Chapter 3

Just as Charlotte had expected, Dylan turned on her in an instant. Only moments ago, he'd been in bed with her. Now he glared at her with such fury that she could almost feel it cutting into her.

If looks could kill, she'd be dead already.

"Get out! Kneel outside, and don't you dare get up until I say so!"

Charlotte had barely managed to get dressed when the housekeepers dragged her outside, shoving her along the way. She sank to her knees, barely able to hold herself up.

She hadn't been kneeling for even half an hour when it started pouring. Rain lashed her face, each drop stinging her skin. She fought to stay upright, but her head felt heavier by the minute.

It was late fall, and the rain only made the cold worse. Charlotte knelt there, shivering uncontrollably.

Eventually, she couldn't hold on any longer and passed out.

By the time Charlotte woke up, it was already Wednesday morning. The night she'd spent kneeling in the rain had left her with a high fever.

But Wednesday was Zeke's day. She'd barely opened her eyes when he dragged her out of bed.

"Get up. You know the routine. Go change and dance for me."

Whenever it was Zeke's turn with Charlotte, he made her wear Hazel's dresses and dance for him day and night.

He'd always loved watching Hazel dance. As soon as he'd chosen Charlotte to take her place, he'd hired a dance instructor to teach her Hazel's best routine.

Even after three years, he still hadn't grown tired of watching her perform it.

Charlotte was weak and trembling with fever, but she forced herself to change into her dance dress.

As soon as she took off her clothes, Zeke's face twisted with anger. He strode over and grabbed her hand, his eyes fixed on the hickeys covering her body.

His voice was cold. "You two spent two days in bed?"

Charlotte was so feverish she could barely see straight, let alone think clearly. She managed a weak nod.

Zeke clenched his fists, a vein throbbing in his forehead. He gritted his teeth and fell silent for a long moment before finally speaking through them.

"Fine. Just fine. Go dance, and don't stop until I tell you to!"

Charlotte had no idea what had made him so angry. Normally, she could handle the dancing, but after spending the night kneeling in the rain, she was in no condition to dance.

The music began. She forced herself through the routine, rising onto her toes, leaping, and landing again and again.

Her head swam, and her vision blurred. After another turn, her legs finally gave out. She crashed into a table, knocking it over as she fell.

A glass hit the floor and shattered, scattering shards everywhere. Several pieces cut into her palm.

Zeke rushed over and hauled her to her feet, but his attention went straight to her dress.

"Charlotte! Do you have a death wish? How dare you get Hazel's dress dirty!"

Blood was still dripping from her palm, but he didn't even glance at her injury.

"Get that dress off! Now!"

Resigned, Charlotte wrapped her bleeding palm in tissues and slipped out of the dress.

She had other injuries, too, but Zeke didn't spare her a glance. He held the dress carefully, visibly upset by the damage.

"The glass tore the fabric! Call the dress shop right now. I don't care how much it costs. Just get it fixed!"

The moment Charlotte took off the dress, Zeke grabbed it and hurried off.

Charlotte returned to her room, pulled a first-aid kit from a drawer, and carefully applied ointment to her wounds.

She just had to hold on a little longer.

Soon, she'd be free of all three men. Then she could finally meet the person who looked even more like Max.