Adrik had just returned to the room after successfully executing his devilish plan. He thought Soha was asleep. But as he stepped closer to the bed in the dim light, he suddenly realized—Soha was awake.
She moved silently and came to stand behind him. Adrik was wearing a white shirt, its buttons loosely undone. Without saying a word, Soha slipped both her hands inside his shirt from behind and slowly ran them over his solid body.
Adrik flinched at the unexpected touch. Electricity seemed to surge through his veins. Moments ago, he had been plotting with ruthless cruelty—yet under Soha's intimacy, he flushed with a mix of shame and arousal. The intoxicating hunger in her eyes melted all his hardness.
Feeling the warmth of his body, Soha drew him in. Adrik could no longer restrain himself. He turned abruptly and pulled her against his chest. Her white nightdress and his white shirt blended together as if becoming one.
Adrik bent down and pressed a fierce, deep kiss against her soft lips. Tonight, Soha responded—forgetting hatred, surrendering to the moment. Whether it was the lingering effect of drugs or the fear of loneliness, it was impossible to tell. But Adrik's flushed face and Soha's surrender made the night feel even more mysterious.
Between kisses, Adrik whispered, "Why are you so reckless tonight, Soha? Don't you know—this love will never let you escape me?"
Soha gave no reply. She only held him tighter. Yet at the corner of her eye, a single tear glistened. Did she truly love him—or was she hiding a much larger move behind this kiss?
Morning arrived, sweet sunlight spreading across the island. The salty sea breeze softened the strange memories of the previous night. The six-month-old baby slept deeply in Soha's arms, its tiny face resting peacefully against her chest.
Wrapped in a large shawl, Soha walked into the palace garden.
As she reached the outer lawn, she encountered the church priest and the Muslim cleric—both of whom Adrik had summoned the previous night to "drive away the evil shadow."
Soha stopped. Her eyes were filled with questions. She saw the priest and the cleric speaking to each other in hushed tones. The moment they noticed her, both fell silent and bowed respectfully.
Soha (suspiciously): "You're still here? Then what happened last night… was it real? Is this island truly cursed?"
The cleric hesitated, glancing at the sleeping child in her arms. Then he sighed deeply.
Cleric: "Mother, the existence of jinn cannot be denied. But sometimes, darkness lives inside human hearts as well. Please—be careful."
Soha tried to piece things together. Turning to the priest, she asked, "Father… do you believe my children are in danger?"
The priest touched the cross at his neck and replied in broken Bangla, "Children are pure. Evil cannot easily touch them. But mother—sometimes the devil changes his form and sits very close, pretending to be someone dear. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Soha froze.
Was the priest hinting at Adrik?
The hand in the bathroom… Adrik's strange smile… Was it all staged?
The baby stirred and let out a soft "hmmmm" in its sleep—exactly like Adrik. Soha's heart skipped. Were last night's intimate moments truly her own choice, or had Adrik trapped her once again in a psychological web?
She walked past the priest and cleric and hurried toward the palace.
At that moment, she saw Adrik standing on the balcony, a cup of coffee in his hand, watching her. His devilish smile had not faded even in the morning light.
Soha sat on a large wooden swing in the beautifully arranged garden. The baby slept peacefully in her lap. She wore a pure white morning dress, her face clouded with deep thought. The swing rocked gently. Beside her stood her loyal maid, always following her like a shadow.
Soha noticed the maid was unusually quiet. Her eyes were swollen—as if she had been crying for a long time. The priest's and cleric's cryptic words hammered inside Soha's mind.
Soha (in a very low voice): "You were outside our room last night. Tell me honestly—did you really see any shadow? Or was it all a staged performance?"
The maid jolted. She glanced around nervously, as if afraid someone might overhear, then leaned close.
Maid (whispering): "My lady… I am a small person. If I speak, the master will skin me alive. But I swear on your innocent child—what happened last night is nothing compared to the greater devil roaming this palace. The man you think is your protector… his game runs far deeper."
Soha stopped the swing. Her blood turned cold.
Soha: "Then… that 'devil' is Adrik himself? He orchestrated everything?"
Before the maid could answer, heavy boots echoed across the garden. She quickly stepped away, lowering her head and pretending nothing had happened.
Adrik approached slowly, an expensive cigar in his hand. In the harsh sunlight, his green eyes gleamed like a cat's. He sat on the swing beside Soha, causing it to tilt.
Adrik (exhaling smoke): "What's going on, Soha? Such secret discussions with the maid? Is the island air planting new doubts in your mind?"
Soha hugged the baby tightly. She no longer knew whom to trust—the maid, or the man beside her who claimed to love and protect her, yet did not hesitate to whip her when needed.
Adrik leaned closer and tugged lightly at her hair.
Adrik: "Tell me—what was she saying? Was she trying to scare you again? Should I send her away from this island?"
Soha's heart pounded. She knew what "sending away" meant in Adrik's language.
She glanced at the maid. Pure terror filled the girl's eyes. Soha knew—if she spoke the truth now, the girl's body would be floating in the sea by nightfall.
Soha took a deep breath, swallowed her hatred and suspicion, and turned to Adrik with a forced smile—one her eyes did not support.
Soha (calmly): "No, Adrik. You're misunderstanding her. She was saying that after you called the cleric and priest to purify the house, she feels much more at peace. She was praising you—saying how carefully you take care of us."
The sharpness in Adrik's gaze softened slightly. He shot the maid a sideways glance, then turned back to Soha and smiled that familiar sinister smile.
Adrik (taking a drag): "Is that so? Good to hear. I thought she might be feeding you more supernatural nonsense. You know how these low people exaggerate."
He placed a hand on Soha's shoulder. She shuddered inwardly but held herself together. She understood now—if she wanted to survive on this island, she would have to learn how to act just like Adrik.
Soha (changing the subject): "The baby's been sleeping for a long time. I think I'll take him inside. And… are you going to the city today? Or will you be with us all day?"
Adrik's eyes drifted to the dark hickey on her neck, clearly visible in the morning light. Leaning close to her ear, he whispered,
Adrik: "The city? No, Soha. I'm not going anywhere today. I'll be with you and the children all day. Especially you… We didn't really get the chance to talk properly last night."
From his tone, Soha understood—tonight would be even harder. Adrik would not let her out of his sight for a moment.
Just then, the Muslim cleric walked past the swing. He glanced at Soha and discreetly gestured with his hand
"Be careful."
From the palace balcony, the view of the sea was soothing to the eyes. Miles and miles of lush green grass stretched endlessly, ending only where the bluish sea began. The salty scent of the ocean blended seamlessly with the sweet fragrance of the grass. Rising from the swing, Soha slowly walked across the meadow toward the shoreline.
The wind was stronger today. Soha's long, silky hair turned unruly, flying freely in the air. Her white dress clung to her body with each gust, giving her an almost ethereal beauty. She tightened her hold around the sleeping baby in her arms.
Adrik stood just behind her. His own disheveled hair danced in the wind, adding a wild sharpness to his striking features. He watched Soha with captivated eyes. For a fleeting moment, the devilish don seemed to transform into a lover. Adrik stepped closer and came to stand beside her. Other than the roar of the sea and the whistle of the wind, there was no sound around them.
Adrik (gazing at her flying hair): "Do you know, Soha—between this blue sea and these green fields, you look like a celestial nymph. Sometimes I feel like locking you inside a glass cage for a lifetime, so that no one but the wind can ever touch you."
Shielding her eyes from the gusts, Soha glanced at Adrik. In the sunlight, his pupils shone a translucent green, like a cat's. Strands of his hair fell across his forehead. Without realizing it, Soha was mesmerized for a brief moment by his beauty.
Soha (with a faint smile): "You've already caged me, Adrik. But can freedom ever survive inside a cage? One day or another, it always finds a way out."
Adrik caught a loose strand of her hair and wound it around his finger. Leaning down, he inhaled its scent deeply, then whispered close to her ear
Adrik: "Then I'll become that wind myself the one that surrounds you all the time. Where will you run, Soha? I haven't kept a single boat on this island for you to cross that sea."
Soha stared at the ocean. In the vast expanse of water, they truly were alone. Adrik's irresistible charm and terrifying addiction were wrapping around her tighter and tighter, like an inescapable web.The atmosphere on the cliffside shifted instantly from scenic to predatory. Soha looked at the maid, her voice trembling but firm. "Take him," she whispered, handing the sleeping infant over. "Go inside. Now."
The maid nodded fearfully and hurried back toward the villa, leaving Soha alone with the man who was both her captor and her addiction.
As soon as they were alone, the pretense of the "protective father" vanished. Adrik stepped into her space, his green eyes darkening with a familiar, dangerous hunger. The wind roared around them, but the heat radiating from his body was more intense.
He didn't say a word. He wrapped his powerful arms around her, pulling her back against his hard chest. His large hand slid beneath the thin silk of her white night dress, his skin rough and hot against her soft, cool flesh. Soha gasped, her head falling back against his shoulder as his touch traveled with possessive intent.
Adrik's movements were deliberate and ruthless. He moved his hand lower, his fingers finding their way to her most intimate place, entering her with a sudden, forceful claim of ownership.
Soha (arching her back, a sharp cry escaping her):
"Ahhh... Adrik!"
The sound of her voice seemed to push him over the edge. He didn't slow down; instead, he increased the pace, his fingers moving faster and harder inside her. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent mixed with the salt of the sea, letting out a deep, guttural sound from his throat.
Adrik:
"Hmmmm..."
It was the same sound the baby made—vibrant, primal, and terrifyingly similar. He held her so tightly she could barely breathe, his body vibrating with a dark triumph. In this moment, under the open sky and the watchful eye of the ocean, he wasn't just touching her; he was reclaiming his territory, making sure she felt every bit of his power.
Soha's knees felt weak, her fingers digging into his muscular forearms for support. She was trapped between the crushing weight of his desire and the vast emptiness of the island.Adrik noticed Soha looking at the horizon, but instead of pulling away, he grew even more possessive. He didn't want her eyes on anything but him. He grabbed her waist and pulled her even tighter against his hard chest, his grip firm and unyielding.
Soha gasped as the sudden force pressed her body against his. The baby shifted slightly in her arms, still lost in a deep slumber, but Adrik didn't care. He was consumed by a sudden, wild urge to mark his territory once again.
Adrik (in a low, growling voice):
"Don't look at the sea, Soha. Look at me. There is no escape, not by boat, not by prayer. You are stuck here with your devil."
He buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent even more intensely than before. His breath was hot against her skin, contrasting with the cold sea breeze. He began to trail rough, burning kisses along her collarbone, his hands moving possessively over the silk of her dress.
Soha (breathless, trembling):
"Adrik... stop... the kids... anyone could see us..."
But Adrik was beyond listening. He bit her shoulder lightly, a sharp reminder of his dominance, before looking up at her with those bloodshot, emerald eyes. The wind was roaring now, making his hair dance wildly around his face. He looked truly demonic, yet hauntingly handsome in the morning light.
Suddenly, he scooped both Soha and the baby up in his massive arms. He began walking back towards the villa with long, predatory strides.
Adrik:
"Let them look. Let the whole world see that you belong to me. Today, the island belongs to us, and I have no intention of letting you out of my sight for even a second."
Soha felt a surge of fear mixed with a strange, dark electricity. She realized that the more she tried to pull away, the harder and more aggressive Adrik became. He was like a storm—the more you fought it, the more it destroyed everything in its path.