The next morning, Celine woke as the sunlight began to creep through the gaps in the curtains. She tried to shift carefully toward the edge of the bed, attempting to slip away without making a sound. However, a firm hand suddenly wrapped around her waist, pulling her back toward the center until her back was pressed against Leo's broad chest.
"Don't go. Stay here," Leo whispered hoarsely. He pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed the top of her head softly. His demeanor this morning was warm, a sharp contrast to the brutal treatment he had displayed the night before.
"I have to go to the hospital. My mother must be very worried," Celine replied flatly.
At those words, Leo's tenderness vanished instantly. He shoved Celine away roughly. Lines of irritation returned to his face.
"I have already prepared guards for you. You aren't going anywhere without my supervision!" Leo growled. He climbed out of bed, putting on his clothes with brisk movements before grabbing his phone from the nightstand.
Leo immediately contacted his right-hand man. "Martin, prepare the car and two guards for my wife!"
"I don't need guards. Just the car and a driver, please..." Celine interjected, her voice laced with desperation.
Leo didn't answer. He only threw her a sharp look that felt as though it could skin her alive.
Celine let out a heavy sigh. "I promise I won't go anywhere else, only the hospital. I don't want my mother to get suspicious if she sees guards following me."
"You have no rights over yourself, Celine. There are only two choices. You go to the hospital with guards, or you stay here and satisfy me in bed all day long," Leo threatened coldly.
Celine's anger flared again. "Fine! Get the guards ready! But give me some clothes. I have nothing to wear after you ripped my outfit to shreds last night!"
Leo walked toward the rows of large wardrobes in the corner of the room and flung them wide open. "Pick whatever you want. Every expensive brand is in here."
Celine stood frozen for a moment. The closet was filled with luxury gowns, famous designer bags, and expensive shoes arranged neatly. Leo had prepared this golden cage perfectly.
Clutching the blanket wrapped around her body to keep it from slipping, Celine stepped toward Leo. She met his gaze defiantly.
"Oh, one more thing. Give me some money. Consider it payment for satisfying you last night," Celine said, holding out her palm.
Leo let out a dry, mocking laugh. "Just how much are you worth, Celine?"
"Value me at whatever price you like. I will serve you, but you have to pay me," Celine challenged, trying to hide the tremor in her voice.
Leo reached into his pocket, pulled out his leather wallet, and took out every single bill inside. Without hesitation, he scattered the cash directly in front of Celine's face. The bills floated down, landing around her feet.
Without a word, Celine knelt. She picked up the money one by one. She felt no more shame. To her, her dignity had been shattered into pieces the moment she decided to sell her body.
Leo dropped a credit card onto the floor, right in front of Celine while she was still kneeling.
"Use that!" Leo commanded shortly, before walking out of the room without looking back.
***
After washing the remnants of that dark night from her body, Celine stood still in front of Leo's massive wardrobe. Her fingers brushed against the rows of silk gowns and designer clothes. She snorted.
"I can't possibly wear these. Mama would be suspicious immediately," she murmured. These clothes broadcasted Leo's power and wealth, something she desperately wanted to hide from her mother.
Celine stood silent for a moment, racking her brain until an idea struck. After putting on a short silk dress just to cover herself temporarily, she stepped out of the room.
Her pace faltered at the threshold. This house was too vast and foreign. Leo had brought her to a new residence she had never stepped foot in during the ten years they were apart. Hesitantly, she descended the spiral staircase and found a maid busy cleaning the floor.
"Hello," Celine greeted softly.
The maid startled, immediately straightening up and bowing respectfully. "Hello, Ma'am. Is there something I can help you with?"
"May I borrow some of your clothes?" Celine asked bluntly.
The maid looked confused, her eyes blinking in disbelief. "My clothes? My clothes are very simple, Ma'am. They wouldn't be appropriate for you."
"That is exactly what I'm looking for. I prefer simple clothes," Celine replied with a thin, forced smile.
"Very well, Ma'am. Please wait a moment, I will go get some," the maid said quickly.
"Can I come with you and pick them out myself?" Celine asked.
"Of course, Ma'am. Please, follow me."
Celine walked behind the maid, passing through hallways that felt cold and alien. "What is your name?" she asked along the way.
"Bella, Ma'am," the maid answered, glancing back politely.
They arrived at a small, neat room in the back area. "This is my closet, Ma'am. Please choose anything you like."
Celine began to examine the limited selection of hangers. Her eyes brightened when she found a pair of slightly faded jeans and a pastel blue crop top. These clothes felt far more "human" than anything in Leo's room.
"I'll borrow these, Bella," Celine said, hugging the clothes to her chest.
"Certainly, Ma'am."
Celine stepped toward the door, but she paused and turned back. "Bella... don't call me Ma'am. My name is Celine. Just call me Celine, okay?"
Without waiting for a response from Bella, who still looked hesitant, Celine walked back toward her room feeling a little lighter.
***
Celine descended the stairs with a deliberately calm gait. Downstairs, Leo, already dressed in his expensive office suit, looked up. He stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes traveled over Celine with a spark of admiration he couldn't quite hide. Even though she was only dressed in a maid's simple shirt and jeans, Celine's natural beauty shone through more clearly. It was pure and effortless.
Celine reached the bottom of the stairs. She noticed Leo's intense gaze locking onto her every move. Feeling uncomfortable, she immediately raised her defenses.
"Are you going to protest the way I'm dressed?" Celine challenged, cutting him off before he could mock her.
Leo quickly composed himself. The admiration in his eyes vanished, replaced by a cold, arrogant glint. He smirked slightly, trying to cover the fact that he had just been captivated.
"No," Leo said flatly, his voice dripping with disdain. "I know why you chose to wear those rags instead of the luxury clothes I provided. You're afraid your mother will be suspicious, aren't you?"
"The car and guards are ready out front. You should eat breakfast first. I'm leaving for the office now," Leo said without looking back. He walked away, followed by Martin, who trailed behind him like a loyal shadow.
Celine stood frozen, staring at the man's broad back until he disappeared behind the massive front doors. A small sense of warmth flickered because of the minor concern Leo had shown.
Sometimes he seems to care, but other times... he can turn into a monster, Celine whispered to herself.