Chapter Six

Adonis’s POV

“Where were you?” I asked, looking her up and down. “I don’t think you’re crazy enough to try escaping in your nightwear.”

“I haven’t gone anywhere,” Jasmine said quickly. “I was in the kitchen.”

“Don’t lie to me.” I stood up from the bed. “I just came from the kitchen. You weren’t there. So where were you?”

“I felt hungry, so I went down to get some snacks. Then I stepped outside for a bit of fresh air. That’s all.”

I took a slow breath, trying to stay calm. “I don’t want you wandering around the ranch at night. I already have security watching the place, and I’m adding more cameras tomorrow. Don’t do anything you’ll regret. Escaping is pointless anyway.”

“I’m not trying to escape again,” she replied. “Why would I put myself through that when I know you’ll always find me?”

I studied her face. Something felt off. “What changed? Two days ago you tried to run and made a whole scene about it.”

“I thought about it more carefully this time.”

I stepped closer and reached out to touch her cheek, but she pulled away like my hand burned her. The rejection stung more than I wanted to admit.

“Fine. I won’t touch you.” I dropped my hand. “But my patience has limits. By the way, I asked Gabriel to hire a private detective to look into Sebastian Lawrence. I need to make sure he never comes near you. Good night.”

I walked out of the room and left her alone. Downstairs, I went straight to the bar, opened a bottle of wine, and poured a large glass. I drank it fast, hoping it would settle the frustration building inside me.

A few minutes later, arms wrapped around me from behind. Soft hands slid across my chest. Maya.

I turned around and gently pulled her hands away. “Maya, I’m married now. You can’t keep touching me like this. My wife is upstairs.”

She smiled, unbothered. “I’ve been doing this long before she came into your life. Why is it suddenly a problem?”

“Not tonight. What do you want?”

“To keep you company.” She took the wine glass from me, poured herself some, and drank it in one go. “Can I ask you something?”

“Go ahead.”

“What does a man look for in a woman for a serious relationship?”

“It depends. Some want fun, some want an affair, others want real companionship.”

“No, I mean something real. Long-term. What do men actually want?”

“Caring. Understanding. Love. Someone who feels like home.”

“Is that what you wanted with Jasmine?” she asked. “Because you didn’t get it, did you?”

“No. I didn’t.”

“You know why?” Maya leaned against the bar. “She’s a spoiled, rude girl who never planned to settle down at twenty-five with a young twenty-six-year-old heir. And then you brought her out here to your father’s ranch. Did you really think she would suddenly fall in love with this life? The horses, the fields, the harvest? This is everything she’s not used to.”

I clenched my jaw. “Where are you going with this, Maya? Are you saying I made a mistake marrying her? Fine. You’re right. Happy now?” My voice rose.

“Then divorce her,” she said sharply.

“No. Are you out of your mind?”

“Why are you keeping her here? Let her go back to her family. She tried to run away to be with them, didn’t she?”

“She wasn’t running to her family.” I stopped myself before I said too much about Sebastian. “I don’t know where she was trying to go.”

“With who?” Maya pressed, grabbing my arm.

“I don’t know.” I yanked my arm free. “Just drop it, Maya. You’re getting on my nerves.”

“She doesn’t love you, Adonis. Why did you marry her?”

“That’s personal. I don’t want to talk about it. Good night.” I stood up before I lost control.

I went back upstairs. Jasmine was already asleep, curled up on her side of the bed. I stood there for a while, just watching her. She looked small and fragile in the dim light, yet she had this way of driving me completely crazy. I hated how badly I still wanted her. I hated that no matter what I did, she looked at me with pure disgust.

I took off my shirt and lay down on the bed, keeping space between us. The room was quiet except for her soft breathing. I stared at the ceiling, my thoughts spinning.

I had forced her into this marriage. Forced her into my bed. Now I was forcing her to stay on this ranch. Every cold look she gave me felt like a knife twisting in my chest. Part of me knew I should let her go, but the bigger part refused. I couldn’t imagine her with anyone else, especially not Sebastian.

I turned on my side, facing her back. “One day you’ll understand,” I whispered to myself. “One day you’ll see I’m the only one who can protect you.”

Even as I said the words, I knew they were a lie. I wasn’t protecting her. I was holding her prisoner. And the worst part was, I didn’t know how to stop. I didn’t know if I even wanted to.

Sleep took a long time to come. The image of her trying to run away kept replaying in my head. I had to keep her here with me, no matter how much she hated it.

Because the truth was simple. I couldn’t let her go. Not now. Not ever.