Chapter 6

Elizabeth’s POV

I was sleeping, completely exhausted, when suddenly, a splash of cold water hit me hard, soaking me from head to toe.

My eyes flew open in shock. I sat up quickly, gasping as the coldness spread through my body. Standing in front of me was a man with a smirk on his face, holding an empty bucket.

“What the heck?!” I shouted, my voice sharp with anger. “Why would you pour water on me?”

He didn’t flinch. Instead, he raised his voice, matching mine. “Will you get up from the bed already? Do you think this is some kind of vacation?”

With that, he threw the bucket aside carelessly, and it clattered across the floor.

“What do you mean?” I asked, confused and irritated. But then I paused and looked around.

This wasn’t my home.

The walls were unfamiliar, the air was cold, and nothing felt safe. My heart dropped as everything came crashing back into my mind—my divorce, the auction, me running away, trying to escape… and then getting caught.

I remembered now—I had been captured by a maniac.

A chill ran through my body, and I slowly pushed myself off the bed. I had no idea where I was going, but I couldn’t just sit there. My bare feet touched the cold floor as I walked toward the door in a daze.

Before I could take another step, I felt a warm hand grab my wrist.

I flinched at the touch. His skin was warm, but I was freezing. My body tensed as I turned to face him.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked, his brows furrowed, voice low and firm.

“I was…” I started, but the words caught in my throat.

Truth was—I had no idea where I was going.

I just wanted to feel like I had some control. But right now, I didn’t even know where I was, or what was waiting for me outside that room.

“What do you want me to do?” I asked, trying to pull my hand out of his grip. But he only tightened it and yanked me closer until I was standing right in front of him.

He leaned down, his voice low and cold. “Listen carefully. From now on, you’re my personal slave. Understand?”

My heart dropped.

“You’ll do whatever I say,” he whispered into my ear, his breath warm against my skin. “Whether you like it or not. You don’t get to say no.”

Suddenly, I felt his tongue trace the edge of my ear. I froze as a sharp shiver ran down my spine.

His breathing grew heavier, almost animalistic. He pulled me against his body, and I could feel the hard bulge in his pants pressing into me. I bit my bottom lip nervously, trying not to panic. My body was soaked, cold, and now trembling—not just from the water, but from fear.

“I should strip those wet clothes off you,” he murmured, his voice laced with something dark. “Show off that perfect body.”

Then, without warning, he bit down on my earlobe.

“Ouch!” I gasped in pain, trying to shove him away. But he didn’t move.

He stared at me with those intense eyes. “Now that you belong to me, you’d better listen. Be a good girl… or else.”

Or else?

I stared at him, my heart pounding. Who did this man think he was?

He might think he owns me now, but he’s wrong. I may be scared, I may feel powerless at this moment—but I swear, the first chance I get, I’m running far away from this place. And when I do, I’ll make sure the police know exactly what kind of monster he really is.

“What do you want from me?” I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper. But honestly, deep down, I wanted nothing more than to kick him straight in the stomach.

He suddenly spun me around to face him, a smirk playing on his lips—the same arrogant smirk he wore the day I accidentally stepped into his house.

“For you to make me breakfast,” he said casually, like this was all normal.

That smirk made my blood boil. I still couldn’t believe it—how I had once begged this man to let me stay, even if it meant working as a maid. I thought it was a small price to pay for safety.

Well… I got what I wanted.

Now I was stuck in his mansion—cold, confused, and scared.

I wandered around aimlessly, trying to find the kitchen. The place was massive, like something out of a movie. How was I supposed to know where anything was?

After walking through hallway after hallway, I finally came across a door that looked different. It had a heavy look to it, like it led somewhere important. Curious, I stepped closer and tried the handle.

Locked.

I stared at it, annoyed. That door could’ve led me out of here—or at least somewhere useful. The fact that it was locked made it even more suspicious.

Could this be an escape route?

I stood there for a moment, my thoughts spinning. Something about this house felt wrong. Why was he living here alone? A place this big should have staff—maids, guards, maybe even family. But it was just him. Isolated. Silent. Empty.

He was rich. People in need of money should’ve been lining up to work here. So why wasn’t anyone else around?

“What are you doing here?” a sharp voice cut through my thoughts.

I jumped and turned around. He was standing behind me, eyes narrowed, tone demanding.

I met his gaze but said nothing.

You tell me why I’m even here, I thought bitterly, mentally rolling my eyes. But I stayed silent. Talking back to him wouldn’t help me—not yet.

“I was looking for the kitchen,” I said nervously, my voice small as I avoided his eyes.

“Does that look like a kitchen to you?!” he shouted so loud it rang in my ears. I flinched at the sound, feeling like my hearing had gone numb.

“I didn’t…” I started to explain, but he cut me off sharply.

“Get out of here. Now.”

His voice was deep, commanding—there was no room for argument.

Without wasting another second, I quickly walked away, using the chance to put some distance between us. My heart pounded as a wild thought crossed my mind: This is it. I need to find a way out. Now.

I began moving through the hallways, scanning everything—doors, windows, anything that could lead me outside. My feet padded softly on the marble floors as I searched desperately.

Then I saw it—a door with glass panels on the sides. I could see outside through the transparent edges. Sunlight. My heart leaped. I rushed toward it and grabbed the handle, silently begging for a miracle.

It turned.

The door creaked open.

It wasn’t locked.

I stepped outside, breathing in the fresh air, almost laughing with relief. But just as I was about to move forward, a tall, slender guy appeared in front of me.

He looked like he was in his early twenties, with sharp features and a casual, boyish charm. He smiled brightly and gave me a playful wink.

“Whoa… pretty,” he said.

I blinked, stunned, not sure whether to be confused or annoyed. I tried to step past him, but before I could, his hand landed on my shoulder.

I frowned and instinctively got ready to kick him away.

But then—

“Where do you think you’re going?”

That voice.

Him.

I turned my head slowly, my stomach sinking. The maniac was right behind me.

I glared at the guy who had just smiled at me. Great. Of all people, I had to run into someone who stalled me just long enough to get caught.

I mentally cursed him.

He had no idea—he just ruined my one chance to escape.

I turned to the stranger, desperation rising in my chest.

“Please… help me. He abducted me,” I cried out, hoping he would see the fear in my eyes.

But instead of helping, he just smirked.

What?

I froze in shock as I heard footsteps approaching behind me. The maniac.

“Yo, Liam,” the stranger said casually, brushing past me like nothing was wrong. He stepped aside, clearing the path—but I didn’t run.

I wanted to. God, I wanted to. But I knew it was useless. If I tried, Liam would catch me, and next time, he wouldn’t just yell.

So his name was Liam.

Slowly, I turned around, only to meet his eyes—cold, dark, and lifeless. His stare made my breath hitch in my throat. My mouth went dry.

“What brings you here, Neon?” Liam asked, his eyes still locked on me, not even glancing at the other guy.

Neon.

That was the stranger’s name.

“I came to talk about the game,” Neon replied, turning back to Liam. “But what I didn’t expect to find… was a new game.”

He looked at me then, smiling in a way that made my skin crawl.

A game?

Why was he looking at me like that?

What did he mean by new game?

Something felt seriously off.

Liam let out a low chuckle. “Well, I’m making arrangements to finish the game,” he said, eyes still sharp as blades.

Neon smirked again and walked beside Liam, the two of them now speaking in low voices as they moved away from the door. But just before leaving, Liam shot me a look—a silent, dangerous warning.

Get inside. Now.

I swallowed hard and nodded, stepping back in and quietly shutting the door behind me.

This wasn’t the right time to run.

Not now.

Not with both of them here.

I had to bide my time… and survive.