Signed To His Terms

My heart jumped as I sat up, the thin blanket falling off

ound her waist. She carried a silver tray in her hands. On one side of the tray was a plate of food-toast, eggs, and a small glass

ll table near the bed. Her voice was soft, kind, but there was a flicke

hank you," I murmured, my v

s. "Mr. Rodriguez asked me to bring this.

e mention of Theo. "See

ression unreadable. "He'll send for y

My hands trembled as I picked up the dress. The fabric was sof

with me," I admitted, my cheek

s why I brought it. Don't worry, miss.

ing about this situation felt right or comfort

esting on the doorknob. She glanced bac

Bell," she s

small nod and turned, stepping out of the room. The door clicked sh

pressing down on me again. Bell hadn't said anything el

reminding me that I hadn't eaten since yesterday. I picked at the toast and sipp

The sink and mirror were plain, but everything was spotless. I splashed cold water on my face

nd my eyes were puffy from crying. I ran my fingers through my

ng it on would make everything real, but I couldn't delay any longer. Wit

d back at me. She looked different-clean, polished, yet still scared.

eam dress fit perfectly, its fabric hugging me in a way that felt both delicate and suffocating.

k turning. The door opened, and Bell stepped inside once again.

dy to see you," she s

ress with trembling hands. "Where is he?" I asked

er. "He's waiting downstairs," s

. This was it-the moment I'd been dreading since last

ded louder with each step. The grand staircase we descended was lined with polished wood, and the walls wer

ooden door at the end of the hallway. Sh

ce?" I whispered, my

wer. Her eyes flickered to the door, then back to me, as if debating whether to sa

oke him. Speak when spoken to, and be careful with your words." Her eyes soft

wing at me since I first heard Theo's name. I nodded stiffly, unsure if I cou

if to say more, but then thought better of it and shook her head. "Just...

wn the middle, though it was empty save for a single glass of amber liquid near the far end. Floor-to-ce

here

oulders and tall, imposing frame. Even with his face hidden, the sheer presence of him was overwhelming. He turne

eo said, his voice s

y behind her. The sound of the lock clicking echoed in the silence, and I realized

ession unreadable at first. Then, the corner of his mout

he asked, his voice dripping with mockery. His dark eyes lingered on my

dress at my sides. "I-I did what I could," I stammere

ituation amusing. "Your hair is still a mess, and those puffy eyes..." He tilted

ut said nothing. What cou

ing my heart race even faster. He stopped a few feet away, his towering frame casting a shadow ov

smooth, "is a wise choice. Let's hope

keep from saying anything. Bell's warning echoed in m

t the layers of fear and confusion I was trying so hard to keep in check. Then he turned away abruptly, walking

h deliberate precision. His back was still to me, but his voic

follow if you want to survive." He turned then, his dark eyes locking onto mine with an intensit

paper. My heart thudded painfully in my

d, the predatory air around him undeniable.

ttered hair. No puffy eyes. And certainly not as though you've just crawled out of a hole." His gaze flicked over me, the disdain in hi

with humiliation. "Y-Yes," I managed

d, circling me like a predator assessing prey, "you will speak only when spoken to. I have no intere

the urge to say anything that might provoke him. Bell's warning replayed

sper, "you are not allowed to leave this house. Not the grounds, not the gates, not even the threshold of the front door withou

words pressing down on me like a vise. My throat felt dr

anyone outside of these walls. No calls, no letters, no messages-nothing. I

he word feeling like

ed smirk. "Good." He extended a hand

before realizing it didn't have one. Of course, it wouldn't. The dr

e," I stammered, my voice

Bell will retrieve it for me," he said coldly. "You won't ne

palms. I wanted to argue, to protest, but the weight

ssing his arms as he regarded me with a look that was equal pa

he continued, the room's oppressive

tions without hesitation. I will not repeat myself, nor will I tolerate disobed

finality that left no room for interpretation. I nod

, humorless smile. "Ah, finally u

dark shadow. I fought the urge to shrink back, knowing it woul

s, laced with a dark, undeniable hunger. His eyes bore into mine, and for the first

rate, each word dripping with a possessive intensity tha

diating off him, and it took everything I had not to step back. His gaze roamed over me,

echoed in the room as though it were the only sound that mattered. "Mine

, but no sound came out. What could I even say to that? His eyes burned with a possessive fire, one that

?" he asked, his voice taunting, as though daring me to defy him. When I remained

ry instinct screamed at me to run, to fight back, to do something-but the cold rea

, the door swung open wide, and a v

through the room, cutting throug