headscarf, not even her fiancé.

Grabbing both her hands with one hand above her head, he slid the other arm around her waist. Pulling her close to his body, he whispered in her ears.

"My family is dead because of his family. I can't let him start one. I'm sorry, Ishana, but it's my way of revenge."

Her eyes widened. Tears cascaded down her cheeks. She screamed as she tried to free herself from his grip.

He punched her face a few times to silence her pleas for help and weakened her body. After ripping her clothes, he showed no sympathy.

In five minutes, he ruined her.

Kissing her bruised neck, he whispered again, "Akil, you will never forget this name."

He put his clothes on and exited the room, leaving her broken.

Ishana has never been so helpless in her life. Silent tears flowed unchecked down her cheeks. Blood and bruises covered her body.

Her whole world crumbled down in one night. The same night she is supposed to tie the knot with another man. Disgusted with herself, she screamed with all her might.

She became hollow like a shell whose pearl got snatched.

Gathering the little strength left, she limped in her torn red wedding dress until she escaped the house.

The coldness of the night seeped into her bones. Despite quivering, she walked towards the sound of waves crashing. The dim light emitted from the house showed they built it near a cliff.

Each step toward her new destination sent chills down her spine. She couldn't care less now. Standing at the edge, the crashing waves against the shore became music to her ears. Goosebumps rose on her arms. Her raven-tousled hair flew backward and slapped her face at times.

The moment when she figures out her life is over.

The future is gone for her.

Despite being an orphan, she did her best all her life, trying to be a good person. She'll always reflect from a parent's perspective before any decision. She never expected a wealthy hotelier to fall in love with her and even agree to marry her.

However, she's not worthy of him anymore. She has been used and thrown like tissue paper.

"Ishana-"

Her name echoed in the darkness of this unfortunate night by her beloved's familiar voice. As she turned around, she spotted him looking at her at a distance in his wedding attire. His eyes roamed her body. He didn't take long to figure out what had happened to her.

Sobbing, she shouted, "I'm not worthy of you anymore. I'm sorry, Zaid. I have no choice."

He begged, "Please don't do it. I still love you."

No matter what, her time has arrived. Tears blurred her vision while her lover ran towards her.

Eyes fixed on his shadowy form, she walked two steps backward, letting gravity pull her down into the ocean's depth, listening to her name shrieked by the one person she had ever fallen in love with.

"ISHANA-"

The surrounding transparent and salty water entered her system, choking her. She tried to fight it back to no avail. Closing her eyes, she gave up.

Her memories with Zaid flashed in her head until a severe ache took over. She let her body be dragged by the currents, pulling her into further darkness.

Or simply in another world.