Chapter 4: Crossing Lines

The next morning, the phantom heat of Caden's lips still clung to mine, a bitter memory that made my stomach churn. He'd told me to be at the mansion before school, and I couldn't argue. Mom had already left for work. I quickly got Jasper ready for Mrs. Ani's house, trying to act normal.

"You look sleepy, Maeve," Jasper said, yawning himself as he pulled on his shoes.

"Just had a bad dream," I mumbled, ruffling his hair. He was too young to understand any of this. Too innocent. I had to keep it that way.

The Dovewood mansion was usually quiet in the early morning, only a few staff members moving around like ghosts. Mrs. Reynolds, the head housekeeper, was already in the kitchen, giving orders to two other maids, Maria and Ana, about breakfast. They all nodded politely to me, but I felt their eyes on me, wondering why I was there so early. I knew the drill; I was supposed to be helping Mom sometimes, but this felt different. The house felt huge and cold.

I found Caden in the study, just like before. He was sitting at his large desk, looking through some papers. He didn't even look up when I walked in.

"You're late," he said, without lifting his eyes.

"I had to drop Jasper off," I said, my voice quiet.

He finally looked up, his eyes cold. "Your problems aren't my problems. When I say be here, you're here. Understood?"

I just nodded. I hated the way my own body obeyed him, how it seemed to shrink under his gaze.

"Good," he said, leaning back in his chair. "Today, you're going to keep me company while I work. And I mean company. No reading, no looking at your phone. Just sit and be present."

My eyebrows shot up. "Just... sit?" I glanced at the stacks of papers and open laptop on his desk. It wasn't the kind of "work" I knew, not like Mom's job or my secret one. This was Caden Dovewood's idea of work, probably something about the family's money or a project he barely cared about. He certainly wasn't doing it for a paycheck.

He shrugged. "Yes. It's a simple command. And no complaining." He stood up, walked to a shelf, and picked up a small, fancy leather-bound book. He flipped it open, not really looking at it. "Unless you'd like me to send a little text message to your principal about 'Eve'?"

My jaw tightened. He loved saying that, mentioning 'Eve' like it was just a name, not my entire terrifying secret. "No," I said, forcing the word out. "I'll do it."

"Excellent," he said, that casual, unconcerned tone back in his voice. He walked closer to me, slowly. My heart started to pound. I braced myself.

He stopped right in front of me. His hand reached out, not to my chin this time, but to a strand of my hair, tucking it behind my ear. His fingers brushed my skin. It was such a small touch, but it sent shivers through me. My breath hitched.

"You know," he murmured, his eyes fixed on mine, "you’re much prettier when you're scared."

I flinched. He wasn't smiling. His face was perfectly serious. Then, his other hand cupped the back of my neck, pulling me gently but firmly towards him. His lips were on mine before I could protest, soft at first, then harder. He kissed me slowly, deeply, like he had all the time in the world. My mind screamed no, but my body felt heavy, confused. I hated him for it, for making me feel anything but anger. When he pulled away, my lips tingled, and my breath was ragged.

I stumbled out of the study, my legs feeling weak. I spent the next hour perched stiffly on a chair in his study, trying to make myself invisible. He mostly ignored me, looking at papers, typing on his laptop, making a few phone calls. But every now and then, he'd glance up, and his eyes would meet mine. It was a silent reminder. I'm here. I see you. I own you. The air in the room felt thick with his power, and my own helplessness.

When he finally dismissed me, it was almost time for me to run to school. I felt numb, tired, and deeply shaken. I hurried out of the study, hoping to sneak out without seeing Caden again.

But he was waiting for me, leaning against the archway in the main hall. Mrs. Reynolds and Ana were polishing a nearby table, their backs to us. Maria was sweeping down the long hallway. No one seemed to notice Caden's gaze on me, or the quick, fierce way my heart hammered when I saw him.

"Now, get in my car."

My eyes widened. "Your car? What? I have to go to school." I stressed the last word, hoping he'd back off. We were supposed to be in class, in the same building, in less than twenty minutes.

"We're going to school, Maeve," he corrected me, his voice flat, leaving no room for argument. "Together. Get in."

"No," I whispered, shaking my head. "I can't. Everyone at our school will see us. This is insane!" My voice was desperate now, trying to appeal to his logic, his own reputation. He was popular, untouchable. I was invisible. This would ruin everything for me.

He took a step closer, his eyes narrowing. "You think you have a choice, Maeve? You think I'm asking?" His voice dropped, becoming a low, dangerous growl. "Get in the car. Now."

"Fine," I choked out, my voice barely audible.

He walked ahead of me, his steps confident and sure. I followed, feeling like a puppet on a string. We passed through the massive front doors. His black sports car gleamed in the driveway. The driver, Mr. Hayes, an older man with kind eyes, was already waiting by the open door. He looked surprised to see me, but quickly masked it. "Good morning, Mr. Caden," he said.

"To school, Hayes," Caden ordered, not even glancing at the driver. He got into the back seat.

I hesitated, my stomach churning. School. My safe place. My last normal place. Now he was taking that too. Caden looked at me. "Get in, Maeve. Don't make me ask again."

I slid into the plush leather seat beside him. The door clicked shut, sealing me inside, trapping me. Mr. Hayes pulled away smoothly. The Dovewood mansion quickly vanished behind the tall gates.

The drive was silent, except for the quiet hum of the engine. Every mile that passed took me further from any sense of control, further into Caden's dangerous game. My hands were clasped in my lap, trembling. I kept my eyes fixed on the scenery outside, trying not to look at him. But I could feel his presence, powerful and unsettling, next to me.

He finally broke the silence. "Nervous?" he asked, his voice low.

I swallowed. "Why are we doing this? Why now?"

He chuckled softly. "Because I can. And because I want you to understand, truly, that I own every part of your life now, Maeve. Even the parts you think are safe, like school." His words were calm, but they sent a chill down my spine.

As the car approached the familiar school gates, my heart hammered. Students were already streaming in, laughing, talking. The bell was about to ring. My head swam with panic. Everyone would see us. Everyone would see him arriving with me.

Mr. Hayes pulled the sleek black car right up to the main entrance, past the usual drop-off zone. It was a conspicuous, showy stop. Caden opened his door and stepped out, then calmly walked around to my side and opened my door for me. He offered me his hand, a silent command. My mind screamed at me not to take it, not to let him parade me like this, but his eyes were on me, cold and unyielding. And I saw students turning, looking, whispering.

I took his hand. His fingers were cold around mine. He pulled me gently out of the car. My legs felt like jelly. He didn't let go of my hand. Instead, he led me, slowly, deliberately, towards the school entrance. Every step was agony. Every gaze from a passing student felt like a stab. This was it. He was publicly marking me, crossing a line I could never uncross. He still held my hand as we stepped inside the bustling hallway, forcing me into his world completely.