"Mmph... Mmph... Let go...!"
Elizabeth struggled desperately.
For several moments, she tried in vain to break free from the iron grip restraining her. With a hand clamped tightly over her mouth and nose, breathing became difficult. The color gradually drained from her face.
The pressure on her jaw left painful marks.
Desperate to escape, she twisted and fought, only to slam against the metallic interior of the vehicle. Pain shot through her body, yet she refused to stop struggling.
She used every self-defense technique she knew, but they were useless against the monstrous strength of her captor.
Suddenly, the hand covering her mouth moved away.
Before she could react, another powerful hand seized her wrist and forced it behind her back.
A sharp cry escaped her lips.
The pressure increased.
Her cheek was crushed against the window glass.
A fist tangled itself in her wavy hair, pulling hard.
Then a terrifying voice echoed through the vehicle—cold, harsh, and merciless.
"Was it this hand that touched you?"
Elizabeth's eyes widened.
Reflected in the window was Richard's face.
His sharp jaw trembled with rage.
Fire burned within his eyes.
A chill ran down Elizabeth's spine.
"You...?"
Richard tightened his grip on her hair.
Her face pressed harder against the glass.
The pain became unbearable.
With a furious roar, he shouted,
"Or were you expecting someone else, you f*cking Dark Red?"
Elizabeth flinched violently.
The soundproof car trapped every bit of his fury inside.
Her body trembled.
Her arm felt as if it would snap.
Her cheek burned.
She couldn't even cry out properly.
Just as suddenly, Richard released her hand as though throwing away something filthy.
"Ah!"
She cried out in pain.
But before she could even sit upright, another attack followed.
Richard pulled her onto his lap in one swift motion.
One hand gripped her chin.
The other wrapped tightly around her waist.
His sharp nails dug painfully through the thin fabric against her skin.
Tears filled Elizabeth's eyes.
Richard paid no attention.
He brushed his nose against her neck while she struggled frantically.
Grabbing his hair, she tried to push him away.
It was useless.
"Let me go!"
To her surprise, Richard loosened his hold.
Elizabeth immediately tried to move away.
But escape was never going to be that easy.
His arm remained firmly around her waist.
Every attempt she made was effortlessly blocked.
His wandering hand ignored all boundaries.
Then, as unexpectedly as rain in November, his voice changed.
His thumb brushed against her soft pink lips.
Their foreheads touched.
A low vibration lingered between them.
His voice carried dangerous desire.
"Love me, Red."
A deep shadow settled over Elizabeth's heart.
Richard's warmth felt like poison.
Heavy.
Burning.
Unbearable.
His touch made her entire body go cold.
Every nerve screamed with discomfort.
Yet despite her fear, she strengthened her resolve.
"You are lower than a worm."
Richard lifted his face from her neck.
A crooked smile appeared on his lips.
Leaning close to her ear, he whispered,
"You still know very little about me, Red. Even the word 'low' doesn't suit someone like me."
"I don't want to know anything about you. I want freedom. Freedom."
"Freedom?" he repeated. "Why? So you can stay with your so-called husband?"
A sharp sting pierced Elizabeth's chest.
Memories of Richard's previous cruelty flashed through her mind.
Her eyes filled with tears.
"What are you trying to say? Please... don't hurt him."
Richard surprised her again.
His voice remained calm.
"I won't. I truly won't do anything with my own hands."
His words only created greater fear.
Elizabeth curled into herself.
"Why are you doing this? What have I ever done to you? I just want to live peacefully."
"Who stopped you from doing that?"
His casual answer shattered her remaining patience.
"The happiness stolen from others never lasts. Actions always bring consequences."
"Whether it's a blessing or a disaster," Richard replied, "you'll share it all with me."
"That will never happen."
Richard pressed a rough thumb against her lips.
His breath brushed across her face.
His voice grew darker.
"Actions always speak louder than words, darling."
"Don't call me those disgusting names."
A wicked smile touched his lips.
"When every part of me already lives inside you, what difference does a name make, baby?"
Their distance vanished.
Elizabeth fought desperately.
Her fists pounded against his chest.
Her strength slowly faded.
Her breathing became uneven.
Eventually, her struggles weakened.
Yet Richard refused to stop.
Moments passed.
And what he called love ended only in pain.
A bitter smile crossed his face.
"Isn't this amusing, Red? You came here to enjoy your honeymoon with your husband, and yet..."
Elizabeth broke down completely.
Tears poured endlessly from her eyes.
All the pain.
The humiliation.
The loneliness.
Everything flowed out through those tears.
"I want freedom from this pain," she sobbed. "Please let me go."
Richard laughed bitterly.
"Richard Kayanat doesn't let anyone live peacefully if he can't find peace himself. Being a bastard runs in my blood."
"I want freedom..." she whispered weakly.
"Impossible."
For the first time, Elizabeth looked directly into his eyes.
Under the dim sodium streetlights filtering into the car, she noticed the scar slashing across his cheek.
Tonight, there was no hatred in his gaze.
No disgust.
Only something unspoken.
"People usually force someone to stay only when they—"
Before she could finish, Richard shoved her violently away.
She crashed against the seat.
Pain exploded through her shoulder.
Instantly, the gangster returned.
His eyes darkened.
His expression hardened.
His roar shook the vehicle.
"That doesn't apply to me. Not even a little. I'm Richard Kayanat. Softness? Obedience? Those things don't exist in my world."
His voice grew colder.
"And you? You're nothing but a piece of sh*t to me. A girl who does nothing except piss me off. Someone I hate more than anything."
Tears choked Elizabeth.
"Then if you hate me this much... why force me?"
Without warning, Richard grabbed her throat.
His fingers tightened.
"Because that's exactly who I am!"
His voice thundered.
"I could drag you away and lock you in a cage whenever I want. But do you know why I don't?"
His eyes blazed with madness.
"Because I want to see regret in those eyes. I want to see the eyes that dared choose someone else over me drown in remorse."
He leaned closer.
"You'll never find peace away from me. One day you'll burn so completely that you'll surrender on your own."
A twisted smile appeared.
"I'm not just a little insane. I'm completely psycho."
After saying those words, Richard suddenly searched beside him.
He found the car keys.
A strange smile crossed his face.
Then he unlocked the door.
Before Elizabeth could react—
He kicked it open.
And shoved her out.
She fell hard onto the road.
Pain spread throughout her body.
Yet she made no sound.
Her tear-filled eyes remained fixed on Richard.
He stepped out of the car and stood before her.
His gaze burned like wildfire.
His deep voice carried a chilling certainty.
"If you embody beauty, I shall personify the monster."
The black car disappeared into the night.
Leaving behind only dust.
And pain.
Elizabeth remained where she had fallen, staring into the darkness.
Then—
"Elokeshi! Elokeshi!"
Takbir's voice echoed from afar.
Moments later, he came running toward her.
Dropping to his knees, he carefully examined her from head to toe.
His voice trembled.
"Elokeshi, how did you get here? I've been searching everywhere for you. Do you know what state I was in when I couldn't find you?"
Elizabeth lowered her gaze.
"I walked this way and got lost."
She hid everything.
Every painful detail.
Takbir narrowed his eyes slightly.
"You had your phone. You could've called me."
For some reason, her chest burned.
"Can we go back to the hotel? I don't feel well."
"But—"
"Please."
Takbir hesitated.
Then nodded.
"Okay. Let's go."
With his help, Elizabeth stood up.
Under the streetlights, her fragile figure seemed even weaker.
A frown appeared on Takbir's face.
His eyes moved to her lips.
"Elokeshi... why do your lips look swollen?"
Instinctively, Elizabeth touched them.
A sharp sting followed.
Memories of what had just happened surged back.
Discomfort clouded her eyes.
The pain inside her heart deepened.
"Maybe an insect bit me."
Takbir stared at her for a moment.
But he said nothing.
Together, they walked toward the hotel.