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SABINA's POV

I tried wiggling out of his tight grasp but to no avail as he was physically stronger than me.

"Don't touch me! Let me go!" Even though it was almost futile, I did my best to fight for my freedom. Just seeing his face was enough for my stomach to lurch. Feeling his mucky hands on me was worst.

"Stop struggling, Sabina, before I lose my patience with you!" His menacing voice held warning as he continued on dragging me toward the gate.

"Let go of her! You don't have the right to force someone to be with you against their will even if she's your wife!" Father Nicolas' steps came to a halt and looked back at Akira who was still standing at the doorway while staring back at Father Nicolas bravely.

"What did you just say?" Akira tottered toward us, almost limping in pain, but with determined look on her face.

"You heard what I've said. Sabina obviously doesn't want to have anything to do with you so man up and let her go." Father Nicolas' eyes flashed in anger and I thought, he would attack Akira but a condescending laugh erupted from his mouth.

"Look who's talking. Didn't you do the same thing? I didn't want to have anything to do with you and yet, you were the one who came to me, saying that you would do everything that I wanted for me to accept you. This only shows that we got cut from the same cloth, Akira.

"Even after dad welcomed you with opened arms, that didn't stop you from craving for my attention. Isn't it ironic that you're saying that now? Do you want me to remind you where you stand in all this? Aren't those bruises enough or do you want another reminder?"

"You were the one who did this to her." I uttered while looking at him full of disgust.

He smirked. "Yes, because I needed to teach her a lesson. But you know what? You were the reason why this happened to her in the first place."

"What do you mean?" I questioned with a stoic face. My wrist was turning red because of his tight grip.

"Well, she was drawn by your kindness and had almost forgotten about her mission. Even after all the training she's been through, that wasn't enough to change her personality completely. Her promises to do her mission efficiently were nothing but pie in the sky. She's nothing but a big disappointment, from birth until now." His voice held abhorrence and hostility and I caught the pain that passed through Akira's eyes.

Even though those were nothing but words, the effect on Akira was grave. It seemed that Father Nicolas knew how to target Akira's weakness, enough to crash her even without putting a hand on her.

"Enough with the talking. Fix yourself, Akira. If you still want your reward then come with us. I knew you were planning something when you weren't answering my calls and texts. I just didn't expect that you would actually lure her here for me. For that, I will forget the fact that you were plotting something behind my back." He then continued on dragging me until we reached outside the gate.

I saw my car and tried to call Dan's attention. There weren't any neighbors nearby and the only help I could expect was his and my bodyguards but no one came to m rescue.

"Dan, help!" But strangely, he wasn't moving in the driver's seat. When we walked past the car, my eyes widened when I saw the blood on his shirt. It appears that Dan was unconscious or worst, already dead. I screamed in horror.

I spotted my bodyguards' car nearby but it seemed that they got them too.

"What have you done to Dan and my bodyguards?!" Father Nicolas laughed.

"Your boyfriend is stupid, hiring incompetent driver/bodyguards for you. My men didn't even break a sweat taking them down. There were always bodyguards around you that's why we had a hard time getting you. Thankfully, Akira accomplished the job for us this time." That was when I noticed the van behind my car. Father Nicolas held up his hand as if signaling someone from the inside of the car to come out.

The passenger door and driver's door opened and two men wearing black suits came out. One of them slid open the sliding door while the driver strode his way towards us.

"Are we going to leave now, Father Nicolas?"

"Why are you asking the obvious, idiot?" The guy looked past us, to the gate.

"Because Ms. Akira isn't here yet."

"Damn it! Go and get her!" The guy obliged and entered the premises. Later on, he was already with Akira who was quiet and couldn't meet my eyes. When they forced me to get inside the van, I did my best to fight them and scream for help but my efforts were in fruitless.

While we were on our way to only God knows where, I couldn't help but to cry hopelessly as I thought about Xzavier.

Ever since the incident in Switzerland, he'd been extra careful especially when it comes to my welfare. Whenever I went out, he never let me go out without bodyguards discreetly following me behind. I thought, he was being too paranoid and told him that I even told him that I didn't need any bodyguard earlier. But even after his efforts to protect me, they still got me.

"It's hopeless now, Sabina. You should reserve your strength and energy and think of any way to escape. This is entirely my fault but don't worry, I'll do everything to help you out of this. Everything will be alright." I was surprised when I heard Akira's voice. We were the only ones sitting in the back passenger seat of the van while Father Nicolas was in the middle passenger seat.

"I can't believe you're this monster's daughter." I couldn't hide the bitterness and resentment in my voice.

"Not by choice, Sabina."

"What are you two discussing about?" I almost jump out of my seat upon hearing Father Nicolas' sharp voice.

"Nothing. Can we stop by the filling station? I really need to use the toilet." Father Nicolas turned his head to our direction, his face held suspicion.

"Don't worry. You can accompany me inside if you want to. I really need to use the toilet." Akira squeezed my hand, silently conveying a message.

"If you do something that I don't like, Akira, you know what will happen to you so don't you dare." Father Nicolas threatened and Akira nodded her head.

I chose to remain quiet the whole time and after about 15 minutes, we finally stopped by the filling station.

"Carlo, accompany Akira to the toilet and don't get your eyes off her even for a second, you hear me? Tell the others to be alert."

"Others?" I parroted and he smirked.

"Yes. Do you think, I only have two men with me? I came here prepared so you should think twice before doing something crazy because I will not hesitate to harm anyone who would try to get on my way." The vileness of his words crept within me and it sent cold chills down my spine. I knew that he wasn't kidding one bit and I got worried of what Akira was planning.

As per Father Nicolas' instruction, the guy named Carlo accompanied her to the toilet.

"This is actually a surprise, Sabina. I didn't expect that you would be this quiet." Father Nicolas said when we were the only ones left inside the vehicle. The other guy was filling up the car with fuel.

"You're an evil. I can't believe that a guy like you is one of the leaders of Safe Haven." Instead of getting angry of my remark, he laughed.

"Say whatever you want to say, Sabina, because whether you like it or not, you belong to me now. I finally managed to take you back from that Montaño. Until now, I still can't believe that that punk managed to trick me like that."

I gritted my teeth. "I only belong to Xzavier so don't you dare say that! Yes, you have the advantage right now but sooner or later, he will surely take you down." His laughed became louder.

"Sorry, Sabina. I regret to mention that your dear boyfriend is already dead by now for sure. Did you really think that I would attack without prior plans? You really don't know me. He had you for three years but that's it. The coming years will be my turn." Just imagining myself being with him repulsed me that it made me sick.

"You call me evil but what about him? Do you even know what lies behind that mask of his? You know nothing about him and I pity you for that."

"I don't know what you're talking about and I certainly don't need your pity. I know Xzavier enough to know that he's a good person." He clucked his tongue a couple of times while shaking his head.

"It seems like you're still the naïve and innocent Sabina that I used to know. Montaño is far from being a saint, my dear wife."

"Don't talk about him as if you know him well! He's nothing like you! And don't ever address me as your wife because I never was and never will!" Instead of getting pissed, he chuckled. It seemed that he was enjoying every minute of our conversation.

"Poor you, Sabina. You failed to see the real him even though you've been living together. Don't worry because I will enlighten you. Soon, you will finally open your eyes and see the real him." I shook my head vigorously.

"I will never believe anything that comes from your dirty mouth!" His eyes turned into slits and was about to retaliate when Akira and Carlo finally came back.

"Are you sure she didn't do anything there?" Father Nicolas asked Carlo with squinted eyes.

"Don't worry, boss. I kept an eye on her. Well, I couldn't get in the cubicle with her but I assure you that everything went well."

"Good. Now, let's go." With every second that I spent with these people, I grew hopeless and scared knowing that I was going farther away from Xzavier and my family.

"You should relax, Sabina, so that your mind would be clear when we arrive. We have a lot of things to do so ready yourself."

"Do those things by yourself because I will never do it."

"Oh, yes, you will. I'll make sure of that." I could see the delight of triumph on his face and it only added to my rage.

"What do you really want from me? We haven't seen each other for years so why try to destroy my life now? I've never done anything to you. In fact, we both know that you were the one who committed an unforgiveable crime towards me."

"You were the one who made me do those things, Sabina. If you weren't so stubborn, I wouldn't've done those things." I looked at him incredulously. The nerve of this vile man...

But even though I wanted nothing but to shout at him in anger, I bit my tongue.

"Where are you taking me?" My voice was cold.

He smirked. "Don't worry. You'll like it there. Let's just say that I'm going to take you to where you belong." My fists tightened, thinking that I should do something now before they succeeded on taking me away.

It was a life and death situation and I would gladly welcome death rather than to be this monster's wife. Better to fight until the end...

I was about to begin my plan of a surprise attack when I felt Akira's hand on my wrist, obviously stopping me. I looked at her and I was right. She was looking at me reprovingly, silently telling me not to do whatever I was planning in mind.

I gave her a challenging look but she shook her head as her hand tightened around my wrist. I winced and fiercely tried to pull back my hand but she didn't let go, determined to stop me.

Then, from the corner of my eye, I noticed that we exited the freeway, heading towards the direction of the nearest pier in town. I could already see the ocean from afar and later on, the car indeed entered the pier where a ship was waiting at the dock.

"Why are we here?" Father Nicolas just laughed but didn't answer. My eyes widened when I noticed that the van was entering inside the roro ship through a passage way. I panicked even more.

"No! I refuse to come with you! Let me go!" I desperately tried opening the door but it was locked.

"Open the door! Let me out of here! Let me out!"

"Quiet!" I jumped when Father Nicolas snapped in anger while glaring at me. "One more word from you and I'll make sure to knock you out until we arrived at our destination. You don't want me to resort into that, Sabina, so don't test my patience!"

"You—"

"—That's enough, Sabina. Listen to him." Akira spoke while squeezing my hand and Father Nicolas scoffed.

"Yes, calm her down, Akira. Make yourself useful even for once." When the car stopped and everything was into place, we finally got out of the car.

"Carlo, call Captain Simons and ask him if everything has already been settled. If so, tell him to set sail. We need to be there as soon as we can." Carlo did as he was told. After about a minute, he disconnected and faced Father Nicolas.

"Everything's settled, Father Nicolas. We'll set sail any moment now." While listening to that, I wanted to take off and find my way out of there but his men were around us and even if I tried, I wouldn't be able to fight them off.

Akira was right. I needed to calm down while trying my best to think of any away to escape before everything was too late. But panic was eating my concentration away.

"Let's go then. I need to talk to the others on the top deck." As if we were on a parade, we headed to the top deck.

I didn't have any choice but to just walk behind Father Nicolas alongside Akira while Father Nicolas's men were behind us, making sure that we wouldn't dare do something that they didn't like. What made me terrified were the guns that each of those men were carrying, ready for any surprise attack.

I saw some armed men on our way to the top deck and it frightened me even more, slowly growing hopeless knowing that there were many of them.

"Father Nicolas. It's good to see you." I looked at the middle-aged man who came met us on the top deck. It wasn't difficult to guess that he was the captain just by seeing his uniform.

"I feel the same, Captain Simons. I'm glad that you agreed to take us to our destination." They shook hands.

"Of course. I can't say no to your father after everything that he'd done for me." The corner of Father Nicolas' lips twitched as he smirked.

"That's a true supporter and friend there. Anyway, I'd like you to meet my wife." To my surprise he suddenly wrapped his arm around my waist and I instinctively pushed him away. His touch felt so dirty and it made me shiver in disgust.

"Don't touch me!"

Captain Simons laughed. "It seems like this pussycat right here is giving you a hard time." I could see Father Nicolas' jaw clenching in anger while looking at me. But I lifted my chin defiantly, meeting his sharp gaze courageously.

"I'll make sure that you will regret that." He uttered in my ear with a low voice before he faced Captain Simons. "That's what I like about her. I never get bored whenever I'm with her."

Captain Simons laughed. "Well, that's interesting, I suppose. Anyway, I need to talk to you about something else, if you have time."

"Of course." Father Nicolas summoned Carlo and whispered something in his ear before exiting the top deck with Captain Simons. I sighed in relief and held tightly on the taffrail.

"You should bite your tongue, Sabina. You don't want to anger him." I looked at Akira and saw the concern in her eyes.

"Why are telling me this now when you were the one who practically handed me to him?" My voice was full of resentment. "I treated you like a friend and yet, you turned to be a traitor and stabbed me in the back."

Pain and guilt registered on her face. "I'm sorry, Sabina. I didn't mean to harm you. I thought...I really thought differently about you because he planted false information about you in my mind. He used my weakness and used me to get what he'd been wanting for. That's you.

"When you came to my place earlier, I was shocked, because I didn't expect you to come. My phone was missing and I didn't know where could it be. Now, everything became clear. He was the one who stole it. He planned all this to lure you to my place. I should've known." She chuckled mirthlessly.

"When you saw me earlier, you asked me what happened to me, right? Well, this happened to me because he caught me trying to flee because I couldn't take what I was doing anymore. Before getting to know you, I had the worst image of you not to mention that I was full of hope that after this mission, I could finally gain his affection as a father.

"He promised me that after this one 'favor', he would finally accept me as his daughter." She laughed humorlessly once again while shaking my head. "What a gullible and naïve girl I was and when I realized that, it was already too late. The first thing that came to my mind was to abandon everything and just go home but he saw through me and taught me a lesson.

"With every hit, I came to realize that no matter what I do to prove myself to him, I would never be enough for him. I shouldn't've been surprised about that because he never wanted me from the moment I was still in my mother's womb." My throat constricted as my heart reached out to her.

"It still hurt though, immensely." She looked up, trying her hardest to stop her tears from falling. I remained quiet, waiting for her to gather herself together.

She cleared her throat after about a minute or so. "I tried sending you away when you came over but he already arrived. Forgive me, Sabina. You didn't deserve any of this. Don't worry because everything will be alright." Her lips curved with a sad smile. Seeing her like that, I finally saw the real Akira without any pretentions at all.

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Do you think Sabina could escape? 

Is this the end for Sabina and Xzavier?

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