He dropped the warning, scooped me up, and turned to leave without a second glance. "Help Lucille up and follow us," he added coolly.

"No! Theodore, come back! You can't just leave me like this!" Isabella's voice cracked behind us, frantic and hysterical. "Natalie, I swear-I'll make you pay, you bitch!" She was bawling like her world had just ended, kneeling on the ground. But Theodore didn't so much as flinch. It was like she didn't exist.

I leaned into Theodore's arms, shot Isabella a smug little smile over his shoulder-cold, daring, enough to flip a switch in her. She must've been on the verge of a meltdown.

When we got to the car, Lucille still leaning on the driver, Theodore bent down to put me inside. But I suddenly grabbed the car door, planted both feet firmly on the ground, and stood up straight. I glanced at him, took Lucille from the driver with a flat, calm tone. "Thanks."

I walked past him barely two steps before he caught my wrist from behind, grip tight, eyes dark. He looked toward the driver, who instantly moved and pulled Lucille away from me.

"I'll get Miss Green home safe," the driver said smoothly.

Lucille caught on quick-something was off. She winced as she tried to stand straighter and held onto me stubbornly. "It's fine, we'll go back on our own. Come on, Natalie."

Theodore's gaze turned ice cold. The driver stepped forward and struck the back of Lucille's neck-quick and sharp. I wasn't fast enough to stop it. Lucille collapsed instantly.

Was he seriously going that far?

Before I could even react, he spun me around, threw me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing, and shoved me into the backseat. Slammed the door. Done.

"You jerk, let me out!" I fought to open the door, pushing against it with everything I had.

His hands slammed down, pinning the door shut. He leaned in, tall frame casting a shadow, eyes locked on me with that mocking, hollow stare. Under the streetlight streaming through the window, I could feel how awful I must've looked-face swollen, one cheek blazing red, eyes puffy with tears, blood crusting at the corner of my mouth. I turned away, unable to stand the way he looked at me.

"Let me go," I said, voice low. "Whatever game you're playing, I'm done."

The tension in the air dropped several degrees. He got closer, voice tight, lips curling with sarcasm. "So? Everything went just the way you wanted. You gonna thank me now?"

That hit a nerve. I glared at him, eyes burning. "Thank you? Are you serious, Theodore? Thanks to you, I just got beaten half to death by the people who raised me. Everyone thinks I'm the evil sister who trashed her sibling's wedding out of jealousy. My name's dirt now-probably even worse than Isabella's. So yeah... thank you for that."

I was spitting fire, not even realizing my words were cranking up his fury. His voice dipped lower, sharper. Face right in mine.

"You made your move. Now deal with the fallout. You played this game right under my nose-don't act like you didn't see this coming."

Right after he finished speaking, he leaned in and caught my lips in a kiss without any warning. I yelped from the pain, but the driver, who had just arranged for Lucille to be taken in another car, acted like he was blind and deaf. He started the engine, and the car merged onto the main road.

Cold sweat trickled down my forehead as I kicked my legs uselessly. Theodore fixed his sharp gaze on my tear-filled eyes and warned, "Natalie, move one more time and I swear I'll go all the way."

The memory of how things had gone before made my body stiffen. I froze, biting my lip hard, tears blurring my vision even worse.

I had thought I had this man figured out. But the more tangled we got, the more I couldn't make sense of him.

He was like some puppet master, towering above everything - relentlessly humiliating me and acting like he couldn't stand the sight of me, yet somehow always showing up the moment I was about to fall apart.

I didn't say a word.

Theodore stared at my pale face, drawn tight with pain. His eyes darkened, and without a word, he clamped a hand behind my head to stop me from moving. Then his kiss came crashing down - relentless and burning. In an instant, his scent was all over my lips and cheeks.

The car soon pulled into a high-end villa district and stopped in front of a chic European-style home. Theodore slammed open the door, pulled off his suit jacket and draped it over me, then shoved me onto his shoulder and carried me inside.

Saying I wasn't scared would be a total lie.

Dangling over his shoulder, I panicked, kicking hard. "Put me down, Theodore! Are you out of your mind? Do you even hear yourself?!"

He completely ignored me, lugging me upstairs, threw open a bedroom door and tossed me straight onto the bed without a word. My face, which already had a bruise, got aggravated by the rough movement. The pain was sharp enough that I gasped, then cursed, "Theodore, are you seriously trying to take advantage of someone like this? Are you even a man?"

He was still standing at the edge of the bed. Hearing that, he whipped around and shot me a cold glare. His hand went to his tie, yanking it off-but instead of doing what I feared, he turned to the wardrobe and rummaged through it for a bit. When he came back, he sat down on the edge of the bed, holding a small first-aid kit.

The moment his hand touched my swollen cheek, my whole body tensed. His fingers were gentle, which only made it all hit harder.

Theodore's eyes didn't leave the bruises Hubert had left on my face. There was something unreadable in his dark gaze.

Eventually, he opened the first-aid kit, grabbed a cream and some cotton swabs, and started applying it to my face. The cool touch made me flinch in shock, completely caught off guard.

My heart pounded like crazy.

I stared at him, wide-eyed and speechless. Tears welled up again and slid down my face before I could stop them.

All that pent-up frustration and heartbreak just hit me like a wave. He suddenly paused, then reached down and lifted my leg. Bruised and scratched, the skin was red and swollen, still bleeding in places.

He let out a low, mocking laugh, a trace of contempt flashing through his eyes as he said in an icy voice, "So this is what all your scheming got you. Happy now?"

I froze. Whatever strange warmth I'd felt a second ago just turned to ice.

He glanced at my startled face, something dawning on him. Then his lips pulled back in a cruel sneer. "Oh? Don't tell me you're catching feelings? Natalie, you've clearly watched way too many trashy soap operas. Don't worry. No matter how desperate I get, I'm not so far gone that I'd want someone like you."

As he spoke, his eyes swept over me with blatant mockery, sizing me up like I was some stray animal on the street. That look-cold, smug, without even a hint of pity-was like a rich guy sneering at something pathetic, not worth a second glance.

My hands clenched tightly at my sides. I lifted my chin, staring him down with a mocking smile. "You're right, Mr. Sterling. With your status, women must be lining up. What's one or two more?"

Theodore just stared at me, cold and silent. I kept the sarcasm going, refusing to back down.

"Even someone like Isabella, you didn't mind keeping around. If I hadn't stepped in, who knows how many times you would've ended up playing the fool. Technically, I did you a favor. You saved me today-let's just call it even."

As soon as the words left my mouth, I got off the bed to leave. But he yanked me back in an instant, pressing down on me with his full weight, eyes dark like a storm.

"Even? Natalie, who do you think you are? What gives you the right to say that?"

"What are you doing? Get off me!" I pushed at his chest with all my strength, but he didn't budge. And then it hit me - I screamed sharply, "Theodore, are you insane?! What the hell are you trying to do? You animal!"

He froze suddenly, and that weird, dangerous look lit up in his eyes. One of his hands clamped around my neck like a vice.

"What's there to be so precious about? A woman who went as far as ruining her own sister's future, all so I'd notice her-you think that makes you some kind of pure, untouchable saint?"

His words cut deep-sharper and crueler than anything Vivian or Hubert ever said or did to me. That last thread of sanity snapped. My rage and humiliation exploded out of control like a dam breaking.

"Get over yourself! I made it clear from the start-cancel the engagement with Isabella, and you can marry whoever the hell you like. I never cared! You're the one who kept showing up, clinging to me like a bad habit! I never begged you to save me-so who gave you the right to act like I owe you something? Don't project your own crap onto me!"

His face turned colder, the grip on my hand tightening by the second. But I just gritted my teeth and stared him down. I wasn't gonna give him the satisfaction of hearing me beg or cry.

The fabric of my strapless dress had been torn to pieces, and I felt the chill crawl over me like ice water. I looked up into his furious face and let out a bitter laugh. "Let's be real. The one that's been stuck on this twisted mess between us-is you. Admit it. You can't let go because deep down, you want me."

"Natalie... Reynolds!" He growled my name through gritted teeth, eyes burning with fury, like he could explode any second.

I just laughed even colder, eyes full of mockery. He grabbed my arm and shoved me underneath him, crashing his lips onto mine-rough and punishing, like he wanted to erase the smile right off my face.

I didn't even respond. Just stared blankly.

He pulled back, his breath shaky, then easily flipped me over, pinning me at the headboard. Before I could react further, he forced himself inside without any hesitation.

Shame flooded every corner of me. I bit down on my lower lip, hands gripping the headboard until my knuckles turned white.

The pain and tremors shook through me, but I wouldn't let a sound slip-not even once.

He moved inside me without an ounce of hesitation, tearing what little self-respect I had left to shreds. As his teeth caught my earlobe, his voice sounded like a curse: "Natalie, you're the one who started this. I'm not letting go. Come on, fight me if you dare-let's see who wins."

I shut my eyes in despair and lay there, helpless beneath him, trapped in a nightmare I couldn't wake up from.

Only after he was done did he throw me aside like trash. Lying limp on the bed, I vaguely heard a clinking sound before Theodore walked into the bathroom.

Water started running. I tried to sit up, my legs just touched the floor before they gave out. I collapsed to the ground with a dull thud. The noise was enough-he flung the bathroom door open and rushed over. "Natalie!"

His face filled with panic swam into view, but it all quickly blurred as dizziness swept over me. My eyelids dropped, and then everything went black.

When I came to the next morning, the sunlight stained the curtains in warm gold. I forced myself up when suddenly an arm reached out and pressed me back down.

Startled, I turned my head. Theodore lay next to me, shirtless. His face was right there, still and quiet, long lashes casting shadows under sharp brows.

Memories from last night came rushing back. I carefully lifted the blanket and noticed the bruises had all been treated-bandaged and medicated with care.

I wriggled out from his arm, clutching the blanket as I stood up. Before I made it even two steps, a strong grip yanked me back down, pulling me right onto him.

My head spun. He pinned me underneath, his chest pressing hard against me-way too close. I struggled, panicked, and in the mess of limbs, pulled too hard on one of the wounds. The pain made me draw in a sharp breath.

A flash of something cold glinted in his eyes. His voice came out like steel. "Trying to run?"

I bit my lip, stared him dead in the eyes. "This is your place. I just want to go home."

He let out a sarcastic laugh. "How many times have I told you? I'm not the kind of guy you can just toss away when you're done. You wanna leave? Too bad-I'm not giving you that option."

"What do you even want from me?" I finally snapped. "It's not like I begged you to help!"

Not that he was helping-more like hurting me first and then acting like the hero. That fake kindness? Just another slap in the face.

His hand suddenly gripped my chin, forcing my face up. "You ruined my engagement. Don't you think you should make it right?"

I nearly kicked him out of raw instinct. "I thought I made it clear last night-I'm sorry. I own that. But let me be crystal clear: as long as the women in your life have nothing to do with Isabella, I won't stick my nose in."

The pressure on my jaw tightened, his eyes dark with a threat. "You really think I'd buy a word of that? Not happening."

His words were like knives, digging into wounds I'd barely begun to heal. I glared at him, chest heaving, furious beyond words.

"Believe me or not, I really don't care anymore!" I barked back. "Theodore, you don't get to dictate my life. Seriously, what's your problem? You could have any woman you wanted. Why obsess over Isabella like this? You into jealous games or something? Great, then go! Re-propose! Let's see if I try to stop you this time."

I shoved him hard and tried to sit up, but he slammed me back down, pinning me tighter. He clamped down on my flailing hands and feet, then lowered his head and kissed me.

Fuming, I seized the moment when he let his guard down and bit him hard. Blood spread quickly. Theodore abruptly pulled back, blood trailing from the corner of his mouth, and his glare looked like he wanted to tear me apart.

Without hesitation, I slapped him across the face, eyes blazing. "Don't you ever kiss me again. You're disgusting!"

His whole body stiffened. Then he turned his face toward me, staring at my furious expression, and suddenly let out a cold chuckle.

Someone like him-dark, calculating-there was zero warmth in that laugh. Sure enough, before I even realized what was happening, he grabbed his tie from the floor and used it to yank my struggling hands up, tying them tightly to the headboard.

It was humiliating, even more than before.

I thrashed like crazy, kicked and yelled at him. "Theodore, you're sick! Let me go, you're scum!"

He didn't flinch, just stared at me steadily, leaned in close, and curved his lips into a mocking smile. "Got anything new to say besides that?"

"You jerk! I'm calling the cops! You have no right to treat me like this!"

He tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze, then kissed me again-but this time it was slower, gentler, his tongue greedily tracing mine.

Damn it, I had to admit-he knew exactly how to kiss.

As my focus blurred, he suddenly drew back. Calmly, he stood up and put on his shirt and pants, all while flashing a mocking smile. "Natalie, your body always gives you away faster than your mouth does."

That snapped me out of it. My face turned beet red with rage-and shame. I almost cried. "What do you want from me, Theodore? Is all this really fun for you?"

Something dark flashed in his eyes. He paused, gave me a cold look over his shoulder, and said, "Not until I've gotten my revenge. Not until you've paid the price."

He spat out those words like poison, then walked out without looking back. As soon as he was gone, I crumpled on the bed, finally letting go as tears poured down uncontrollably. My chest ached with bitterness.

Not long after he left, a maid from the villa came up, untied me, and handed me a fresh set of clothes.

My legs had felt like lead since last night, and every inch of me reeked of him. I didn't say a word and just followed the maid into the bathroom to clean up. When I was done and dressed, I headed toward the door-but someone blocked my way.

The maid had already set lunch on the table and now stood there, expressionless. "The gentleman gave instructions. Without his permission, Miss Reynolds is not allowed to leave the house."

I frowned at her, then glanced at the guards by the door. "What is this? He's trying to keep me locked up now? That's illegal!"

The maid stayed quiet, hands folded in front of her, respectful like a robot. "Lunch is ready, Miss Reynolds. Please eat."

My eyes widened in disbelief. I shot a glare at one of the guards and tried to push past him-only to run headfirst into a man in a suit, blocking my path.

"Miss Reynolds, it'd be best if you just cooperate. When Mr. Sterling has made up his mind, no one can change it unless he decides to himself."

I recognized him right away-Andrew Cooper, Theodore's personal assistant. I'd seen him before at his engagement party with Isabella. He was holding a suitcase, and the second I opened my eyes, I realized-it was mine.

"Where did you get that? I have a lot of important stuff in my apartment. Where did you put it all?"

Andrew handed the suitcase to the housekeeper and told her to take it upstairs. "Mr. Sterling has officially ended the lease on your apartment. He went through your things himself and picked out what he considered useful. The rest? He got rid of it."

"Are you kidding me?!" I snapped, yanking the suitcase right out of the housekeeper's hands. "What does he know?! I'm leaving. And if anyone tries to stop me again, don't blame me for flipping out!"

I pulled the suitcase with me, trying to make a break for it, but they moved in fast, blocking every exit like a wall. No way out-left, right, all sealed off.

Andrew stood in front of me with this flat, almost sympathetic look. "Miss Reynolds, you know what Mr. Sterling is capable of. Right now, you've basically cut ties with the Reynolds family. Even if Miss Green wants to help you, she wouldn't stand a chance against him."

I breathed in hard, forced a bitter smile, and lifted my chin. "You all seem to forget something-I'm still the Reynolds' eldest daughter. Hubert might've turned his back on me, but my grandfather is still the one with real power at Reynolds Corp."

As I reached to grab my phone, I realized I had nothing on me. Empty pockets. Then the housekeeper pulled one out of her apron like it was nothing. "Mr. Sterling says your phone stays with me for now."

I froze. Completely caught off guard. Before I could process it, Andrew suddenly picked up a call. Right after, he signaled to two bodyguards, who grabbed me and dragged me back to the villa. I fought like crazy and lunged to snatch his phone, losing it completely. I yelled into the receiver, my hands shaking in rage. "Theodore, you're insane!"

He was seriously locking me up? For what?

Didn't he hate me? Didn't he act like I disgusted him? And now just because I helped him see who Isabella really was and ruined his engagement, he had to pull this petty revenge stunt?

Heir to the Sterling family? More like overgrown man-child with control issues.

I screamed and cursed into the phone like I'd lost it completely. The room went dead silent. Everyone was just standing around, shocked.

On the other end, Theodore didn't say a word-just breathing, and the sound of it getting heavier.

I kept going until I was out of breath, then glanced at the screen. He hadn't hung up.

Then his voice finally came through, cold and low, like he was holding something back. "Feel better now? If you're done, go eat. And stop thinking about running. You can't win."

That fire in me flared up again. "This is all revenge, isn't it? Go ahead! Mr. Sterling, mighty as you are, show me how far you're willing to go. But don't forget-if I snap, I'll drag both of us down. You ruin my name, I'll make damn sure yours goes down with it!"

"Natalie!"

"You think I don't know? You pushed for that engagement just so you could secure the Sterling legacy. If I go public with what you've done, how many rich girls you think would still want to marry you? You really think Mortimer won't explode when he finds out? Just let me go. We'll both pretend none of this ever happened. Cross paths on the street one day? Don't worry-I'll act like I'd never even met you-"

Click.

He hung up.

I just stood there, stunned. Around me, everyone was watching, staring at me like I'd caused some sort of disaster. Like I had no idea what kind of trouble I'd just brought on myself.