NOVA
The cold night breeze brushed against my skin like whispers from the void. Darkness had swallowed every trace of light. Not a single star blinked in the sky—it was just black. Hollow. Hopeless.
Standing by the window, I clutched the makeshift rope I had crafted—stitched together with torn blankets, bedsheets, and the last bits of desperation I had left.
I pressed my forehead against the glass and whispered into the silence,
"With the almighty above, I do this in my right mind. Please… if I'm one of your children, save me."
This had to work. It was my only chance.
I tied one end of the rope tightly around the bed frame, yanking it a few times to make sure it could hold me. My hands trembled. My breaths were uneven. But I was ready.
Or at least I thought I was.
"It's now or never," I whispered and swung the rope out of the window, watching it dangle into the dark abyss below.
My heart pounded like it wanted to escape before I did. The time was 3:07 a.m.
I climbed over the balcony railing, gripping the rope tightly.
"Oh God... okay... okay," I muttered.
The fabric held. It didn't tear.
Step by step, inch by inch, I lowered myself down, the mansion's wall brushing against my bruised arms.
"Almost there, Nova," I whispered to myself, trying to suppress the scream of adrenaline in my chest.
"You're one second away from freedom. You're doing it."
I looked down. The ground—or what I thought was the ground—was just a few feet away. My boots scraped something solid. I let go, landing with a soft thud.
And then…
"Shit," I gasped, freezing.
He was standing there. Right in front of me. Julius Ruvanov.
Like he'd been waiting for me.
My breath caught in my throat.
He tilted his head slightly, his gaze dark and unreadable. "Shouldn't I be the one shocked right now? You're the one sneaking into my room, darling."
My eyes darted behind him—what I thought was the ground was actually a massive terrace garden. I hadn't escaped the mansion. I had only descended into the lion's den.
Panic surged. My heart dropped. This wasn't freedom. This was his floor.
"Y-Your room?" I stuttered, trying to play it off, forcing a shaky laugh. "Wow, what a coincidence. I was just… um… exploring."
He stepped closer.
"Nova," he said, voice calm yet spine-chilling. "For someone who claims to be a hacker, you're incredibly stupid."
"I—well—I didn't know it was your room. I just…" I stopped. There was no point.
He took another step. My body froze.
"I could kill you right now," he said, voice laced with venom. "And your entire bloodline. One command from me and poof—you'll vanish like you never existed."
His words weren't threats. They were facts.
I swallowed hard. My voice cracked. "So… why don't you just do it? Kill me. Let me go. I won't tell anyone. I'll pretend none of this ever happened. I swear..."
He gave a soft, humorless chuckle. Then his eyes turned colder.
"Oh, sweetheart. That's cute. But you see…" He leaned in closer. "I like playing with people. And you? You're the perfect little puzzle to break."
I felt my legs weaken.
"And now," he said, standing upright again, "you have two options. Either walk back into your room on your own... or I'll have my men drag you back by your hair. I suggest you start walking before I get bored."
I blinked back the tears threatening to spill.
"I'll… I'll go," I murmured, voice barely a whisper.
He didn't reply.
I turned and walked toward the door, my back burning under his gaze. Every step felt heavier. Shame, fear, and rage all mingled into one tangled storm inside my chest.
I opened the heavy wooden door. The hallway outside was eerily empty. No guards. No staff. Just silence. Like he wanted me to run… only to catch me again.
Back in the room—the prison—I slammed the door shut and collapsed against it. I slid down to the floor, tears finally streaming out.
I buried my face in my knees, sobbing quietly, heart shattering in slow motion.
They kidnapped me… but they didn't ask for ransom.
They didn't want money.
They didn't want anything.
Except to keep me here like a broken toy on a shelf.
Trapped in luxury. Drowning in silence. Crumbling alone.
And worst of all, I didn't know why.
What's their endgame?
Would I live or die?
Or just rot here forever… until I forget who I was?
Everything felt… exhausting.
Hopeless.
Like the stars had abandoned me, too