Chapter Five - Her Punishment (2)

[ Azure Hotel & Suites — Devian's Private Suite ]

Devian was back inside his penthouse apartment at the Azure Hotel & Suites. As the owner, he maintained a private top-floor suite whenever he visited the city on business.

Sitting in his quiet study, lost in thought, he held a small white phone in his hand. He clicked the power button, and the screen lit up to reveal a lock-screen photo of Vanessa. His eyes lingered on her face for a quiet moment before he set the phone down on his desk.

Moments later, his own phone vibrated in his suit pocket. Guessing instantly who was calling, he swiped the green icon and brought the phone to his ear.

"So, if I didn't call you, you wouldn't have bothered calling me at all? Is this how I'm treated by my own son?" a woman's voice chimed melodramatically over the speaker.

His mother.

Devian rolled his eyes, but his sharp expression softened immediately. He fought back a smile, trying not to laugh and upset her further.

"Mom," he said softly, a smile in his voice. "Can you stop being dramatic? I've only been gone for a single day, and—"

"Will you be quiet, young man?" Mrs. Ashford interrupted promptly. "Why did you leave so suddenly? You didn't mention anything to me. Is something wrong?"

The genuine concern in her voice was impossible to miss. Devian decided against telling her the full truth; knowing his mother, she wouldn't stop worrying until he boarded a flight back home, and he simply didn't have time for that.

"Mom," his tone became reassuringly steady. "It's nothing. Just an urgent matter at the hotel that required my personal attention."

Mrs. Ashford let out a audible breath of relief. "For a moment, I thought you were in trouble." Then her tone shifted suspiciously. "How come your father didn't say a word about it?"

Devian wasn't surprised by the question. "I don't know. He's your husband," he said his face turning to a little frown. "Besides, I can handle things on my own, Mom," he added, sounding offended.

"Oh, I know, I know," she laughed gently. "I still can't believe my baby boy has grown up so much."

Devian leaned back in his leather executive chair. "I've been grown up for years, Mom."

"Not to me," she countered instantly. "You'll always be my little boy."

He shook his head, thoroughly amused. "Okay" he asked, shifting the subject.

"Your father?" Mrs. Ashford said her voice sounding a little serious. "You didn't ask about your dad's whereabouts."

A low chuckle escaped Devian's chest. "I'll call him later tonight."

"You'd better. And don't you dare overwork yourself."

"I won't." He assured her.

A brief pause hung over the line before Mrs. Ashford spoke again, her tone soft. "So... when are you coming home?"

"I'm not sure yet," he answered carefully.

"What do you mean you're not sure?"

"I still have a few things to finalize here," he explained smoothly.

She let out a resigned sigh. "Fine. But promise me you'll eat properly and get enough rest."

"I promise."

"And don't forget to... ."

"Bye, Mom." he quickly said as he hung up the call. Devian set his phone back down on the desk, his gaze drifting to Vanessa's phone lying right beside it. His fingers lightly brushed against the cracked screen. Standing up, he turned off the desk lamp and walked into his bedroom.

*************

[ The Brown Residence — Vanessa's Bedroom ]

Vanessa retreated to her room, completely drained from the day's gruesome labor. She had just finished preparing a full dinner for the household. Her twin sisters, Mira and Anna, had been home all day, but surprisingly had left her alone after the morning's beating.

Her mother hadn't returned home from her charity board meeting, which had given Vanessa just enough time to complete every single item on her punishing chore list. Her father hadn't returned either, likely away on another extended business trip, she breathed a sight of relief.

Holding onto the wall for support, Vanessa dragged her feet toward her bedroom. Every step sent sharp pain shooting through her bruised body, and her back ached beneath her thin shirt.

Reaching her door, she unlocked it, stepped inside, and immediately locked it behind her, leaving the key turned sideways in the keyhole. The twins had a spare key, and she couldn't risk them barging in unannounced again.

Turning around, her eyes landed on a small white box sitting neatly on her mattress.

She froze in her tracks. 'I didn't leave that there...'

Her heartbeat accelerated instantly. Had someone snuck into her room while she was downstairs?

Carefully, her chest tight with anxiety, she limped as she stepped closer and picked it up.

FIRST AID was printed in bold red letters across the side.

Confused, she popped the latch open. Inside were neat bottles of antiseptic, rolls of sterile bandages, cotton wool, pain-relief creams, healing ointments, and painkillers.

Her eyes widened in shock. 'Someone... someone brought this for me?'

It couldn't be her sisters, they would sooner pour salt on her wounds than give her medicine.

Then her fingers paused.

Resting at the bottom of the box was a folded piece of paper.

With trembling hands, she reached in, picked up the note, and turned it over.