I don't know how long I've been running when he appears again, like a phantom from the shadow. My legs buckle and I stumble back, gasping, my body shaking. His eyes roam over me — my torn dress, my bloodied foot, the fear I can't hide.
"My poor little wildfire..." he says, almost tenderly.
I stagger a step back, but my body won't listen anymore. I'm too tired. Too broken. My lips tremble as I glare at him, defiant through my tears.
"Stay away from me!" I rasp, voice hoarse.
He moves like a predator, slow and sure, ignoring my words.
"Come here, little wife."
He closes the distance and reaches for me — I slap at his hands, weakly.
I lashed out with my leg, trying to kick him — scream, fight if you touch me again.
"I'll ruin your future! I will kick so hard you'll never be able to have kids!"
He blocks my kick easily, catching my leg — a dangerous protectiveness.
He pulls me closer, pressing my injured foot against his chest.
"Like I can see why I chose you. You're like a woman who bit back."
His voice makes taming them so much more satisfying," he murmurs, his lips brushing my foot as he kisses the blood-stained skin.
"What are you doing?"
I asked sharply, eyes narrowing, still breathless from my failed escape.
"Checking if you really kicked my future kids away,"
he said with a dark chuckle. He's dangerously close to my stomach. His smile drops the moment he saw my expression — murderous, terrified and completely done.
He hesitated.
---
"Did you mean that?"
he asked, a flicker of unease in his voice. "Can you really make me infertile with one kick with those tiny feet?"
His tone dropped lower — quieter, almost scared like he wants kids so badly.
"You're insane!" I spat the words like venom. "I don't understand you!"
But before I could back away, he suddenly swept me into his arms, lifting me bridal-style like it was his right.
"Put me down, Beast!"
I screamed, fists pounding his chest.
"I'd rather crawl than be carried by you!"
"Too bad I understand you perfectly,"
he growled, voice tight and intense as he strode toward his black car,
"I see a woman who lost everything. Family. Fiancé. Now she is my wife & wants to kill me and make me infertile with tiny little feet!"
"That's exactly right!" I hissed, struggling harder. "And one day I will!"
"Let's go, my babies are waiting to welcome their mama."
I froze.
What babies? my voice cracked. You have kids?! You were married?!
My vision swam — shock, exhaustion, grief — too much. I tried to hold on to my fury, my fight, but my body betrayed me.
My last words came out in a weak whisper:
"You're a nightmare... I'll never be 'mama' to anyone of yours..."
And then everything went black.
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