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.

The front gate slammed open with a loud bang.

The tires screeched as the car jerked to a stop.

Theodore climbed out, tall and imposing. His shirt was crisp, but the tie hung crooked, obviously yanked loose in haste.

Wind tousled his messy black hair as his jaw clenched tight. He looked absolutely furious, eyes locked onto me like lasers.

I instinctively stepped back, only to hear him roar, "Natalie, take one more step and I swear-"

I froze on the spot.

He stormed over in a blink, slamming his arms against the wall behind me, trapping me in place.

"You think you're bold now, huh?" he barked.

"I-" I barely got the word out when his head suddenly dipped, and he kissed me hard.

My eyes flew wide in shock. His hand slid down and landed square on my stomach. I flinched, trying to twist away. His dark eyes flared, and then-bam!-he pinched my thigh, hard.

A sharp yelp escaped me. "Theodore, have you lost your mind?!"

My struggling only made him rougher, fueled his anger. He didn't care if it hurt.

Around us, people stood still like statues, pretending not to see. No one dared step in.

Clenching my jaw, I bit him without warning. He grunted in pain and finally backed off.

His face twisted in rage, his eyes burning. In one motion, he grabbed my shirt collar and yanked-fabric tore with a loud rip.

Then he leaned down and bit my collarbone.

The flashbacks hit like a truck-every time he'd overpowered me before. I bit my lips till I tasted blood, heart sinking.

Why, in my whole life, couldn't I even have a moment of peace or warmth?

Vivian, Hubert, even him-they all did their best to break me.

"What did I ever do to deserve this?"

"If you dare lay a hand on me again," I warned, voice trembling, "I'll kill myself. Right here."

His whole body stiffened. Shock widened his eyes as he saw how pale and drained I looked.

No one said a word while tension thickened the air.

Finally, some trace of hesitation flickered in his eyes. He slowly let go, fists clenching by his sides.

"Don't let her leave. Or die," he ordered coldly, then stormed off, shoulders tense with frustration.

I slid down against the wall, trembling, breath ragged.

He never came back that night. But he didn't let me go either. I was locked in, under 24/7 watch. The message was clear: try anything, and I'd get what was coming to me.

Waiting for the housekeeper to head into the kitchen, I quietly tiptoed to the front door. Just barely cracked it open and-

Out lunged a huge German shepherd, jaws snapping, growling right in my face.

I shrieked and stumbled back. Thank God for the heavy-duty leash, or I might've ended up in the ER.

The housekeeper came out just then. "Miss Reynolds, Mr. Sterling told me to look after you. Why don't you rest in your room? I'll bring dinner when it's ready."

Her words were gentle, but the meaning was loud and clear: don't waste your energy. You're not getting out of here.

I glanced over at the housekeeper, then at that big wolfdog out front. My face darkened for a second, but in the end, I followed her up into the room they had prepped for me. Right now, I really needed to cool down and clear my head.

I shut all the curtains, laid flat on the bed, eyes wide open, just staring at the ceiling.

The light overhead was dim and yellow. After everything that went down with him today, I let out a long yawn-my eyes tearing up from the exhaustion. I tried closing them, focusing on how to escape this place. But despite myself, Theodore's face kept flashing through my mind.

That mocking smile of his again-like he was silently laughing at how useless I was, how scared I got over a damn dog, legs practically giving out from fear. I roughly shook my head, trying to physically throw the image of him out of my brain.

"Bastard," I muttered. The word worked like a slap-I instantly snapped out of it, thinking a bit clearer.

With someone like Theodore, there was no way he had that housekeeper here just to take care of me. Let's be real-that woman was here to keep an eye on me. Honestly, I'd bet good money she wasn't the only one spying either.

That thought made my heart clench, and I immediately got up and searched every inch of the bedroom. Even checked the ceiling real close. No hidden cameras, no bugs-nothing. That gave me a tiny bit of relief.

But the more I thought about it, the tighter my chest felt. Theodore was clearly obsessed with getting back at me, probably lost his damn mind in the process. If I stayed locked up in here much longer, forget how worried Lucille and Grandpa would be-I wasn't even sure I could survive it.

How the hell was I supposed to get out of here?

A few minutes later, an idea started forming.

I stood in front of the mirror, smoothed out my hair, dabbed at my face a little. I forced a small, natural-looking smile at my reflection. When I felt ready, I walked lightly down the stairs, acting totally chill, like nothing was wrong, then casually sat myself down on the leather couch in the living room.

The housekeeper noticed me, still smiling politely. She bent down and asked if I wanted anything to eat or drink. I nodded, flashed her the same kind of soothing, fake smile a flight attendant might give.

She froze for a second, clearly caught off guard and a little suspicious.

I looked up at her with a bitter curve of my lips. "Theodore's not gonna let me go that easy, right? So... might as well just play it safe, stay on his good side for now. Maybe once he cools off, we can talk things out. He might even let me go after that."

She bobbed her head right away, clearly pleased. "Glad to see you've figured that out," she said, turning to prepare some tea and snacks.

Seeing her head to the kitchen, I decided to really sell the act. I followed her in with my best obedient tone and said, "Do you need a hand with anything?"

The housekeeper gave a small laugh and waved her hands. "Miss Reynolds, please, just rest. If anything happens to you, I won't be able to answer for it."

"It's just a couple small chores. I won't hurt myself," I replied with a smile, then started scrubbing a few dishes to keep up the act. I could tell she was letting her guard down already. A little trust goes a long way.

But as soon as I sat back down on the couch, Andrew came in again.

I didn't say a word, just watched him out of the corner of my eye. He shot me a quick glance and left just as quickly as he came.

Only an idiot would fail to see what that was all about. Clearly, he was here to give Theodore the latest update... all about me.

And sure enough, by late afternoon, a few more "helpers" moved into the villa-all supposedly to make sure I was well taken care of.

I was fuming inside, cursing Theodore in every way I knew. That bastard actually thought he could just lock me away like this?