Chapter 6. A New Cage

“Get out, Lyra. We’re here.”

Kenzo’s voice broke the silence inside the soundproof limousine cabin.

Lyra snapped out of her thoughts. She turned toward the pitch-dark window. There were no streetlights, no grand gates of the Cullen residence that should have been there to welcome her.

“Wait, this isn’t my house, Kenzo. Why are we in the basement?”

She stared at the row of luxury cars parked neatly under the harsh glow of white neon lights. The atmosphere was unnervingly quiet, broken only by the soft hum of engines shutting down.

“Your father’s house is no longer safe,” Kenzo replied without turning.

He opened the car door and stepped out with the effortless grace of a predator. Lyra didn’t move, her fingers tightening around her small evening clutch.

“What do you mean it’s not safe? My father has the best security system.”

Kenzo bent down by the open car door, his sharp eyes locking onto hers. The basement lighting cast shadows across his face, making him look even harder.

“Reporters have been swarming the Cullen residence since Hans was dragged out,” Kenzo said calmly. “They’re starving for a scandal. They want to know what it feels like to be the girl who was cast aside and then picked up by an Alberto in a single night.”

Lyra felt her breath catch. “I can face them.”

“Don’t be naive. They’ll strip your life bare until there’s nothing left.”

Kenzo extended his right hand. “You’re safe here. Or at least, you’re completely under my control.”

Lyra stared at his outstretched hand. The diamond ring on her finger glinted as if mocking her. She had no choice. If she went home, she would be devoured by the media. If she stayed, she would become this man’s captive.

“This wasn’t part of our original agreement,” Lyra muttered as she took his hand.

“Our agreement is adaptive, Lyra. Circumstances change, so the rules change.”

Kenzo led her toward a private elevator with biometric access. The doors slid open with a soft chime. They rode up to the top floor of KA Tower.

The fiftieth floor.

The elevator opened directly into the main living area. The penthouse was vast, yet lifeless. There were no family photos, no personal items that hinted at human presence.

“Welcome to your new home,” Kenzo said, slipping off his black suit jacket.

Lyra stepped forward cautiously. Her feet sank into the plush carpet. “It’s so empty. Are you sure about bringing me here?”

“I like the silence. It helps me think clearly.”

Kenzo gestured down a long hallway on the right. “The last room is yours. Everything you need is already prepared.”

Lyra walked toward the room he indicated and pushed open the heavy double doors. The space was nearly the size of a mid-range house. A king-size bed stood in the center.

She moved into the walk-in closet. Her eyes widened at the sight of neatly arranged designer clothes. Silk gowns, tailored shirts, high-heeled leather shoes.

“Who picked all of this?” Lyra asked sharply.

Kenzo appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed. “My secretary. I gave her your measurements.”

“But this isn’t my style. I look stiff in these. Replace them.”

“You’re not an ordinary girl anymore, Lyra. You’re Kenzo Alberto’s fiancée.”

“Just a fiancée, and you’re already controlling me.”

Lyra pulled out a dark gray silk dress. “I have my own taste. I prefer brighter colors.”

“Your personal taste is irrelevant in public matters,” Kenzo cut in coldly. “You need to look elegant and composed at all times.”

Lyra tossed the dress back onto the rack, turning to face him as her anger began to rise.

“Are you trying to erase who I am?”

“I’m trying to build a new image for you. One that will make Hans feel very small.”

Kenzo stepped closer. The room suddenly felt tighter. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a slim black phone.

“Give me your old phone,” he said.

Instinctively, Lyra hid her bag behind her back. “Why? That’s my personal property.”

“It’s not secure. Hans could have planted a tracker or spyware on it.”

“I’ve already deleted all his messages. I can change my number myself. Don’t touch my things,” Lyra said firmly, clutching her phone.

Kenzo didn’t ask again. He took another step forward until only inches separated them. Lyra could smell his expensive cologne.

“Give it to me now, Lyra.”

“No. You’re violating my privacy, Kenzo,” she snapped, her voice rising.

“Your privacy ended the moment you signed that contract.”

“This is too much.”

Kenzo moved with lightning speed, snatching the small bag from her hand. Calmly, he took out her old phone.

“Kenzo. Give it back.” Lyra lunged for it.

He held the phone up high, glancing at the screen that still showed missed calls from her father.

“This is for our data security,” Kenzo said flatly. “I don’t want any information leaking outside.”

He set her old phone down on the marble table, then handed her the new one.

“Use this. All your communications will go through my private server.”

Lyra accepted it with trembling hands. “You’re a tyrant.”

“I’m the one who saved you from ruin. Remember that.”

Kenzo turned and walked toward the door, pausing briefly before leaving.

“Clean yourself up and get some rest. Breakfast will be brought to you in the morning.”

The door closed.

Lyra stood frozen in the middle of the luxurious walk-in closet, feeling like a doll that had just been purchased and placed inside a glass case.

She made her way to the marble-clad bathroom. The warm water from the shower eased her tense muscles, but her mind refused to settle. Kenzo’s words about control echoed endlessly in her head.

After changing into a white silk nightgown, Lyra sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the door. A sudden unease crept over her. She wanted to lock it. She needed at least a small sense of safety before closing her eyes.

Lyra walked to the door. She felt beneath the handle, searching for a manual lock. Nothing. She checked the wall panel beside it for an automatic lock. The panel lit up, but there was no option to lock the door from the inside.

“Damn it, where’s the lock?” Lyra muttered, panic rising.

She pulled the handle. The door opened easily. She tried again, hoping there was some automatic system that engaged when it shut. Still nothing.

Suddenly, the large television in front of the bed turned on by itself. Kenzo’s face appeared on the screen. He was sitting in his study, still wearing the same shirt, now without a tie.

“Looking for the door lock, Lyra?” His voice echoed clearly through the room.

Lyra flinched and looked up at the hidden camera in the corner of the ceiling. “Why can’t my door be locked?”

“This penthouse runs on an integrated smart home system,” Kenzo replied calmly. “I control it from the central system.”

“I need privacy to sleep, Kenzo. Lock the door from your side.”

Kenzo took a sip of whiskey from a crystal glass, watching her through the monitor with an unreadable expression.

“I can’t risk you running away or doing anything foolish.”

“I’m not your prisoner, you bastard,” Lyra shouted in frustration.

“Technically, you’re my responsibility tonight,” Kenzo said coldly. “That door stays accessible for my security.”

He set the glass down and fixed his gaze on the camera.

“Good night, Lyra. Don’t try anything that might trigger the security alarm. I can see every move you make from here.”

“Damn it, how dare he keep me here,” Lyra cursed under her breath.

She walked back to the bed with heavy steps. Every time she closed her eyes, she felt as if a pair of eyes was watching her from the darkness. She was on the fiftieth floor, surrounded by luxury most people could only dream of. But for Lyra, this was the beginning of a new nightmare.

She looked at the diamond ring on her finger. It now felt like the most beautiful set of handcuffs in the world.

“I’ve just walked into a lion’s den,” Lyra whispered into the silence.

She lay down, but her eyes remained wide open. She stared at the slightly open bedroom door, waiting for the man who controlled her life to appear at any moment.

“You can’t keep me here forever, Kenzo.”

The safety Kenzo had promised felt nothing like what she had imagined. Tonight, she realized that this diamond came with a price far greater than she could ever afford.