awake from a terrible nightmare. But this was no dream; it was my harsh reality. Cold w

ing light filtered through the curtains, casting a pallid glow over his features. His face bore a stern expression, the lines of his jaw and

with anger and impatience, and I could feel the ten

ightly, hoping to will myself back to the happier dream I had been lost in just moments ago. But the harsh reality

of his actions a painful reminder of the harsh reality. My cheeks

on etched into his features. His dark hair was disheveled, a contrast to the calculated pre

I realized that the moments of kindness and affection I had expe

ed through the curtains. I sat there, my body trembling, as I tried to make sense of this abrupt awakening. It was yet

heavy silence. I could hear the faint hum of the air conditioning and the distan

d shoulders tense beneath the fabric of his black t-shirt. I watched his movements, the rigidness of his posture, as he gaz

onstant push and pull of emotions that left me feeling adrift in a sea of unce

and I knew that this was not a moment of respite. He had n

authority, and I knew that there was no room for protest. I obey

just vacated was neatly made, a stark contrast to the chaos that had unfolded in the previous moments. The

. He watched my every move, his eyes unwavering, as if daring me to challenge his au

en's presence loomed over me, a constant reminder of my submission. As I picked up the scattered clo

, desperately trying to meet his expectations. My heart a

barely above a whisper, the weight

there was no room for excuses. My eyes welled with tears, but

mechanical and precise, as I scrubbe

ooking at him with a glimmer of hope. But hope, it seemed, was in short suppl

y detail. His expression remained stern, and I couldn't help but

," he stated, his voice firm, and my he

y nodded, my body weary from the never-ending task. The room was a testament to m

ht in a cycle of perpetual submission. With a deep breath, I

rked, I felt the tears welling up in my eyes, blurring my vision. I tried to wipe them away di

posture. He watched me with an intensity that left no room for defiance. It was as

ble. I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief, even if it was temporar

. Lucien's voice cut through the

kitchen and ma

e was immense, and I knew that there was no room for error. Wi

ed. Dishes were piled high in the sink, and the remnants of yesterday's meals were scatte

ent in this very room, preparing meals for Lucien. It was a constant reminder o

linking of plates echoing through the kitchen. The smell of soap and cleaning supplies

the kitchen in a much-improved state. With a sense of relief, I turned to prepare breakfast fo

a simple breakfast, but I had made it with care, hoping to meet his expectations

go, his voice stop

st I hadn't anticipated, a stark departure from his usual behavior. My min

d with an uneasy tension, and I couldn't begin to fathom wha

g heart, I took a seat beside him, my mind filled with a swirl of emotions. The room felt he