A cold breeze hits your face, waking you from your sleep. The sound of raindrops and the rumble of thunder make your eyes flutter open. Your gaze immediately shifts to the open window, where you can see the trees and leaves outside, drenched by the heavy rain, and flashes of lightning.
A loud clap of thunder suddenly jolted you out of your reverie, startling you. You immediately jumped out of bed and ran to the door—knocking loudly and frantically.
"Nyxi! Nyxi! I'm scared, help me! You said you'd protect me!" you screamed, pounding on the bedroom door frantically.
The fear of past events has left you deeply traumatized. Living with a toxic family that doesn't even acknowledge their daughter's existence is hell for those who experience it. And you are one of them. Living under the shadow of your father's cruelty and your mother's high expectations for your academic achievements has caused this little girl to lose her identity.
Everything about you had to be perfect. Your father wanted you to be the perfect daughter for him, so he could show you off to his friends without the slightest embarrassment. The slightest mistake could land you without food for days—locked in a pitch-black attic.
Until finally, your hero came to your rescue. A man who loved you and cared deeply for you. He fulfilled your every wish, did everything for you. That night, somehow, he managed to take you away from that hell forever.
The door to your room opened, revealing Nyxius rushing in. As soon as you saw him, you instinctively ran into his arms, seeking refuge from the trauma that was beginning to weigh on you.
"Shh... what's wrong, honey? You startled me," he said in his usual gentle tone. You just shook your head, tightening your hug on him while hiding your face in his chest.
He continued to hold you, trying to calm you down. Then the sound of his phone ringing interrupted the moment, not once but several times, showing the urgency of the situation. He simply sighed softly, then gently carried you back to bed. He moved to the window, picked up the phone, and began talking. You continued to stare at him intently. Without blinking an eye. You truly hadn't expected anyone to be so gentle and caring towards you. He truly was your hero, and you would do anything to stay with him.
He noticed your gaze on him, and as soon as the phone was turned off, he immediately walked back towards you—standing straight in front of you as you sat on the headboard, staring at him in awe.
"What?" he asked curtly. You smiled and replied in admiration. "I just think you're absolutely amazing." He raised his eyebrows, then grinned. Slowly, he crouched down to your face level. "Oh, dear. I think I might have given you..." He paused, making you even more curious. "What was that?" you asked without looking away.
"Ah... Stockholm Syndrome." His reply was cynical—a small laugh escaped his lips. Then his gaze fell on your hands, the gentleness on his face disappearing, replaced by a look you couldn't even describe. The smile on your face slowly faded, and you slowly followed his gaze to your hands, which were bound by rope. Reality began to dawn on you.
That the man you considered a hero, Nyxius Xerxes, was actually your kidnapper. He kidnapped you only to threaten your father into returning the company he had seized. And you were his only way out. That's why he cared for and protected you so much all this time—making you, who had never received affection, instantly dependent on him. He knew that by blinding you to 'Stockholm Syndrome', you would turn against your family and defend him. Which would push your father even further to the brink of destruction.
Stockholm syndrome is a psychological response in which victims of crime develop a positive emotional bond, sympathy, or even affection toward the perpetrator, often as a survival mechanism to cope with a traumatic and extreme situation.