Chapter 4
The air felt heavy.
Too heavy.
Jay sat in the car.
Her fingers twisted her dupatta.
Over and over.
"Papa…"
Her voice was small.
"Where are we going?"
Jasfer didn't answer immediately.
His grip on the steering wheel tightened.
"To meet him."
Jay's heart skipped.
Him.
She didn't say his name.
Didn't want to.
"I… I don't want to go."
Silence.
"I know."
That hurt more.
The car stopped.
A huge building stood in front of them.
Dark.
Cold.
Like it had secrets buried inside.
Jay hesitated.
"I'll be with you."
Jasfer said softly.
She nodded.
But fear…
Was already crawling inside her chest.
They stepped out.
Guards everywhere.
Guns.
Eyes watching.
Jay moved closer to her father.
Her hand holding his sleeve.
Tightly.
As they walked in—
A sound stopped her.
A loud thud.
Then another.
And another.
Jay froze.
"What… is that?"
No answer.
But the sound continued.
Like something…
Or someone…
Was being destroyed.
"Stay behind me."
Jasfer whispered.
But Jay's eyes…
They moved toward the sound.
Without her permission.
Step.
Step.
Step.
And then—
She saw it.
Her breath stopped.
A man on the ground.
Bleeding.
Barely moving.
And standing over him—
Keifer
His fist slammed down again.
Blood splattered.
The man screamed.
Begged.
"Please… please stop…"
But Keifer didn't.
Didn't even hesitate.
Another punch.
Another.
Cold.
Precise.
Merciless.
Jay's hands trembled.
Her body went numb.
This wasn't anger.
This wasn't rage.
This was… control.
He knew exactly what he was doing.
And he wasn't stopping.
"Please… I'll tell you everything…"
The man cried.
Keifer grabbed his collar.
Pulled him up slightly.
"You already should have."
His voice…
Calm.
That scared her more than the violence.
Jay took a step back.
Her foot hit something.
A small sound escaped.
Keifer stopped.
Just like that.
Silence.
Then slowly…
He turned.
Their eyes met.
Jay froze.
Completely.
His face…
Not angry.
Not tired.
Just… blank.
With blood on his knuckles.
On his shirt.
On his face.
A monster…
Who didn't even look like one.
"Who is she?"
He asked.
As if nothing had happened.
Jasfer stepped forward quickly.
"She's—"
"My daughter."
A pause.
Keifer's eyes shifted back to Jay.
Slow.
Observing.
This time…
Closer.
Longer.
Jay couldn't breathe.
This was the man…
She had to marry.
Her fingers trembled violently.
Her eyes filled with tears.
But she didn't cry.
Didn't move.
Didn't look away.
Something flickered in his gaze again.
Recognition.
"She doesn't look like someone who can survive this world."
His voice was quiet.
Jay's lips parted slightly.
"I don't belong here…"
She whispered.
Keifer tilted his head slightly.
"No."
A pause.
"But now…"
He took a step toward her.
"…you do."
Jay shook her head instantly.
"No… I don't…"
Her voice broke.
"I saw what you did…"
Another step.
"You're cruel."
Jasfer stiffened.
"Jay—"
But she didn't stop.
Fear had turned into something else.
Something raw.
"You're a monster."
Silence.
Dead silence.
The guards froze.
Jasfer's heart stopped.
And Keifer…
He just stared at her.
Long.
Unreadable.
Then—
A small smirk.
"Good."
Jay blinked.
"I'd rather be feared…"
He stepped closer.
Too close.
"…than loved."
Her breath hitched.
"But don't worry."
His voice dropped.
"I won't hurt you."
A pause.
"Unless you give me a reason."
Jay's heart pounded violently.
Because now she understood.
This wasn't just a man.
This was danger.
Breathing.
Walking.
Watching her.
And tomorrow…
She would belong to him.
End of Chapter 4