The pounding of footsteps grew louder.
Yun Lan gripped her grandmother's hand tightly as her grandfather pulled aside another hidden latch in the dark wooden paneling. "Come, we have to keep moving," he whispered, guiding them deeper into the hidden tunnel behind the house. The passage was narrow and old, with only the dim flicker of a lantern lighting the way.
"What do we do now ?" Yun Lan asked breathlessly.
"To the other side of the estate, near the stable and flower field," her grandfather replied. "We built it long ago in case of emergencies."
They hurried through the tunnel until the end came into sight—a wooden trapdoor leading into a small shed near the horse pen. Yun Lan pressed her ear to the wood, listening. Nothing. No footsteps. No voices.
"Listen to me," she said firmly, turning to her grandparents. "I'll go and draw him away. He won't hurt you if you stay hidden. Please stay here until it's safe."
"No, Yun Lan!" her grandmother cried, her voice breaking. "It's too dangerous!"
Her grandfather hesitated, torn between protecting her and accepting her logic. Yun Lan looked between their worried eyes. "I'll be okay. I promise. He only wants me. Not you."
Finally, they gave a reluctant nod.
Yun Lan climbed through the trapdoor and quietly shut it behind her. The horses neighed softly in the pen nearby, and the sun blazed overhead, painting the field with golden light. Her heart pounded as she approached the horses, choosing the fastest one and untying its reins.
But she wasn't fast enough.
From an upstairs window, Leon caught a glimpse of her. His eyes narrowed as he saw her sprint toward the horses. Fury surged through him. Without hesitation, he leaped from the window, landing hard but agilely, and bolted after her.
"Yun Lan! Stop!" he shouted.
She didn't stop.
Yun Lan flung herself onto the horse, gripping the reins tightly. With a swift kick, the horse bolted forward, galloping into the open field lined with blooming flowers. The wind tore at her clothes and hair, but she didn't look back. She couldn't.
Leon ran full speed to the stable and grabbed a second horse. He mounted quickly, spurred it forward, and chased her, dirt flying beneath the horse's hooves.
Yun Lan rode deeper into the field, the vibrant colors of flowers blurring as she focused on the horizon. She glanced back. Leon was gaining.
But he had a plan.
Leon suddenly pulled the reins and tumbled from the horse, letting out a strangled cry as he hit the ground. His body lay motionless.
Yun Lan turned her head and blinked in confusion. He was no longer behind her.
Her heart clenched.
He might be a monster, but she couldn't just leave someone injured behind.
Cursing her conscience, Yun Lan turned the horse around and rode back toward him. As she neared, she slowed, then slid off the horse, walking cautiously toward the unmoving figure lying among the scattered wildflowers.
"Leon...?" she called. "Leon, are you—"
In a flash, he sprang to life. He grabbed her wrist, yanked her down, and she stumbled into the flowers. Before she could scream, he pinned her beneath him.
Yun Lan gasped, struggling. "You lied! Let me go!"
Leon's eyes darkened. "Fuck you, Yun Lan. You're not getting away from me ever again."
She twisted beneath him. "Get off me!"
But he leaned down and crushed his lips to hers. The kiss was harsh, desperate. She resisted, pushing at his shoulders. But the intensity, the madness in his kiss—it melted something inside her. Slowly, her resistance faded.
She stopped fighting.
For a moment, she leaned into it.
When he finally pulled back, their breathing was heavy. Yun Lan turned her face to the side. "Why did you do that?"
Leon stared at her, eyes burning. "Because I love you. I've been going insane without you."
She narrowed her eyes, but her voice trembled. "I don't care."
He laughed bitterly. "Damn it, Yun Lan. Don't you care at all about me? About how I feel?"
She hesitated—just a second. Then she lied.
"No."
His jaw clenched. Anger and pain warred in his expression. He lowered his head until their foreheads touched, his voice raw. "You're a terrible liar."
She closed her eyes. Her body trembled beneath him—not from fear anymore, but from confusion, frustration, and something far more dangerous.
Desire.
Leon slowly brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. "You don't have to run anymore, Yun Lan. I'm not going to hurt you. I never wanted to. But I'll never let you go."
"That's not love," she whispered.
"Maybe not. But it's mine. And it's all I know."
The wildflowers surrounded them in a sea of color, but the only thing Yun Lan could see was his face, hovering inches from hers.
His dark eyes bore into hers with an intensity that made her pulse race, and not just from fear. There was longing there, desperation, something raw and unguarded that made it impossible for her to look away. She hated him—she should hate him—but in that moment, all her feelings tangled like the wild vines beneath them.
"Let me go," she whispered, her voice trembling.
He didn't move. "Say you didn't feel anything," he dared her, his hand brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. "Say your heart didn't skip when I kissed you."
Yun Lan clenched her jaw. "You tricked me."
"Yes," he admitted, without shame. "Because I knew the only way you'd come back was if I took you myself. But I'd rather have your hate than your silence."
Her throat tightened. His closeness was suffocating, intoxicating. She could smell the faint scent of cedar and leather clinging to him.
"You're insane," she muttered.
"I'm insane for you," he replied, eyes darkening. "And I won't let you go again. Never."
What would will happen in chapter 11.
Will Yun Lan let her heart to love Leon or she would be indiferent.