devil's punishment.

Aria....

I had never imagined that missing just one day of food could make me feel so weak.

At first, I told myself I didn't care. If Lucian thought I would obey him just because he refused to feed me, he was wrong. I would never let him think he had won.

But as the hours passed, my confidence slowly faded.

My stomach growled so loudly that I pressed my hand against it, hoping it would stop. My head felt heavy, and every step I took drained the little strength I had left.

The worst part wasn't the hunger.

It was the smell.

Every corner of the mansion was filled with the delicious aroma of food. Fresh bread, roasted chicken, warm soup, cakes... it was everywhere. My mouth watered, but I forced myself to keep walking.

"I can do this," I whispered to myself. "I won't give up."

I went into the library and picked up a book, hoping it would distract me. After reading the same page three times, I realized I hadn't understood a single word.

I sighed and closed the book.

"This is impossible."

Finally, I couldn't take it anymore.

Maybe the servants would secretly give me something to eat.

Even a piece of bread would be enough.

I slowly walked to the kitchen.

The moment I stepped inside, everyone stopped working.

The chefs looked at me.

The maids looked at me.

No one spoke.

The head chef smiled sadly.

"Good evening, Miss Romano."

I smiled back, trying not to look desperate.

"Can I please have a piece of bread?"

The chef's smile disappeared.

"I'm sorry, Miss Romano."

I frowned.

"Just one piece. That's all I'm asking."

He lowered his head.

"I can't."

"Why?"

"You know why."

I looked around the room.

A young maid quietly picked up a bread roll and took one step toward me.

Before she reached me, the butler stopped her.

He gently shook his head.

The maid looked at me with tears in her eyes before putting the bread back.

"I'm sorry."

I felt my chest tighten.

"So... everyone is afraid of him."

No one answered.

Mrs. Hayes slowly walked over to me.

"Miss Romano... please don't blame them."

"I'm not blaming them."

I looked at everyone standing in the kitchen.

"I know they're only following orders."

Mrs. Hayes nodded sadly.

"Mr. Devereux said no one is allowed to give you food."

I laughed quietly.

"He really wants me to surrender."

She didn't say anything.

Because we both knew it was true.

I turned around and walked out of the kitchen.

By evening, I was exhausted.

I sat on the grand staircase because I didn't have the strength to climb all the way to my room.

A few minutes later, I heard a car stop outside.

The front doors opened.

Lucian was home.

The servants immediately lined up to welcome him.

"Good evening, Mr. Devereux."

He gave them a small nod before his eyes landed on me.

He walked toward me slowly.

"You haven't eaten."

It wasn't a question.

I looked at him without saying anything.

Mrs. Hayes stepped forward.

"No, sir. She refused to eat."

He looked back at me.

"You still have time to change your mind."

I slowly stood up.

"I'm not changing my mind."

"You only have to listen to me."

I shook my head.

"No. You want me to obey you."

"I want you to understand there are rules in this house."

"I don't care about your rules."

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then he turned toward the servants.

"My order stays the same."

Mrs. Hayes looked shocked.

"Sir..."

"No one gives her food until I say so."

The servants lowered their heads.

"Yes, Mr. Devereux."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"You would really let me starve?"

His expression didn't change.

"I offered you food."

"No. You offered me a condition."

"You chose this."

Anger burned inside me.

"I chose my self-respect."

He looked at me for a long moment.

"Then live with your choice."

He turned and walked away.

I watched him disappear into his office before my knees suddenly felt weak.

I grabbed the staircase railing to stop myself from falling.

I was hungry.

I was tired.

But no matter how much it hurt...

I would never beg Lucian Devereux for anything.