a's

terror and confusion, trying to f

eyes fixed on my nearly bare b

e shredded fabric, tears streaming down

rag, letting the smoke swirl aroun

person, don't you?"

re a monster," I shot back, my

monster?" he murmured, as if amused. "So

r was coursing through me, but I'd never let him

trembling as tears continued to fall. "I'm not

er, his expres

I paid your mother's hospital bills? Why do you think I chose you, out of all the w

ll. I'm a person, not a thing," I snapped, f

ing his head slightly. "Remember? I'm a monster, Anna. And monste

g my attention as he pulled ou

ist, he opened it, revealing page

th finality, "is the marriage cont

is the price of your freedom-your life and your mother's. I wan

of defiance bubbling up in me. I turne

other on my own. You may think you own me, but I'd rather die than marry yo

that sent a chill down my spine. He knew exactly what I

me," he c

is face had shifted, his expression darkened, and f

he time I reach ten, I'll make the same call I made to pay those bills. Only this time,

as if the threat were a mere m

be bluffing? No, I'd seen him kill before, seen how casuall

nted, voice co

'd be bound to him forever, trapped as his wife. But if I

EV

wouldn't do it, I told myself. He couldn't be that monstrous

hit "TEN"

is phone and dialed, each second feelin

end picked

emember the woman wh

sick one," the

his eyes glinting with satisfaction as I thrust the co

victorious. He didn't even fin

ning my signature with a look of satisfaction. His eyes narrow

falling felt like it was sealing my fate. But he simp

sneered, the mockery in hi

this. We'll go shopping," he said,

t mean you can touch me," I snapped, my voi

htening. "You can own my name on

his men approached the vehicle. Damon roll

he asked, h

em, and it's about her," t

e vanished immediately,

, his gaze cold and calculating, bef

low with authority. Without another word, he stepped out of the