I Won't Accept Any of Your Regrets

Chapter 5: The Chains of Love!

Evelyn's world felt smaller with every passing day. The island was beautiful, almost picturesque, with its private beaches, towering cliffs, and lush forests. But none of that beauty could distract her from her reality. Nickolas had taken away her freedom and her choice, and now all that remained was the question of how long she could survive like that.

As she walked through the grand hallways of the mansion, she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Every movement she made was monitored, every expression scrutinized. Nickolas was never far, always lurking in the background like a shadow. His obsession with her had grown deeper and more intense, and she knew his need to control her, whatever love he felt.

She paused at the large windows overlooking the ocean. The waves crashed violently against the rocks below, a perfect metaphor for her turbulent emotions. She had been raised in a world of power, surrounded by men who played dangerous games, but she had never imagined herself as a pawn in someone else's life. Yet here she was, trapped in a game she never wanted to play.

Downstairs, Nickolas sat in his office, his fingers drumming impatiently against the wooden desk. He had known this would be difficult. Evelyn was strong-willed and independent, and her resistance had been greater than he expected. But that was part of what drew him to her. She wasn't like the others—she was untouchable, a mystery he had spent years trying to solve.

He was captivated by her picture as a young boy in the Maxwell mansion. Evelyn was everything he wanted: beautiful, powerful, and unreachable. And now, she was his. But Nickolas knew that her love was something he couldn't simply take. It had to be earned or forced if necessary.

He glanced at the phone on his desk, which he had taken from her. There had been no activity, no messages sent—at least none that he hadn't intercepted. She was trying to play along, pretending to accept her fate. But he wasn't fooled. He knew she was still trying to escape, still hoping for a way out.

A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts, and one of his most trusted men stepped into the room. "Sir, we've intercepted a message."

Nickolas's jaw tightened. "From Evelyn?"

"No, sir. From her brother. Dmitry Maxwell."

At the mention of Dmitry's name, Nickolas's grip on the desk tightened. He had expected the Maxwells to interfere at some point but hadn't anticipated it happening so soon. Dmitry was protective of his sister, and while Nickolas respected him, he wouldn't allow anyone to take Evelyn away from him.

"Send someone to watch him," Nickolas ordered, his voice cold. "If Dmitry makes a move, I want to know about it. And if he tries anything..."

Nickolas didn't need to finish the sentence. His man nodded and left the room without a word. The tension in the air was palpable, and Nickolas knew that time was running out. He had to secure his hold on Evelyn before her brothers could intervene. If they tried to take her, he would have no choice but to escalate the situation. He would do whatever it took to keep her.

Even if it meant blood.

Later that evening, Evelyn sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the night sky through the open window. She had no idea how much time had passed since she sent the message to Dmitry. Nickolas had intercepted it for all she knew, and help would never come. She felt trapped, suffocated by the weight of her isolation.

The door creaked open, and Nickolas stepped inside, filling the room. Evelyn tensed, instinctively wrapping her arms around herself as he approached. His eyes were dark and intense, roaming over her with possessive hunger.