The Golden Cage Tightens

Amelia’s phone slipped from her fingers and hit the marble floor with a dull sound that echoed far too loudly in the penthouse.

Maxwell Reynolds has been detained for questioning.

The words burned into her mind.

She looked up slowly at Lawson, her chest heaving, her pulse roaring in her ears. “You did this.”

Lawson didn’t deny it. He didn’t even blink.

“I warned you,” he said calmly. “You chose not to listen.”

“You had no right,” Amelia whispered, her voice cracking. “He didn’t do anything.”

Lawson stepped closer, towering over her. “He did exactly what I told you not to allow—he gave you hope.”

“That’s not a crime.”

“In my world,” Lawson replied coolly, “it is.”

Amelia’s hands curled into fists. “Let him go.”

Lawson tilted his head slightly, studying her. “And why would I do that?”

“Because this—this is cruel,” she said, tears spilling despite her effort to hold them back. “You’re punishing an innocent man to control me.”

His eyes hardened. “I’m correcting a mistake.”

She shook her head in disbelief. “You’re sick.”

Lawson’s jaw tightened. “Careful.”

“You think fear will make me love you?” she demanded. “All it’s doing is teaching me how much I hate you.”

For the first time, something shifted in his expression—something sharp and dangerous.

“I don’t need your love,” he said quietly. “I need your obedience.”

She laughed bitterly. “You’ll never have it.”

Lawson reached out and gripped her chin, forcing her to look at him. His touch wasn’t rough, but it was unyielding.

“You will,” he said. “Because every time you defy me, someone you care about pays the price.”

Her breath hitched. “You monster.”

He released her abruptly and turned away. “Anita,” he called.

Almost immediately, Anita appeared, composed as always, tablet in hand.

“Yes, sir?”

“Cancel tomorrow’s meetings,” Lawson said. “My wife won’t be leaving the penthouse.”

Amelia’s heart dropped. “What?”

Anita glanced at her briefly, then back at Lawson. “Understood.”

“You can’t lock me up,” Amelia said sharply. “I’m not a prisoner.”

Lawson turned back to her, his gaze cold. “You’re exactly that. Until you remember your place.”

Anita hesitated. “Sir, about Mr. Maxwell—”

“Keep him where he is,” Lawson said without hesitation. “I’ll decide what happens to him.”

Amelia lunged forward. “Don’t you dare—”

Lawson raised a hand, silencing her instantly.

Anita nodded and left.

The door closed.

Amelia’s legs gave out. She sank onto the couch, her entire body trembling. “Please,” she whispered, the word tearing out of her chest. “This has gone too far.”

Lawson watched her for a long moment. “It went too far the moment you stopped being afraid.”

She looked up at him, tears streaming freely now. “I’ll do whatever you want,” she said desperately. “Just don’t hurt him.”

Something dark flickered in Lawson’s eyes.

“Whatever I want?” he repeated slowly.

“Yes,” she said, her voice breaking. “Anything.”

He walked toward her, his steps unhurried, predatory. He stopped in front of her, looking down.

“Stand up,” he ordered.

She obeyed.

“Say it,” he continued.

“Say what?”

“That you’re mine.”

Her throat tightened painfully. “I’m… your wife.”

His eyes narrowed. “Not good enough.”

Her hands shook. “I’m yours.”

The words tasted like poison.

Lawson studied her face carefully, as though weighing her sincerity. Then he nodded once.

“Good,” he said. “Now listen carefully.”

He bent slightly, bringing his face close to hers. “Maxwell stays detained for now. That’s nonnegotiable.”

Her heart clenched. “You promised—”

“I promised nothing,” Lawson cut in. “What I’m offering is a possibility.”

She swallowed. “What possibility?”

“That if you prove yourself,” he said calmly, “he walks away unharmed.”

“And if I don’t?” she asked quietly.

Lawson straightened. “Then his situation becomes… complicated.”

Fear flooded her veins.

“What do you want from me?” she whispered again.

Lawson took a step back, giving her just enough space to breathe. “You will stop resisting. Publicly and privately.”

“I already—”

“You will move into my bed,” he continued. “No more couch. No more distance.”

Her eyes widened. “You said—”

“I changed my mind,” he repeated coldly. “You will act like my wife in every sense.”

She shook her head, panic rising. “You can’t force intimacy.”

“I don’t need intimacy,” he said. “I need submission.”

Tears spilled freely now. “This is blackmail.”

“Yes,” Lawson said plainly. “And it’s working.”

Silence swallowed the room.

Finally, Amelia whispered, “If I do this… you let him go.”

Lawson didn’t answer immediately. He turned toward the window, staring out at the city lights.

“Convince me,” he said.

That night was unbearable.

Amelia lay rigid on the far edge of the bed, her body tense, every nerve screaming. Lawson lay beside her, fully dressed, his presence heavy and suffocating.

He didn’t touch her.

Which somehow made it worse.

Every second felt like waiting for something terrible to happen.

“You’re shaking,” Lawson said quietly.

“Don’t,” she replied.

“I told you fear would teach you,” he continued. “You just didn’t believe me.”

She turned her face toward the wall. “You enjoy this.”

“I enjoy control,” he corrected. “And you’re finally learning.”

She clenched her eyes shut, silently begging for the night to end.

The days that followed blurred together.

Amelia wasn’t allowed to leave the penthouse. Her phone was monitored. Her interactions controlled. Even Sophie’s calls were limited, screened.

Lawson was everywhere and nowhere at once—always watching, always knowing.

Maxwell remained detained.

Every time Amelia asked, Lawson’s answer was the same.

“Soon.”

Soon became torture.

Then one afternoon, Anita appeared at Amelia’s door.

“Get dressed,” she said. “You’re coming with us.”

“Where?” Amelia asked warily.

“A meeting,” Anita replied. “Mr. Reynolds believes you’re ready.”

Amelia’s heart pounded. “Ready for what?”

Anita didn’t answer.

They drove to a private building downtown, heavily guarded. Amelia’s stomach twisted as they were escorted inside.

A door opened.

Maxwell sat at a table, his hands free but his posture tense. He looked tired—but unharmed.

Relief slammed into Amelia so hard her knees nearly buckled.

“Maxwell,” she breathed.

He looked up, surprise flashing across his face. “Amelia.”

Lawson stepped forward. “You have five minutes.”

Amelia rushed to Maxwell’s side. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “This is my fault.”

Maxwell shook his head. “No. He wanted leverage.”

“Are you okay?” she asked urgently.

“I will be,” he replied. His gaze hardened as he looked at Lawson. “If you’re done playing games.”

Lawson’s lips curved. “I’m just getting started.”

Maxwell stood slowly. “Let her go.”

Lawson laughed softly. “You don’t get to make demands.”

Maxwell stepped closer to Amelia. “You don’t have to do this.”

Lawson’s eyes darkened. “You’re overstepping.”

Amelia’s heart raced. “Please,” she whispered to Maxwell. “Don’t provoke him.”

Maxwell looked at her, pain flickering across his face. “He’s breaking you.”

Lawson moved instantly.

Two guards stepped in, grabbing Maxwell’s arms.

“Enough,” Lawson said coldly. “Time’s up.”

Amelia screamed. “Stop!”

Lawson turned to her. “Now you see what happens when you hesitate.”

Maxwell was dragged toward the door. He twisted back toward her.

“Don’t give him your soul,” he said urgently. “Whatever he makes you do—don’t let him take that.”

The door slammed shut.

Amelia collapsed, sobbing.

Lawson watched her without expression.

“Go home,” he said to Anita. “My wife needs rest.”

That night, Amelia sat alone in the bedroom, staring at the ring on her finger.

She had given Lawson everything he wanted.

And it still wasn’t enough.

Her phone buzzed quietly.

An unknown number.

Her heart pounded as she opened the message.

You’re not as trapped as you think. I have proof that can destroy him.

Her breath caught.

Another message followed.

If you want Maxwell free… you need to trust me.

Amelia’s hands shook as she stared at the screen.

Across the room, the bedroom door opened.

Lawson stood there, his eyes immediately locking onto her phone.

“What,” he asked softly, dangerously, “are you hiding now?”