I didn't sleep that night.
Not even for a second.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face.
Cold. Calm. Dangerous.
Like he already owned everything including me.
I tossed and turned in bed, the sheets tangled around my legs as my thoughts refused to slow down.
"No…" I whispered to myself, sitting up, running a hand through my hair. "This isn't real."
But deep down. I knew it was.
My phone suddenly vibrated on the table beside me, the sound cutting through the silence like a blade.
I froze.
Unknown Number.
My chest tightened instantly.
I didn't need to guess.
I already knew who it was.
Slowly, hesitantly, I reached for my phone and answered.
"H-Hello?"
"Get ready."
That voice.
Low. Commanding. Cold.
Him.
My grip on the phone tightened.
"W-What?"
"I don't repeat myself, Lia," he said flatly. "You have ten minutes."
Then the line went dead.
Just like that.
No explanation.
No room to argue.
My hands started shaking.
Ten minutes?!
Panic rushed through me as I jumped out of bed, nearly tripping over myself. I grabbed the first clothes I could find and changed as fast as I could, my heartbeat racing out of control.
This couldn't be happening.
But it was.
I ran downstairs. And froze.
A black car was already parked outside our house.
Its windows were tinted, hiding whoever was inside.
Two men in suits stood by the gate, their posture straight, their faces emotionless.
Watching.
Waiting.
For me.
"Ma…" I whispered, fear tightening around my chest.
What if they hurt her?
What if this was bigger than I thought?
I forced myself to breathe and stepped outside slowly.
"Good morning," one of the men said, his tone polite but empty. "We're here to escort you."
Escort.
Right.
Like I had a choice.
I glanced back at the house one last time, memorizing it.
Just in case.
Then I walked toward the car.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
This wasn't just fear anymore.
This was real.
The ride was silent.
Too silent.
No music. No conversation.
Just the quiet hum of the engine and the loud pounding of my heart.
I stared out the window, watching the city pass by in a blur. Familiar streets turned unfamiliar the farther we went.
Until finally .The car stopped.
When I stepped out, my breath caught in my throat.
A massive mansion stood in front of me.
Bigger.
Darker.
More isolated than the one from last night.
Surrounded by high gates and guards.
Cold. Untouchable.
Just like him.
"Move."
I flinched at the voice.
The door opened. And there he was.
Leaning casually against the entrance, like he had all the time in the world.
Like he'd been waiting.
For me.
"Late," he said.
I frowned, trying to hold onto whatever courage I had left.
"I came as fast as I could."
He raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze sharp.
"Careful," he murmured, stepping closer. "You're starting to sound like you have a choice."
I clenched my fists.
"I'm only here because you threatened my family."
"And that's exactly why you'll stay," he replied smoothly.
I hated how calm he was.
How sure.
Like everything was already decided.
Like I was already trapped.
He turned his back on me and started walking inside.
"Follow me."
I didn't move.
Not immediately.
Something inside me resisted.
Refused.
He stopped.
Slowly.
Then looked over his shoulder.
"Do I need to remind you what happens if you don't?"
My stomach dropped.
"No…" I muttered.
"Then don't test me."
I forced my feet to move.
Step by step.
Inside, the mansion felt even colder than outside.
Empty.
Silent.
Like no one actually lived there—only existed.
"From today onward," he said, his voice echoing through the large hallways, "you stay here."
My eyes widened.
"What?! No way!"
He stopped walking.
Turned to face me.
And smiled.
Not warm.
Not kind.
A warning.
"You don't get to say no, Lia."
"I have a life!"
"Had," he corrected.
The single word hit hard.
Too hard.
"You can't just take everything from me!"
"I already did."
Silence filled the space between us.
Heavy.
Unbearable.
My vision blurred as emotions rushed through me—anger, fear, frustration.
"I hate you," I said, my voice barely steady.
For a moment…
He didn't respond.
Then he walked toward me.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
Too close.
Again.
"Good," he said quietly. "Hate keeps you strong."
His hand reached out. And gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face.
I froze.
Completely.
"Because you'll need it," he added, his voice dropping, "to survive in my world."
My heart skipped.
"What do you mean?"
Before he could answer. A loud gunshot echoed outside.
The sound shattered the silence.
I flinched hard.
"What was that?!"
His expression instantly changed.
Cold.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
"Looks like," he said slowly, turning toward the door…
"My enemies just found you."
My blood ran cold.
"W-What?"
Then he looked back at me. And for the first time…
There was something different in his eyes.
Not just control. Not just danger. Something darker. Something serious.
"You wanted to leave?" he said quietly.
Another gunshot rang out.
Closer this time.
"Now you can't."