A'S

to open the door, and it was Madam Tess and a

Ma'am," they

rning,"

re," Madam Tess said,

back, I'm not hu

on't be happy if he finds out that

ss have to do with my

ny good. Just do yourself and everyone else a favour by doing as you a

d ignoring her pleading. I was still angry at the way Kai treated me last night and felt stupid for thinking he was differen

amming open, revealing Kai whose expres

. "We are having b

art pounding. "

d pulled me out of bed. "I don't care what

puppet, Kai. I won't be bossed around and treated li

my ear. "Your father exchanged you for money and you think you deserve respect." He laug

efficiency, setting out the meal and pouring coffee, while Kai's eyes

ed, his voice low

ry," I said g

o eat; we don't want yo

on-existent. "What's the use of this act,

point is to maintain control. You agreed

d in my heart, fueling my resistance. "And w

ur part is to do as you'r

he tension between us palpable. When I fi

" he warned, his grip tightening.

living room. The memory of his grip lingered, a gho

aving a comforting sense of stability and normal life. Kai w

ay, he didn't g

d in here," he said

retorted, crossing my arms

y house, you don't. You are confined to you

e. "This is ridiculou

r I say you are, Zara. If I say you are confine

pounding. "You can't contro

, closing the distance

my spine. "This isn't a

ed again. "You walked into this yourself, your fath

ng in around me. I couldn't escape from him, I had to en

oping for some peace. Kai came in withou

crossed, glaring at h

ith its intensity. "Your father signed a contract, Z

voice trembling. "I w

l do whatever it takes to save your family's company

ron. "And if I refuse? You will face the bitter

ps. "Then your family loses everything and ends up

, I stared at him.

et ominous touch. "Remember that ne

before he shoved me away. "Spare me the hassle of st

ace as Kai walked out leaving me in the room

ecting on the futility of it all; 'Why trade my life for his by committing murder, when his time is already running out.' I

suffering, where he'd suffered ceaselessly. May he rot in an abyss of unrelentin