Nathaniel’s fingers tightened around his phone as the call went unanswered yet again. A cold prickle ran down his spine. "Why isn’t she picking up? Where the hell is she?"
His gaze swept the crowd in quick, restless passes, but Zara was nowhere in sight.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught Bree seated alone, eating peacefully as if nothing were amiss. Nathaniel rushed toward her, a flicker of hope pushing him forward, only for it to vanish when he saw Zara wasn’t around.
The unease in his chest sharpened into dread.
"Where is Zara?" he asked, his voice taut with urgency.
Bree flinched, startled by his sudden appearance. "Nathaniel? What are you doing here?" She cast a confused look at him.
"Don’t waste ti," he hissed, restless. "I can’t find her. Isn’t she supposed to be with you?"
"She was with ," Bree answered quickly. "She just went to the restroom. She’ll be back soon. Relax. Sit down, eat sothing."
But Nathaniel couldn’t hear her calm tone over the pounding in his ears. Every instinct scread that sothing was wrong. The fact that Zara hadn’t answered his call only deepened his unease.
He turned without another word, vanishing into the throng, his eyes scanning every shadow.
"Hey," Bree called after him, frowning. "She’ll be back any second. Why are you—" But he was already gone.
Bree huffed, annoyed. "This man... can’t he wait like a normal person?" she muttered before returning to her al, unaware that the danger Nathaniel feared was already closing in on Zara.
Inside the restroom...
Zara fought to steady herself as a wave of searing heat tore through her body, leaving her dizzy and restless. She leaned over the sink, splashing cold water onto her face, again and again. But it only made her breathing heavier.
The fire inside refused to subside.
Her trembling fingers pressed against her neck, sliding down to her chest as if to claw the discomfort away. The urge to tear off her dress was overwhelming.
’What is happening to ?’
Panic flared in her eyes as the realization dawned. She was certain she had eaten or drunk sothing she shouldn’t have.
"I need to call Bree... I have to get out of here before I lose control," she whispered, fumbling desperately through her bag. Her hands shook as she pulled out her phone, her vision swimming.
She staggered out of the restroom, struggling to dial, but before the call could connect, a rough hand clamped around her arm. Her breath hitched, terror slicing through the haze.
She spun around, and her heart plumted the mont her gaze landed on a familiar yet unwelcoming face.
"You?"
Jaxon’s face twisted with hatred. "You ruined everything—my life, my family. I’ve been waiting for this mont for so long. Tonight, you’ll taste the hell I’ve endured."
Her phone slipped from her grasp as he yanked her forcefully, dragging her away. She thrashed, shouting, "Let go."
But his grip was iron, unyielding.
On the floor, the phone buzzed, Nathaniel’s na flashing across the screen.
Jaxon dragged her into a nearby lounge and shoved her inside. Zara crashed onto the floor, scraping her palms and bruising her knees. She hissed in pain, but the unbearable heat raging through her body only grew stronger, clouding her thoughts.
For a fleeting mont, all she wanted was to give in and let the fire consu her. But a stubborn voice inside scread at her to resist—to fight, to find help, and to escape.
Summoning what strength she had left, she pushed herself to her feet and staggered toward the door. Jaxon stepped forward, blocking the doorway with a wicked grin, which made her blood run cold. Before she could react, he slipped outside and slamd the door shut, locking it with a sharp click.
"Jaxon!" she cried, panic lacing her voice. She hamred on the door. "Open the door. Let out."
From the other side ca his chilling reply, "Dearest sister, I’ve prepared a little surprise for you tonight. You’ll love it. Enjoy yourself."
He smirked triumphantly as he shoved the lock inside his pocket.
A cold shiver crept down Zara’s spine as she sensed soone else’s presence behind her. She whirled around and froze.
A man stood there, his eyes gleaming with hunger as they raked over her.
Her heart plumted. She staggered back, tears brimming in her eyes. "Don’t co closer," she warned sharply. Her legs were shaking, but her gaze hardened with defiance.
The man smirked, ignoring her words. "So this is the surprise my friends ntioned," he drawled. "I didn’t expect it to be this beautiful." His gaze swept over her with brazen lust. "Co here. Let’s enjoy ourselves tonight."
In a sudden move, he lunged and tried to force his mouth onto hers.
"Get away from ," Zara cried, shoving against him with all her strength. "I’m not your surprise. You are mistaken. Let go."
But he only sneered, his grip tightening. "Don’t act so pure. I know won like you—you’ll do anything for a movie role. Why pretend now?"
Ignoring her protests, he dragged her toward the bed, shoving her down roughly. His jacket hit the floor, and with one swift tug, he loosened his tie. Climbing on top of her, he pinned her beneath his weight.
"No," Zara’s scream tore out. "Help..."
"Shut up," he bellowed, slapping her hard across the face. "Behave, and I’ll be gentle."
"Get off ," she cried, thrashing wildly. But her resistance only enraged him further.
"You stubborn woman," he snarled, yanking her wrists together and binding them tightly with his tie. He forced her arms above her head. "Do you even know who I am? Obey , and I’ll make sure you land a role."
With that, he crushed his lips against her neck, ignoring her desperate struggle.
Revulsion knotted in Zara’s stomach as she writhed beneath him, struggling to break free. But the drug coursing through her veins drained her strength, making her body betray her. No matter how fiercely her mind scread to fight, her limbs faltered, threatening to give in.
She bit hard into the inside of her cheek, clinging to the pain to stay conscious, to stay herself. With every ounce of will she had left, she cried out, "Sobody help ."
Nathaniel quickened his stride down the corridor toward the restroom, his phone pressed to his ear as he dialed Zara again. The call rang out once more, unanswered.
"Where the hell is she?" he muttered, a mix of irritation and unease gnawing at him. He hit redial, and this ti, as he rounded the corner, a faint ringtone reached his ears.
Hope flickered in his chest. She had to be close.
He followed the sound, his pace quickening further, only to stop short at the sight before him.
Her phone lay abandoned on the floor, buzzing relentlessly. There was no sign of Zara.
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