Maya had been trying to find a balance, between the woman she was before, and the woman Zayed wanted her to become. It wasn’t easy. The weight of his possessiveness was like a shadow that followed her every step, and even when he wasn’t physically near her, she could feel the intensity of his presence in her mind, in her heart.

But today, something had shifted. Something in her refused to be caged any longer.

Maya had never been one to shy away from a challenge. She had always been independent, determined to carve her own path. And even now, as she adjusted to her growing pregnancy, that independence fought to remain a part of her. She wasn’t just Zayed’s wife. She wasn’t just a vessel for his child. She was still Maya.

And for the first time in weeks, she decided to take control of her day. Zayed had been busy with business matters, and the palace felt strangely empty without him. She had every intention of enjoying this time alone.

The morning had been perfect. She had a light breakfast, spent some time in the gardens, and felt free. She even ventured to the art gallery in the palace, admiring the paintings and sculptures, feeling a sense of peace that had eluded her for so long.

But all of that was about to change.

As Maya wandered through the gallery, lost in the beauty of the artwork, she heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps. Zayed’s presence flooded the room before he even entered, his aura commanding and powerful.

“Where have you been?” His voice was calm, but there was a thread of tension in it. “I’ve been looking for you.”

Maya froze, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn’t need to turn around to know that his eyes were already on her, studying her every move.

“I was just looking around,” she said, trying to sound casual, but her voice betrayed her. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks as she turned to face him.

Zayed took a step closer, his eyes narrowing as he assessed her. “You’ve been out in the gardens for over an hour, Maya. You haven’t eaten properly today. Do you think you can just ignore me?”

“I was just trying to get some air,” she replied, her voice softer now, though there was a hint of rebellion in it. She was tired of being under his watch constantly, of being told what to do and when to do it.

Zayed’s expression darkened, his lips pressing into a tight line. He closed the distance between them, his hand shooting out to grip her wrist with an iron hold. “You think you can roam freely without my permission? You think I won’t notice?”

The tension between them crackled in the air. Maya could feel the heat of his anger radiating off of him, and for a brief moment, she wondered if she had pushed him too far. But then, the rebellious part of her—her true self—pushed back.

“I don’t belong to you like that, Zayed,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “I’m not some prisoner.”

Zayed’s jaw clenched, his grip tightening on her wrist, his dark eyes filled with a mix of fury and something else—something that felt like… possessiveness.

“You are mine,” he growled, his voice low and dangerous. “I have made it clear, Maya. You belong to me. Everything about you belongs to me.”

Maya tried to pull away, but he didn’t let her. She wasn’t sure whether it was the force of his grip or the way he was looking at her, as if she were a precious object he could never let go of, but the words hit her hard.

“Let go of me,” she said, her voice stronger this time, though her heart was racing. She wasn’t afraid—she was frustrated. “I’m not yours to command all the time.”

The words hung between them, thick with tension. Zayed stared at her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a sudden movement, he released her wrist, but his hand lingered on her arm, the weight of his touch more possessive than before.

“I’ll let go of you when I’m sure you understand your place, Maya,” he said quietly, his voice a dangerous whisper. “When I know that you won’t disobey me again.”

Maya’s heart pounded, her breathing shallow. His words cut deeper than she expected, and something inside her stirred—a feeling of defiance, yes, but also a deep desire to submit, to surrender to him completely.

But before she could respond, there was a sudden noise from outside. A soft sound, but enough to catch both of their attention. Zayed’s gaze immediately shifted to the door, his protective instincts kicking in.

Maya’s eyes widened when she realized what had happened. A servant had entered the room, carrying a tray of food, and they had inadvertently witnessed the scene. She felt her heart drop into her stomach.

Zayed turned to the servant, his expression icy. “Leave. Now.”

The servant, clearly frightened, dropped the tray and fled, leaving Maya and Zayed alone again. Maya felt a shiver of unease run down her spine as she turned back to Zayed, her eyes meeting his with a mixture of fear and anticipation.

Zayed’s gaze softened for a moment before he reached for her, pulling her close. “No one,” he whispered, his lips brushing her forehead, “can see you like that. Not again. Do you understand?”

Maya nodded, her breath catching in her throat. There was no mistaking the depth of his obsession now. It was suffocating, all-consuming, and she wasn’t sure whether she loved it or hated it.

But in that moment, all she could feel was the weight of his control, of his obsession. And a small part of her couldn’t deny the thrill that surged through her as she realized just how deep his love, his possessiveness, went.