“Am I wrong?”

“Am I not telling the truth? You cut off that man's hand for touching me without consent. And what about you? What did you do last night? You’re just as much a monster as he was.”

“Enough!” Bastien’s eyes darkened.

“You’re not leaving this place. Whether this is a prison or a pleasant home depends entirely on you. Try to escape again, and I will lose my patience—understood?”

Kate was startled into silence. He kept pressing the cold compress gently to her cheek. She hadn’t realized how close he was. His scent had changed—it was softer now. No longer reeking of alcohol, only a faint trace of cigarettes remained.

He pulled away and searched through a drawer. He grabbed some pills and a glass of water.

—“Take this. It’ll help with the swelling.”

—“I’m not taking anything from you!” she spat.

—“If I wanted to drug or kill you, I already would’ve. Take it. Or should I make you?”

—“No!”

—“Open your mouth.”

—“No!”

Bastien grabbed her cheek and forced the pill into her mouth. Kate spit it out. He took another pill, drank some water, and this time pressed her cheeks again—slipping the pill into her mouth and sealing her lips with his in a kiss, pouring the water into her mouth.

Kate had to swallow, but he kept kissing her. His lips were warm and soft. His hand moved from her cheek to the back of her neck. He kissed her hungrily.

For a brief moment, Kate let herself feel it—but then bit his lip.

—“Aaaahh!! You bit me!”

—“And you kissed me without permission!!”

—“Every time you disobey me—whether it’s food or medicine—I’ll do the same. If I see you refuse again, I’ll assume you want another kiss.”

—“You wish. I’ll never want a kiss from a monster like you. A man who uses his strength to force himself on a woman. What, can’t afford a whore? Or do you have a fetish for virgins?! Why am I here?!!!”

—“I won’t tell you. Just know that if you escape, something worse than me will find you. So forget about leaving. Be a good girl and obey.”

—“I don’t obey anyone. Least of all a monster like you.”

“Enough!” Bastien lifted her over his shoulder, slapped her butt, and carried her up the stairs like a sack of potatoes.

—“Put me down! Who do you think you are?! Let me go!!”

—“I’ll treat you like a spoiled child until you learn how to behave.”

—“I’m not a child!”

—“Could’ve fooled me!”

Bastien reached the bedroom and tossed her onto the bed. Kate backed away, terrified he’d hurt her again.

—“You’ll stay here. At eight o’clock, you’ll come down to have dinner with me.”

—“No! I won’t eat with someone like you!”

—“Why the hell do you have to be so damn difficult?! Obey me. Come down and eat. Don’t make me come back up here.”

—“I won’t go.”

—“Then I’ll come get you. And after I give you a proper spanking, I’ll carry you down just like I carried you up. Your choice: walk or be dragged.”

Kate’s eyes widened.

—“You wouldn’t dare.”

—“Oh, I would. You decide.”

He turned and slammed the door on his way out.

—“Aaaaahhhh!!”

Kate threw the glass of water at the door. It shattered. Bastien returned at the sound, saw the broken shards—and before he could stop her, she hurled her sneakers at him. He dodged them… but stepped on a piece of glass.

—“Aaahhh!!”

—“Shit…” Bastien rushed to her, lifted her, and laid her on the bed. He removed her sock carefully—blood staining the fabric.

—“See what happens when you’re stubborn? I told you not to get up. Is it that hard to follow instructions?”

—“I’ll never obey you!”

—“And that’s the result.”

He went to the bathroom, grabbed the first aid kit, and used tweezers to remove the piece of glass.

—“Ow! That hurts!”

—“Too bad. You're the one who was stubborn.”

He cleaned the wound with antiseptic.

—“Aaahhh! You’re doing it on purpose!”

—“If I don’t clean it, it’ll get infected. Want to lose your foot?”

—“No…” Kate whispered.

Bastien knelt before her, tending to her injury. Kate looked at him closely. His features were undeniably attractive. Those honey-colored eyes reminded her of someone. His lips were full. She caught herself longing for a kiss.

Through the unbuttoned shirt, she saw part of his chest. Veins along his forearm stood out, and tattoos marked his skin. She shook her head, hating herself for even noticing.

How could I even think about that, she thought bitterly.

He’s the man who hurt me.

When Bastien finished, he placed a small bandage on her foot—one with tiny hearts and flowers. He looked up and met her eyes—green as a forest. Their gazes locked.

Kate shoved him away. He fell back onto the floor while she inspected her foot.

—“Why are you so difficult, Kate?”

—“Because I don’t want to be here. You’re keeping me against my will.”

Bastien sighed and stood up.

—“I’m going to get antibiotics to prevent infection. Please… stay in bed this time. I’ll be right back.”

Minutes later, he returned with a dustpan, broom, and the medication.

—“Here. Swallow these,” he said, handing them over.

He began sweeping, collecting every tiny shard of broken glass.

—“You can’t put weight on that foot. I’ll tell the kitchen to bring your dinner up.”

—“Okay,” Kate said, too tired to argue.

She lay on her side, staring out the window as the trees swayed in the wind.

—“Why me?” she whispered.

—“I can’t tell you, Kate,” Bastien said quietly.

He sat on the bed and gently stroked her hair.

—“I promise, I won’t let anyone hurt you again. I’d give my life for you, if I had to. But please… don’t hate me.”

—“How could I not hate you after what you did to me?” she replied softly.

—“I dreamed of my first time in a beautiful place… champagne, rose petals, candles, soft music. Not with a monster like you. Not in a place I don’t even know.”

Bastien stroked her hair once more and walked away in silence.

Tears slid down Kate’s cheeks.

She didn’t realize when she fell asleep.