Destined By Hate

CHAPTER-21

                                                               ~Bella~

With my heart pounding in my chest and adrenaline coursing through my veins, I made my decision. The open door was a beacon of hope, an escape route I couldn't ignore. I knew that hesitation could cost me everything, so I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what lay beyond.

I stepped through the threshold, my bare feet making almost no sound against the cool floor as I darted into the dimly lit corridor. The muffled voices of his men grew louder behind me, a chaotic blend of urgency and tension that fueled my determination. Every fiber of my being screamed for me to run, to get as far away from him and his twisted world as possible.

As I rushed down the corridor, I kept my ears attuned to the sounds around me. The mansion loomed like a labyrinth, its walls adorned with dark, ornate decorations that felt as suffocating as my circumstances. I sprinted past a series of closed doors, glancing into each room as I went. They were all lavishly furnished but felt empty—hollow spaces that echoed with the whispers of despair and control.

Suddenly, I rounded a corner and found myself in a grand hallway illuminated by flickering candlelight. The lavish décor was overwhelming, but I couldn't afford to be distracted. I pressed on, my mind racing with thoughts of escape. I needed a window, a door, anything that would lead me to freedom.

In the distance, I heard footsteps—heavy, determined footsteps. Panic surged within me as I picked up my pace, my heart hammering in my chest. I felt as if I was being hunted, the instinct to flee overpowering any rational thought. The world around me began to blur as I focused solely on finding an exit.

At the end of the hallway, I spotted a set of double doors partially ajar. Hope ignited within me as I dashed toward them, praying that they would lead to an escape. Pushing the doors open, I stepped into a large, open room that overlooked the dense forest surrounding the mansion.

The view was breathtaking but offered no solace. I glanced around, searching for a way out. My eyes landed on a smaller door in the corner of the room, leading outside. The cool night air called to me, and I felt a surge of urgency as I sprinted toward it.

Just as I reached for the handle, I heard a voice booming from behind me—his voice, laced with authority and fury. "Where do you think you're going?"

The blood in my veins turned to ice as I spun around, my worst fears realized. He stood in the doorway, flanked by two of his men, his expression a terrifying blend of anger and concern. I could see the darkness swirling in his eyes, and instinctively, I took a step back, my mind racing to find an escape route.

"Stay away from me!" I shouted, the desperation in my voice echoing in the grand hall. My heart raced, my breath quickened, but there was no time to linger in fear. I pushed through the smaller door, praying it would lead to safety, but I knew the moment I stepped outside, the chase would truly begin.

As the door swung open, I was met with the cold air of the night and the faint sounds of the forest. I dashed out, adrenaline fueling my every step, not looking back as I plunged into the darkness. I could hear him shouting after me, his voice booming through the trees, but I wouldn't stop. I couldn't stop. The freedom I craved was just ahead, and I was determined to seize it, no matter the cost.

As I burst through the door and into the night, the forest loomed before me—a dark, tangled mass of trees and shadows. The sight of the dense woods filled me with both hope and dread. I could almost feel the promise of freedom echoing from the depths of the thicket. With my heart pounding, I made the split-second decision to plunge into the trees, trusting that the cover of darkness would help conceal me from him and his men.

I sprinted forward, my bare feet slapping against the cool, uneven ground. Twigs and leaves crunched beneath me, and the chill of the night air bit at my skin, but I couldn't afford to feel the pain. I had to keep moving, keep running, away from the chaos of his world and into the unknown.

The forest enveloped me, the trees whispering secrets as I weaved through the underbrush, my breath coming in sharp, panicked gasps. I dared to glance over my shoulder, but the darkness swallowed my surroundings, making it hard to see anything behind me. For a fleeting moment, I thought maybe, just maybe, I had lost him.

But then, through the rustling leaves and the distant sounds of the night, I heard him—his voice cutting through the stillness like a knife. "You can't run forever, love," he called, his tone unnervingly calm. The possessiveness in his words sent a shiver down my spine, and the hair on the back of my neck stood on end. "You're mine, and I'll always find you. You know that, don't you?"

I stumbled slightly, my heart racing as I pressed deeper into the shadows of the forest. Tears blurred my vision, and I fought to suppress the sobs that threatened to escape my lips. No, I told myself. I can't give in to fear. I had to stay quiet, stay alert, and find a way to navigate through the trees.

With every step, I tried to muffle the sound of my movement, but the forest floor was unforgiving. Branches snagged at my clothes, and the cold air stung my bare legs. I strained my ears to listen, the sound of his footsteps echoing behind me. He was close—too close. "If you don't surrender, I'll have to come find you, and you know how much I enjoy the hunt," he continued, his voice like velvet wrapped around steel, smooth but laden with menace.

A wave of terror washed over me. What did he mean by that? I pushed forward, desperation fueling my escape. My mind raced, searching for any signs of a way out, a clearing, anything that would lead me away from his suffocating grip. The trees loomed over me, tall and unyielding, their branches clawing at my skin as I pressed through the underbrush.

"Don't make me come after you, sweetheart," he called again, his voice unnaturally calm, almost soothing. "You wouldn't like what I'd do if I catch you. I promise I'll make it worth your while, but you need to surrender first."

I shuddered at his words, my breath hitching as I fought back another wave of tears. How could he speak like that? The calmness in his voice only heightened my fear, making the forest feel more like a trap than a refuge.

I needed to find my way through, needed to lose him in the labyrinth of trees. As I ran, I focused on my surroundings, searching for any indication of a path or a way out. The distant sound of his footsteps became a haunting melody in my ears, a reminder that I was not just running for my life, but from a monster who saw me as his possession.

Every second counted. I forced myself to move faster, my heart hammering in my chest as I fought against the rising panic. I couldn't let him find me, not now. I would do anything to escape the clutches of the man who had turned my world into a nightmare.