a's

was that eve

slipping once before they found purchase.

s about him-none of it aligned. Panic

here was no warmth in his voice. Not even a crack. Each word felt wrapped

to steady it. "I don't even know the man who brought me here.

that begging was the only thing I

ely, "you're mine now. My property. Yo

ise and merciless, slicing through

continued, a faint curl of mockery

weapon. Cold. Cruel. It slid through me l

was already falling apart. You fired me-wasn't that enou

le

mov

. Then another. Slow. Intentional. A devilish smirk carved itself

me, he bent down to my lev

cl

ckened, suffocating, b

d people you shouldn't have." He paused, tilting his head slightly. "No

es of a puzzle he wasn't done handin

d. Carefully given. And no one in my life-no

less," he said, stra

e a physical blow. My heart drop

t do

flatly, "or do you just enjo

lin

, voice calm-almost bored. "The man you trusted traded yo

rds landed anyway. Slow. Crushing. One by one, press

sive. Like realizing you'd been bleeding long before you noticed the wound. My mind resis

ver a person. I

itter, whispering that my life had been weighed, measured, and assi

ear fo

. Not just about what the man standing in front of me could do-but about how easily it ha

n't been t

didn't hur

an I had loved looked at my life

at his watch. "Thirty, at most." He paused, as if recalling some

ening me. I coul

at something far worse

ence wouldn't be forgiven. And that

unseen. My body reacted before my mind could catch up-my breaths turning

onse. He didn't need one.

stop it. My voice shook, but it carried def

pau

enough to let

idn't tu

door

ci

ame b

he do th

strength failed. I refused to stay down. My legs gave out anyway, and

Every fragile part I should have protec

y jaw, forcing myself to sit upright. I wouldn

m before he destroyed me. Cathy too. I had brushed them all o

orless laugh

om than to him. "You just showed me who you are."

ver. He didn't g

roached. I lifted my head before they reache

rabbed me, I resisted-not violently, not foolishly-bu

I'm nothing," I said

anyway, but I kept my head up as they carried me out of t

step

ldn't be

s and give orders. But he didn't own my will

y palms. The fear was still there-but no

ian

ught I'd stay

find out just