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wake. Her chest heaved with silent breaths as she stood in the center of the luxurious room,

How had it all gone so wrong? One moment, she had been in her family's home, clinging to the last remnants of normality, and

ere already threatening to break through. She wasn't weak. She couldn't afford to be

he raw, harsh reality of what he had done. He had made her his, bound her t

n time. It felt like hours had passed before she forced herself to move, to d

t the sprawling estate. The city beyond felt so far away, so out of reach. She had no on

eat, and instinctively, she moved to hide the weakness she felt. She wasn't going

, her voice sounding

in the doorway. It was one of Desmond's men, dressed in

voice flat. "Desmond Blackw

that he would leave her to her own misery for a while, but it se

she replied, h

d for only a moment before doing just that, her mind racing with questions

The house was eerily quiet, but there was a sense of power in the air-a palpable, almost suffocat

ice, the man gave another nod, his hand res

n't ready for this. But she didn't have a choice. She stepp

here

s office. His broad shoulders were taut with tension, his posture stiff and controlled. He had an air of superi

hers. His eyes were like burning embers, smoldering with a dangerous intensity.

s voice low and delib

Her pride was all she had left, and

steady despite the chaos in

ting amusement. He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest

e were speaking to himself more than to her. "Most women would've crumbled

using to show any sign of fear. "I don't th

smile. "Such fire. It's what makes you inter

. "And you think

de her heart skip a beat. The room seemed to shrink under his pre

his voice like a dark caress. "You're alrea

ng a shock of electricity through her body. She flinched but

r than necessary before he withdrew his han

voice dangerously low. "This isn't a game. You

n the air like a

her, suffocating her, but she refused to let him see

d, her voice unwavering.

on his face widening ever so sl

manding the room, still so overpowering. Eliana didn't move f

g to let him wi

ng softly behind her, she couldn't shake t