AR

ing to

ept echoing through my mind

left the cathedral in Julian's limousine. The m

. The fact that he wasn't even looking

realize when his

ment, my breath was caught. I summone

what you

rlo

d. His eyes were

, bo

His order

on slowly slid down behind him. It

. I backed away on instinct, trying to

rabbed my chin roughly, his nail

t fault him if he wanted to. We had lied to

only inches away from mine. "You'll si

, he let

thing else, like I wasn't even worth his time. Then a

d forced my way in at my

d if I explained i

*

f long, grueling silence, we

hat surrounded it, high enough that

s, steel...and

ut

d to shuffle towards the door, but my ribs were hurtin

rescue, opening the door with a

immediately walked to the en

slow down for even one second, and by the time I caught up with him, I was a

he only o

He walked in after me, then hit the

eternity. Julian was silent by my side,

a glance at him, and my heart

I stood face-to-face with his luxurious pent

d ever seen. Expensive furniture and plush seats

h your si

brought back to reality. I tur

e corner, poured out two glasse

e handed

myself onto one of the sofas. Julian was still standin

ri

loudly in my chest wit

don't

tion." His eyes darke

ook a sip. The instant burn made me spit it out without thinking.

d me intently. I felt like a sitting duck, ju

let L

ath hi

he drink in his glass, one hand in his

ords came out befor

I didn't need people misidentifying

d before me, leaning close enough that I was su

lie t

sion at his question. "I didn

m ready to punish you." He

ything. How my stepmother had cornered me, my father being on the bri

cal for the longest time," I sai

ere paid for the marriage contract, my father woul

ent. It felt like he could read

n his glass, watching it like

went ahead with thi

shook my

always been to make sure I'm settled before he dies. My mother...she wants

my gaze. "A d

the drink aside

uld control. Someone prim, proper, and

not Vivian. But if you're being fo

oman my mother can easily use. She's pliable, eager enough

inst the headrest. His body was caging me

in his eyes made me s

nt. My stomach twisted as he le

y playing pretence and lying to me, s

up my spine.

your pretty little smiles whenever I ask you to. In secret, you're mine whol

but he only tightene

ay your father's medical

t he had to offer.

at if I

dbye to your father. And then you and the rest of your f

ne long finger down my neck. Whe

k you can last in pri

ocus. My heart was hammering so hard tha

gain, breath dancing dan

was unbridled darkness. I swallowed

er choice, Scarl