I called Adrian until my battery dropped to ten percent.
Nothing.
No answer.
No message.
Nothing.
That silence frightened me more than anything my father had ever said.
I sat on the floor beside my bed, staring at the photograph the unknown person had sent me.
Adrian was standing outside his house.
Two men stood behind him.
My father's men.
I knew them.
I had seen them around our house many times.
My hands began to shake.
I called again.
This time, the call went straight to voicemail.
"Please," I whispered. "Please answer me."
I wanted to run to his house.
I wanted to scream his name.
But I knew my father would be watching.
And if the photograph was real, going there might put Adrian in even greater danger.
Then my bedroom door opened.
I quickly wiped my tears.
My mother stood there.
She looked at me for a moment.
"You've been crying."
"I'm fine."
She walked inside and closed the door.
"You're not fine."
I looked away.
"Mom, did Dad do something to Adrian?"
She froze.
That tiny reaction told me everything.
"You know."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Mom."
She sat beside me.
For a few seconds, she said nothing.
Then she whispered, "You shouldn't have gotten involved with that family."
My heart sank.
"Where is Adrian?"
"I don't know."
"You're lying."
She looked toward the door.
"Lower your voice."
I grabbed her hand.
"Please."
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Your father is dangerous when he's angry."
"I know."
"No, you don't."
She looked at me.
"I've spent years watching him destroy anyone who stands in his way."
"Then help me."
She pulled her hand away.
"I can't."
"Why?"
"Because if he discovers I helped you, he will destroy both of us."
I stared at her.
"So everyone is afraid of him?"
She didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
My phone suddenly vibrated.
I grabbed it.
Unknown number.
He's alive.
My heart jumped.
Another message appeared.
For now.
I couldn't breathe.
Then:
If you want him safe, marry Daniel.
I stared at the words.
My mother saw my face change.
"What happened?"
I handed her the phone.
She read the messages.
Her face went pale.
"Who is sending these?"
"I don't know."
She stood immediately.
"You need to tell your father."
"No."
"He's the only one who can protect you."
I looked at her in disbelief.
"He's the reason Adrian is in danger!"
She had no answer.
I locked my phone.
"I won't marry Daniel."
My mother whispered, "You don't have a choice."
I looked at her.
"Everyone keeps telling me that."
Then I stood.
"I've spent my entire life doing what my father wanted."
I wiped my tears.
"But I'm not going to sacrifice the person I love just because he's afraid of losing control."
My mother grabbed my wrist.
"Don't do anything foolish."
I pulled away.
"I'm already in the trap."
That night, I packed a small bag.
I didn't know where I would go.
I didn't know how I would rescue Adrian.
I only knew one thing.
I couldn't stay in my father's house and wait for my wedding day.
But just as I reached for the window, my bedroom door suddenly opened.
My father stood there.
His eyes dropped to the bag in my hand.
He smiled.
"Going somewhere?"
My heart stopped.