Chapter 4

• The days passed in a blur of cold silences and subtle manipulations. Every corner of the mansion seemed to watch her, every step she took felt calculated. Elena couldn’t escape the feeling that her every move was being tracked, monitored by eyes she couldn’t see.
• It had been four days since she was brought here, and every day had felt the same. She woke in the lavish bed, ate the meals prepared by the staff, and sat by the window, staring out at a world she couldn’t reach. Alexander hadn’t spoken to her much, only showing up when it was necessary, his presence a constant reminder of how powerless she was.
• The worst part? The way he looked at her. His gaze was always cold, calculating. But sometimes, just sometimes, there was something else in his eyes—something darker, more dangerous. A promise. A threat. And it terrified her more than anything.
• She had tried to escape, of course. The first night, she’d slipped out of her room, planning to make a run for it. But as soon as she opened the door, she was met by a guard. She tried to make him understand, but his stern face told her everything she needed to know. There was no way out. No way to run.
• The walls of the mansion were impenetrable, the security tighter than anything she had ever known.
• Elena slumped down onto the bed, frustration bubbling inside her. Her hands clenched into fists, nails biting into her palms as she stared at the ceiling. There had to be something she could do. She couldn’t stay here forever, couldn’t live like this. But every plan, every attempt, failed.
• “Elena.”
• The sound of Alexander’s voice sliced through the silence, and her heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t heard him approach, but there he was, standing in the doorway of her room, his tall form framed by the light from the hallway.
• She didn’t look at him, didn’t want to. But she could feel his presence, looming over her, suffocating her.
• “What do you want?” she asked, her voice rough with the anger she had been holding back for days.
• “Nothing,” he replied smoothly, stepping into the room. His eyes flicked over her briefly before he crossed the floor to the chair by the window. “I just wanted to see how you’re doing.”
• Elena’s eyes burned with resentment. “I’m fine,” she said, though the lie tasted bitter on her tongue. “Why don’t you leave me alone?”
• “Why would I leave you alone?” Alexander asked, his tone casual, but there was something in his voice that made her blood run cold. “You’re not going anywhere, Elena. You’re mine now. And you’ll learn to accept that.”
• She bit back the urge to snap at him. She wasn’t going to let him get under her skin—not again.
• “Accept it?” she scoffed, sitting up straighter on the bed. “You think I’ll just roll over and accept this? You think I’ll accept being sold like property?”
• He didn’t flinch. “I didn’t sell you, Elena. Your father did. But I’m the one who’s going to take care of you now. Whether you like it or not.”
• She glared at him, her fists still clenched by her sides. “I don’t need your care. I never asked for it.”
• “You’ll need it,” he said softly, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You don’t understand yet. You’re not going to last long here if you keep pushing me. You’ll break, eventually. Everyone does.”
• Elena’s chest tightened, but she refused to show any weakness. “I won’t break,” she said firmly, her voice full of determination.
• Alexander smiled, but it was a cold, empty smile. “We’ll see.”
• For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Elena could feel the tension between them, thick and heavy, like a storm waiting to break. She hated the way he could silence her with just a look, the way he could make her feel small and powerless.
• Finally, he stood up, his eyes still fixed on her. “You should rest,” he said, his tone more commanding than concerned. “We’ll have dinner in an hour. I’ll see you then.”
• She didn’t respond, just watched as he turned and left the room, the door closing softly behind him.
• Elena exhaled sharply, her body slumping in exhaustion. The tension of the past few days had taken its toll on her. She couldn’t keep pretending to be strong, couldn’t keep fighting a battle she was clearly losing. Every time she thought she had a plan, it fell apart. Every time she thought she could make it out, he pulled her back in.
• She had to stop fighting. At least for now.
• But that didn’t mean she was giving up. She just needed to be smart, to play his game and wait for the right moment. She wouldn’t let him win. Not yet.
• The knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, and she stood quickly, smoothing down the dress she had worn that day.
• “Come in,” she called, her voice steady despite the chaos inside her.
• The door opened, and a young woman entered. She was dressed in a simple black uniform, her face polite but distant. She was holding a silver tray with what looked like dinner.
• “Elena, sir has requested you join him for dinner,” the woman said, her voice soft, almost apologetic.
• “Of course,” Elena replied, forcing a smile as she took the tray from the woman. “Thank you.”
• The woman nodded before turning and leaving, and Elena was left alone with her thoughts once more. Dinner with Alexander. She had no idea what he had planned, but she was certain it wouldn’t be anything pleasant.
• She took the tray over to the small dining table in the corner of the room, setting it down carefully. She couldn’t think of what to do. She didn’t want to sit with him, didn’t want to face him. But she had no choice.
• With a deep breath, she straightened her back and headed toward the door.
• The dining room was grand, of course, with polished wood floors and elegant lighting that cast a soft glow over the space. Alexander was already seated at the table, a glass of red wine in front of him. His eyes flicked up as she entered, his expression unreadable.
• “Sit,” he said simply, gesturing to the chair across from him.
• Elena hesitated for a moment before taking a seat. She wasn’t going to make this easy for him. She would play his game, but on her terms.
• “I trust you’ve settled in well?” he asked, picking up his glass of wine, swirling it gently.
• “As well as I can,” she replied, forcing herself to meet his gaze.
• His lips twitched, but he didn’t say anything more. They ate in silence for a few minutes, the tension thick in the air. Elena could feel the weight of his gaze on her, but she refused to look at him.
• Finally, Alexander set his fork down, his eyes locking with hers.
• “You’re still fighting me,” he said softly. “You don’t have to. You know that, right?”
• “I will never stop fighting you,” she said through gritted teeth. “Not now. Not ever.”
• He smiled again, that same empty smile. “We’ll see.”