Chapter 3: Selling her off

Where could she be?

Dominic groaned in frustration, raking his fingers through his hair and sweeping the strands back. His pulse pounded with unease.

"Maybe she went to her mother’s house…" The thought struck him, and without wasting another second, he started the car and sped off.

When he arrived, he barely waited for the engine to shut off before stepping out. His strides were quick, purposeful. The maids and servants greeted him as he passed, but he didn’t acknowledge them.

He pushed the door open without knocking.

Janet sat in the dimly lit room, dressed in modest yet elegant attire, a steaming cup of tea in her hands. She took a slow sip, the movement deliberate, almost regal.

Her gaze lifted lazily as he barged in, barely lingering on him before she set the cup down.

"What happened, son? What brings you here at this hour?" she asked, her voice calm, yet tinged with mild surprise.

Dominic didn’t waste time. "Did Tessa come here?" Urgency laced his tone.

Janet’s lips curled into a smirk. "Who’s Tessa?" she asked mockingly.

His patience snapped. "Stop playing games, Janet! Tessa—your only child—is missing! She’s been kidnapped! Drop the damn pride and help me!"

Janet leaned back, unimpressed. "And so? What if she’s kidnapped?"

Dominic’s hands clenched into fists. "Are you serious right now?!"

Janet exhaled, shaking her head. "Did she think about me when she walked out of this house, telling me she wanted nothing to do with me? All for that pathetic excuse of a husband?"

Dominic’s jaw tightened. "She just wanted to be happy. Why can’t you let go of your grudge?"

Janet scoffed. "Forgive and forget? Please."

Dominic let out a bitter laugh, his eyes filled with disappointment. "Forget it. I won’t waste my breath." He turned on his heels and stormed out.

The moment the door shut behind him, Janet picked up her phone and dialed a number.

"Send some guards to search the city for Tessa and don't come back until you find her." Her voice was cold, clipped.

Hanging up, she leaned back, rubbing her forehead.

"Oh, stupid Tessa…" she muttered under her breath.

___

[Abandoned Warehouse]

Darkness. Pain. Silence.

Tessa’s head throbbed, the dull ache radiating down her neck. Her body felt broken, bound tightly to a chair, her wrists and ankles digging into rough ropes. A thick cloth gag pressed against her lips, the taste of fabric and dried blood making her stomach churn.

The room smelled of damp wood and dust, a dim light flickering from above.

Then, footsteps.

Slow. Measured.

A shadow loomed before her.

Tamlin.

He stepped into the light, dressed in a dark shirt, his sleeves rolled up, exposing the bandages wrapped around his forearm. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes—those same brown eyes she once adored—held nothing but cruel amusement.

He crouched in front of her, tilting his head like he was admiring a fragile piece of art. Then, his fingers gripped her chin, forcing her to look at him.

"You’re awake," he murmured. "Good."

Tessa let out a muffled sound, jerking against the restraints.

Tamlin chuckled, running his thumb along her bruised cheek. "Still so stubborn."

His fingers moved to the knot at the back of her head, loosening the cloth. The gag fell away, damp with her saliva.

She coughed, her throat burning. Air rushed into her lungs in shallow, ragged gasps.

"You bastard," she rasped.

Tamlin’s smirk widened. "That’s the first thing you say to me?" He stood, rolling his shoulders lazily. "I expected something more… grateful. After all, I kept you alive."

Tessa spat blood onto the floor. "Go to hell."

He let out a slow sigh. "Already there, darling. And now, you’re here with me."

He turned to a small desk, flipping open a thick folder before dropping it onto her lap.

TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP.

Her stomach turned to stone.

It was everything—her properties, her businesses, her life’s work.

"Sign it."

Tessa clenched her fists. "You’re insane if you think I’m giving you anything."

Tamlin sighed, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "I was hoping you'd be reasonable, Tessa."

He reached to the side, opened a cabinet, and pulled something out.

A metal rod.

Tessa’s pulse spiked.

Tamlin tested its weight in his hands, tapping it lightly against his palm before turning back to her.

"You don’t get to say no," he murmured.

The first strike came before she could brace herself.

Pain exploded through her thigh, sharp and merciless. A strangled cry tore from her lips.

Her body jerked, but the ropes held her down.

Tamlin watched her writhe, his expression unreadable. "Sign the papers, Tessa."

Her breath came in ragged gasps. Tears burned her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. "Go to hell."

Another blow.

Tessa let out a broken sob.

Tamlin crouched beside her again, his voice eerily soft. "The sooner you sign, the sooner this ends."

She met his gaze through blurry vision, her body trembling. But she wouldn’t—couldn’t—give in.

Not yet.

___

[Hours Later]

Tamlin watched her, impatience creeping into his features. He had done everything—every method of persuasion he knew. And yet, Tessa still wouldn’t break.

But he knew one thing that would.

Dominic.

"Why didn’t I do this earlier?"

Tessa lifted her head weakly, golden hair stained in blood.

Tamlin slipped his phone from his pocket, tapping the screen a few times before holding it up to her.

Her blurry vision focused.

A gun pressed against Dominic’s head.

Tessa’s body froze.

"You're a monster," she choked out.

Tamlin chuckled darkly. "Now you choose. Your properties… or Dominic?"

His smirk widened. "Choose wisely, darling."

Tessa’s breath came in short, panicked gasps.

There was nothing she could do.

She had lost so much already.

But she couldn’t lose Dominic.

Her lips trembled. "I… I’ll sign it."

Tamlin’s grin stretched. He stepped forward, brushing a bloodied strand of hair from her face. "Good girl."

He turned to his men. "Unchain her."

The ropes loosened, falling away. Tessa’s body slumped forward, her limbs stiff from the restraints.

The guards hauled her up, dragging her to the table.

A pen was placed in her hand.

Tears blurred her vision as she scrawled her name onto the papers.

A single drop of blood-streaked tears hit the page.

Tamlin took the documents, his smirk widening.

"Finally."

Then, he turned away.

"Chain her again. I’m not done yet."

Tessa’s eyes widened. "I gave you what you wanted!"

Tamlin only laughed as the guards dragged her back into the darkness.

___

Thud.

The sound of a body hitting the ground echoed through the silent night, followed by the sharp screech of tires against the asphalt.

Dominic groaned, his head pounding as he blinked rapidly, trying to clear his vision. The world around him swayed slightly, and for a moment, he struggled to remember where he was.

"What the hell…?" he muttered, pushing himself up. His clothes were slightly disheveled, dirt smudging the fabric. He winced as he straightened, rolling his shoulders.

Had he fallen asleep?

He glanced around, his car parked haphazardly nearby, engine still running.

"Maybe I dozed off…" He rubbed his temples, frustration settling in. But he couldn’t afford to rest—not now.

Not when Tessa was missing.

The mere thought sent a fresh wave of urgency through him. He shook off the lingering dizziness, climbed into the driver’s seat, and slammed the door shut. The car roared to life as he pressed the accelerator, speeding toward the next place that came to mind.

Tamlin's house.

---

Inside Tamlin’s Mansion

Laughter filled the lavishly decorated living room, the air thick with the scent of expensive champagne. Yasmin twirled the glass in her hand, watching as the golden liquid swirled under the dim chandelier lights.

Tamlin sat across from her, his lips curling into a smirk as he lifted his own drink.

"To victory," he said smoothly, clinking his glass against hers.

"To finally getting what we deserve," Yasmin added, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

Tamlin leaned back, exhaling contentedly. "All these years, she thought she was untouchable. Thought she could walk away unscathed."

Yasmin chuckled. "And now? Everything she owned… is ours."

Tamlin tilted his head. "She should’ve just listened. Would’ve saved herself the trouble."

Yasmin’s smile widened. "But then we wouldn’t have had this much fun, would we?"

Tamlin hummed in agreement, taking another sip.

A sudden loud bang echoed through the house.

The doors flung open.

Dominic stormed in.

His breath was ragged, eyes burning with fury as he took in the scene before him—Tamlin lounging comfortably, Yasmin beside him, both of them celebrating like they hadn't just destroyed someone’s life.

"Where is she?" His voice was low, but the venom in it was unmistakable.

Tamlin barely spared him a glance. "You barge into my house without an invitation… and demand answers?" He scoffed, swirling the drink in his glass. "How bold."

Dominic clenched his fists. "Don’t play games with me, Tamlin. Where. Is. Tessa?"

Tamlin feigned confusion, turning to Yasmin with a smirk. "Do you hear something? Because all I hear is a desperate man grasping at straws."

Yasmin laughed softly.

Dominic took a threatening step forward. "Tell me where she is, or so help me, I—"

Tamlin sighed dramatically, setting his glass down. "You really should learn to control that temper of yours, Dominic. It’s… unflattering."

"Enough bullshit!" Dominic lunged forward, his patience snapping like a brittle thread. But before he could lay a finger on Tamlin, two guards intercepted him.

Thick arms locked around his shoulders, restraining him as he thrashed.

"You son of a—"

Tamlin stood, slowly buttoning his cuffs as he approached Dominic with measured steps. "You should leave while you still can. I’m in a good mood tonight, so I’ll let this slide. But push me… and I’ll make sure you regret it."

Dominic growled, struggling against the guards, but they were stronger. Tamlin leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"She’s gone, Dominic. And she’s never coming back."

Rage flared in Dominic’s eyes, but before he could react, the guards shoved him backward.

With a rough kick, he was thrown out of the house.

Dominic stumbled, barely catching himself as the heavy doors slammed shut behind him. His breaths came in ragged, uneven gasps.

His fists tightened until his nails dug into his palms. Tamlin had lied. He knew it. He could see it in his smug face.

Cursing under his breath, Dominic staggered to his feet. His jaw tightened as he wiped the blood from his lip, his mind racing.

Tessa was still missing.

And this wasn’t over.

But for now, he needed to go home. He was exhausted.

___

Tamlin swirled the amber liquid in his glass, a slow smirk spreading across his face. He leaned back into the plush couch, watching the ice clink softly against the glass as he took a sip.

"That fool is still so helplessly in love with her?" he scoffed, shaking his head in amusement.

Yasmin let out a soft giggle, pressing herself against his chest, her fingers tracing lazy patterns over his shirt. "Dominic always was pathetic," she murmured, her lips grazing his jaw.

Tamlin hummed in agreement, his free hand resting possessively on her waist.

"What about Vernon?" she asked, her tone shifting slightly. "Will the money be enough to pay him?"

Tamlin's smirk deepened. He placed his glass down, running a hand through his hair. "That's where Tessa becomes useful," he mused, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "I still owe him twenty million dollars. Instead of paying, I give him Tessa as collateral."

Yasmin’s eyes gleamed with delight. She tilted her head, her lips curling into a wicked smile before capturing his in a deep kiss.

When she pulled away, her voice was laced with admiration. "You're so damn smart," she purred. "And it'll be easy, too. I heard Vernon loves anything under a skirt."

Tamlin chuckled darkly, taking another slow sip of his drink.

"Then it's settled."