5. You’re a replacement

Aelia’s POV

“Where are you taking me?”

My voice broke the silence between us, though I wasn’t sure if there had ever been silence to begin with.

Pedro had been stealing glances at me the entire ride, as if I might vanish if he looked away.

“Actually, we can talk right here in the car,” I added quickly, my unease growing. “I know this is about the lawsuit, so just state your claims now. I’ll answer—”

His fingers brushed a stray strand of hair from my face.

I jolted in shock.

“Please refrain from touching me, Mr. Pedro.” My voice came out sharper than intended. “I’m listening to whatever you have to say about the case.”

He laughed.

Again.

I swear, if I heard that damn laugh one more time, I might lose my mind.

“What makes you think you’re here because of the lawsuit?”

His question sucked the breath from my lungs.

“…What?” My voice barely escaped my lips.

Pedro’s gaze remained steady. “I told you before. You’re a replacement for what I lost. I could care less about the case.” He leaned back, his tone maddeningly casual. “I just want to see your face. That’s why you’re here.”

My stomach twisted.

What the hell was he saying?

This couldn’t be real.

No, this shouldn’t be real.

The sound of a heavy gate creaking open snapped me back to my senses. I turned my head just in time to see the massive entrance of an estate swallowing us whole.

My eyes widened.

“Where am I?” My pulse spiked as panic clawed at my throat. “Where did you take me?!”

Pedro didn’t even glance at me. “My home,” he replied smoothly. “You’ve been here before, haven’t you? That’s right… Just this morning, you were tied to my bed.” His lips twitched slightly. “And here you are again. Tonight.”

Cold dread slithered down my spine.

My palms went clammy, my breathing turned shallow.

I could barely comprehend what was happening. He didn’t care about the lawsuit. So why was I here? What did he want from me?

I forced myself to speak, to keep my voice as steady as possible.

“Mr. Pedro, I cannot go in with you.” My fingers curled into fists. “Since you have no intention of discussing anything, I’ll be taking my leave.”

I reached for the car door and stepped out, but I didn’t make it far.

My feet barely touched the ground before the world flipped.

A startled gasp ripped from my throat as I was lifted into the air, tossed over his broad shoulder like I weighed nothing.

Blood rushed to my head.

“Put me down!” I kicked against him, twisting in his hold. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?! This is harassment! Your charges are piling up, Mr. Pedro! Let me go!”

He didn’t say a word.

Didn’t pause.

Didn’t acknowledge my struggling.

Humiliation burned through me.

I was upside down, legs kicking, hands pounding against his back, and the worst part?

We were in his house. His matrimonial home!

His wife lives here.

If I ever had a chance of escaping her wrath before, it was gone now.

This was bad. This was so, so bad.

I clenched my fists. I never should have left Mike.

The next thing I knew, I was in that same room from this morning.

Pedro set me down.

I stumbled, my balance thrown off, my blood still rushing from being carried like a sack of rice.

“I’ll be right back,” he said, turning toward the door.

I lunged after him, but the door slammed shut in my face.

Locked.

I yanked the handle, banging against the heavy mahogany wood, but it didn’t even budge.

Panic surged through me.

I spun on my heels, scanning the room. My eyes landed on a shelf, and I rushed toward it, rifling through its contents.

A pen. A knife. Anything.

Nothing.

My search came up empty, except for a single spray can.

Useless.

I grabbed the next best thing—a jade hairpin.

I gripped it tightly, the cool weight pressing into my palm.

The door clicked open.

Pedro stepped back inside.

I raised the pin with both trembling hands, my eyes locked onto him.

“Stay back!” My voice cracked, but I steadied my stance.

He didn’t stop. Didn’t hesitate either.

His footsteps grew louder with every step closer.

My pulse zinged.

“Don’t come any closer!” I warned, my voice rising with each word.

Pedro’s expression remained unreadable.

Panic swelled inside me, I had to do something.

Think, Aelia!

Then an idea hit me. A gamble.

I shifted my stance. With my right hand, I lifted my palm toward him, gesturing for him to stop.

With my left, I raised the hairpin to my face, inches away from my cheek.

Pedro halted.

Bingo.

His sharp blue eyes flickered, locking onto the thin piece of jade hovering dangerously close to my skin.

He stopped.

The air in the room thickened, a charged silence settling between us.

I wasn’t sure what unnerved him more. The idea of me being armed…

Or the fact that I might actually use it. My guess was the latter!