The room smelled of the underlying aroma of cigarette smoke. Snubbing the last nub of cigarette, Enger lit another. His eyes briefly shifted to the cigarette butts on the floor before his gaze seeped towards the sea through windows.

He had this worst habit once but gave up the obsession because Leena hates smoking. But, today, Enger felt agitated even when Leena was staying by his side. Many questions were running through his mind. How will she react to him? If not for the betrayal from that woman, he wouldn't have gone along this path.

Enger snapped at the door when he heard the whispers echoed inside. ''How is she, Ellie?'' He asked the doctor.

''I checked her condition as you said, Enger,'' Ellie said. ''She is good.''

.

''Did she wake up?'' Enger spoke, rolling the cigarette.

''Not yet.'' She replied. ''But nothing to worry about. Her health is perfectly fine.''

Enger hummed. ''You can leave. I will call if I need your help.''

Ellie nodded but halted when she remembered the most important thing. She fidgeted, considering the thought of telling him or let it aside.

''What's wrong?'' Enger turned around. ''Is something wrong with Leena?'' Those bastards! He told them to bring his beloved unharmed, but they delivered her into his arms completely unconscious. His heart pained to see her in that condition.

''No..no..nothing wrong,'' Elle said. ''When I examined her body, I found her pulse rate was higher than usual. I don't jump to conclusions without proper tests, but with my experience, I can say there is a chance that she might be pregnant.'' The doctor's last words were barely a whisper. Enger's darkness mirrored her soul.

Enger felt like a bucket of cold water dropped on his head. Pregnant with his child! Like hell, he is going to allow his child into this world. He knew a decision was already made. ''Give the abortion pills.''

Ellie's eyes widened. He want to kill the baby? What kind of sick love is that? Did I make a mistake telling him the truth? ''No, Enger. Please don't do that. Killing a fetus in a mother's womb is the biggest sin. She will never forgive you if one day she knows the truth. Besides, I might also be mistaken. I am not quite sure if she is pregnant.''

''I hate when I have to listen to someone's suggestions.'' Enger lazily added on and glanced at the man standing by the door. ''Steven.''

''Yes sir,''

''Tell aunt Milana to prepare lunch for Leena and banana smoothie. Add the pills by yourself into all the dishes without putting doubt on the maids.''

''Yes, sir.'' Steven, before leaving, nodded his head and dragged the doctor with him.

''It's just a fetus. She will never know the truth.'' He brought Leena far away to live a happy life together as a family. She might not accept him now or, worse, resent him for all the mistakes he made, but for how long? She can never escape from this place. Slowly but surely, she will have to accept him. The thorn of his seed will always remind her of his memory if he doesn't cut it now.

With the bubbled-up thoughts running through his mind, Enger strolled out of the room, opened Leena's room door to check up on her. She was still sleeping. He gently closed the door shut and made his way down the hallway towards the basement through the secret door.

Two guards standing on either side of the large shutter door lifted it upon Enger's orders.

''Did you guys miss my torture? I am back.'' At Enger's words, three heads snapped to his face. Brutally wounded, Morvena's legs and hands tied up to the pillar with sizeable silver shackles. Winter's condition was a little better. The funniest thing was the third person was none other than Nash. His condition was much worse than Morvena.

With a malicious glint, Enger stared at Morvena. ''It's a wonder that my sister-in-law helped a stranger recover his memories.'' He then cast a look at Nash. ''I am still in wonder that my best friend ditched me and helped my ex-wife behind my back. What do I do with you, three betrayers? Hmmm?'' He didnot understand why Nash had stopped him from going to Russia in the past. So, he let Steven investigate secretly, and all the truths fell into place.

''I gave you a chance, but you never listened.'' Enger's eyes gazed intently at Morvena. ''Get ready to become the lab rat for the brain experiment our scientists recently adopted.'' Having said that, Enger went off, the shutter closed behind him, turning into darkness once again.

''Did you contact Devin, sister?'' Winter weakly whispered. She was fine yesterday morning. After her continuous persistence, Morvena gave Nick's number. She even texted him. How did she come back to the monster's den again?

''He is not available to my reach,'' Morvena muttered. With Leena's disappearance, his thoughts are filled with her alone, and she is finding it difficult to contact him.

''Try again.''

''I am losing my energy, Winter. Talking through thoughts requires more energy. If Devin doesn't respond_''

''Try talking to Leena,'' Winter said.

''What's the use? She is just like us staying here. A victim to Enger. How will she be a help?'' Morvena questioned back. That bastard abducted her when she was asleep and injured her to the point that she couldn't use her energy.

''I am pretty sure Leena will figure out something. Please do it, Morvena.'' Winter then turned to Nash. ''Did you hear that, Nash? My sister doesn't have much energy. Only you know the in and out of this place. If we have to escape, we need your support, Nash.''

''I can't betray Enger_''

''You still think about the monster again? I agree that he saved your life. You have served him enough. What did you get in return?'' Winter's question deeply provoked Nash's emotions.

''We three will die in his hands if we don't act now. Do you want to die here filled with regret? It's now or never, Nash.''

He looked at his bruises, and his last straw broke.

.....historical

Meanwhile, Leena woke up hearing the faint whispers. She glanced at the two women who stood in front of her with a food trolley.

''Who brought me here?'' Leena questioned. ''Bring that coward who kidnapped me here.''

Aunt Milana gulped. Her guts! She had never seen someone challenge this psycho. ''Sir may talk with you later.'' Why do this psycho keep torturing girls? Brushing the thoughts aside, Aunt Milana said. ''I brought lunch for you.'' She looks very calm. Unlike others, she is not freaking out. Is this what they call calm before the storm?

''I am not hungry.'' Replied Leena straightaway. Who knows what kind of poison he had added?

''You haven't eaten anything since you came here. Please don't starve yourself, child. It's not good for health. There is no poison in this food.'' Aunt Milana took a bite from all the dishes for Leena's assurance. ''See, nothing happened. I am fine.''

She hasn't eaten anything since yesterday night. Honestly, she found no appetite to eat. Every time she closed her eyes, Devin's face would haunt her. It's not even a day, Leena missed him badly. She wanted to go home and run into his arms.

Leena stared at the food. Even with no appetite, she has to fill her stomach for the sake of her tiny one. With that, Leena's eyes shifted to the banana smoothie. ''I will have the juice.'' Leena grabbed the banana juice.