Bound by Fate

9

Xie Feng's hands cradled Yueling's head, his eyes filled with concern. "Drink, my love," he whispered, offering her a cup of steaming liquid. "It will help you heal."

But Yueling turned her head away, her lips compressing into a thin line. She didn't want his help, didn't want his kindness. Not after everything he'd put her through.

Xie Feng's face fell, his eyes flashing with hurt. "Yueling, please," he coaxed, his voice soft. "You need to recover."

But Yueling remained stubborn, her gaze fixed on the wall. She felt a strange sense of satisfaction in defying him, in denying him the chance to care for her.

The maids exchanged nervous glances, sensing the tension between them. Xie Feng's jaw clenched, his eyes burning with a fierce intensity...

Xie Feng's voice was low and commanding. "Leave us," he told the maids, his eyes never leaving Yueling's face.

The maids scurried out, closing the door behind them. Yueling felt a shiver run down her spine as she was left alone with Xie Feng.

The room was silent, the only sound Xie Feng's heavy breathing. Yueling could feel his gaze on her, burning with intensity.

Suddenly, Xie Feng's face was inches from hers, his eyes blazing with emotion. "Why do you defy me, Yueling?" he whispered, his voice husky. "I am trying to help you."

Yueling's heart raced, her mind racing with answers. But she said nothing, her lips compressed into a thin line.

Xie Feng's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched. "Fine," he spat, his voice dripping with anger. "If you won't accept my help, then maybe you'll accept my punishment..."

Xie Feng's lips crashed down on Yueling's, his mouth forcing hers open. She struggled, trying to push him away, but he held her fast.

The medicine in his mouth mingled with her own, bitter and sweet at the same time. Yueling's eyes widened in shock as Xie Feng deepened the kiss, his tongue forcing her to swallow.

She tried to resist, but it was too late. The medicine slid down her throat, leaving a trail of warmth in its wake.

As Xie Feng pulled back, Yueling gasped for air, her face flushed with anger and embarrassment. "You...you beast!" she spat, her hands trembling with rage.

Xie Feng's eyes gleamed with triumph, his chest heaving with exertion. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe, Yueling," he growled, his voice low and husky. "Even if it means forcing you to accept my help..."

Yueling's hand flashed out, her palm connecting with Xie Feng's cheek in a resounding slap. The sound echoed through the room, leaving a stunned silence in its wake.

Xie Feng's eyes narrowed, his face darkening with anger. For a moment, Yueling thought he would retaliate, but then he seemed to rein in his temper.

With a curt nod, he turned and strode out of the room, leaving Yueling shaken and confused. She didn't know what to make of Xie Feng's mercurial mood swings, or his strange, possessive behavior.

As the door closed behind him, Yueling collapsed onto the bed, her heart racing with emotion. She felt like she was walking on eggshells around Xie Feng, never knowing when he would explode into anger or tender concern.

But one thing was certain - she couldn't keep living like this, trapped in a cycle of fear and uncertainty...

Yueling's exhausted body surrendered to sleep, but her mind refused to rest. She dreamed, her subconscious weaving a dark and foreboding tapestry.

In her dream, she saw herself standing on a precipice, the wind whipping her hair into a frenzy. Xie Feng stood beside her, his eyes black as coal, his face twisted into a snarl.

As she watched in horror, he pushed her, and she felt herself falling, plummeting towards the ground. She tried to scream, but her voice was silenced by some unseen force.

Yueling's body jerked, her sheets drenched with sweat. She thrashed, trapped in the nightmare, as her dream-self hit the ground with a sickening crunch.

The pain was excruciating, her vision fading to black. And then, she saw Xie Feng's face, his eyes filled with a deep sorrow...

Yueling woke with a start, her heart racing, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The dream lingered, its darkness seeping into her waking thoughts. She knew she had to escape, before Xie Feng's possessiveness consumed her completely...

Yueling's eyes fluttered open, her gaze meeting Xie Feng's intense stare. He sat beside her, his face inches from hers, his eyes burning with a fierce possessiveness.

"I won't let you go," he whispered, his breath caressing her skin. "You're mine, Yueling. Forever."

Yueling's heart skipped a beat, her mind reeling from the dream and Xie Feng's ominous words. She tried to sit up, but he pinned her down, his hands like chains on her shoulders.

"You saw it, didn't you?" he growled, his eyes glinting with a knowing light. "You saw your death. But I won't let it happen. I'll protect you, no matter what."

Yueling's thoughts whirled, her fear and confusion mingling with a spark of defiance. She wouldn't be trapped, wouldn't be held captive by Xie Feng's dark obsession...