Chapter 41

• Bellamie no longer knew how long she’d been Alexander’s prisoner. Maybe this was simply the path her life had taken. She had stopped trying to escape—not because she didn’t want to, but because the risk was too great. Alexander’s guard dogs never hesitated to follow orders, no matter how brutal. She had witnessed their cruelty firsthand—twice was enough to make her rethink any attempt to flee.
• In the end, she chose to live this life as best she could. Whatever Alexander did, she’d endure it. But over time, something changed. He had changed. And against her will, her heart had started to feel things it shouldn’t. A strange ache settled in her chest whenever he left the room—whenever he left her alone.
• Once, she’d dared to stop him from leaving. She had reached out, trembling, and gripped his arm. She immediately regretted it—bowing her head in fear, her entire body shaking. That same hand had once wandered without thought, touching his body when he’d held her in his unrelenting embrace.