Dominic stood alone in the center of his study, his fists clenched at his sides.
The words echoed.
"I'd rather die than marry a monster like you."
He hated the sound of it.
Not because it wasn't true
But because it was.
He swallowed down whatever emotion tried to rise and hit the intercom button.
"Get the butler Now."
Minutes later, Mr. Harrow, the butler, entered the room with a quiet bow.
"You called, sir?"
Dominic didn't turn.
"Remove everything in the mansion that could be used to hurt herself."
Mr Harrow hesitated. "Sir?"
"Glass. Metal. Even the fucking curtain rods if they can bend. Replace it all with plastic."
"Understood."
"And the pool," Dominic added sharply. "She's not to go near it. Lock the access doors. Post a maid. If I find out she's alone near water"
His voice broke off. Not in weakness in control.
Too much control.
"Just make sure it doesn't happen."
Mr Harrow nodded and turned to leave
The door shut.
Dominic leaned against the desk, breathing hard.
-
The silence of the room was suffocating.
I lay curled on the bed, eyes swollen from crying, staring at the ceiling like it might open up and swallow me.
"I'd rather die than marry a monster like you."
I meant it.
Every word.
My father had sold me like i was an unwanted heirloom.
Dominic had claimed me like a trophy.
And even Micah… the only person who ever truly saw me…
He had no idea where i was.
I sat up slowly, my throat dry and my chest hollow.
My gaze scanned the room and something inside me snapped.
Enough.
If this was the life they forced me into, then i'd take the only control left to me.
I rose to my feet and crossed the room toward the large vanity mirror. My fingers wrapped around the edge but it didn't give.
It was plastic.
Frowning, i moved to the side table. The lamp?
Plastic.
I went downstairs quietly, my bare feet padding against the cool tiles. The silence of the mansion wrapped around me like a cloak, heavy and suffocating.
I opened the drawer razors, nail scissors… gone.
Plastic. Everything.
A sharp laugh escaped me, bitter and dry.
Before I could slam it shut, I heard footsteps and turned just as Clara walked in. Her eyes widened the second she saw me.
"Liana!"
I didn't hesitate, I ran to her and wrapped my arms around her like a lifeline.
"Clara," I whispered, my voice shaking. "I was worried... where have you been."
"I'm fine," she said softly, hugging me back. "Mr voss had sent me to the dungeon, but I'm okay now."
"I'm sorry," I blurted out, pulling back to look at her. "I didn't mean for you to get hurt because of me."