Chapter 8- LINES DRAWN

I spent the morning trying to make myself useful. Anything to feel less like a shadow in this house. One of the younger maids was struggling with heavy flower vases in the main hall, so I stepped in to help carry one. Her eyes widened in surprise, but she gave me a small, grateful smile.

We were halfway across the hall when Adrian’s voice cut through the air.

“Serena.”

I froze. The vase nearly slipped from my hands. He stood at the top of the stairs, suit jacket off, sleeves rolled up like he’d been working. His eyes flicked from me to the maid and back.

“Put that down,” he said flatly. “Now.”

The maid scurried away without a word. I set the vase on the nearest table.

“I was only helping,” I said.

Adrian came down the stairs slowly. “Helping? Do you want them to see you as someone on equal terms with them? And then I'll share a bed with you?”

He grabbed my arm and pulled me toward his study before I could say anything. The door shut behind us with a solid click. I yanked my arm free, rubbing where his fingers had pressed.

“You can’t just drag me around like that,” I snapped.

Adrian leaned against his desk, arms crossed. “You don’t talk to the maids like you’re one of them. You don’t help with chores. You don’t make friends with anyone here. It confuses people on whom to serve.”

“Confuses them? Or embarrasses you?”

His jaw tightened. “Both. This family has standards. You represent me now, whether I like it or not.”

I laughed bitterly. “Standards? Like letting my sister sleep two doors down from our room and sneaking into her room almost every night?”

Adrian pushed off the desk and stepped closer. The air between us grew thick. “Careful.”

“No. You said last night nothing changes with Lia. Fine. But don’t expect me to play perfect little wife while you—”

He caught my face in one hand, not hard, but enough to stop my words. His thumb ran over my cheek. “You’re pushing every button today. Maybe you need reminding who’s in charge.”

Before I could answer, he kissed me. It wasn’t gentle. His mouth claimed mine, tongue pushing in like he owned the taste of me. I pushed at his chest at first, but my hands ended up gripping his shirt instead.

He broke the kiss and turned me around, bending me over his desk. Papers scattered under my palms.

“Adrian, wait—”

“No waiting.” His hands shoved my dress up to my waist. Cool air hit my skin as he ripped my panties down. “This is what happens when you forget the rules.”

I heard his zipper. Then he was there, hard and hot against me. He rubbed the head of his cock along my folds, feeling how wet I already was.

“Always ready for me,” he muttered. “Even when you’re angry.”

He thrust in deep. I gasped, fingers curling around the edge of the desk. The stretch burned in a way that made my toes curl.

“Tell me,” he said, starting to move. “Who do you belong to?”

I bit my lip, refusing to answer. He slapped my ass lightly, then harder when I stayed quiet.

“Say it, Serena.”

“You,” I whispered, hating how shaky my voice sounded.

“Louder.” His hips snapped forward, driving into me. The desk creaked under us.

“You! I belong to you.”

Adrian groaned and leaned over me, one hand reaching around to rub my clit. “Good. But you’re not her. Lia would moan my name sweeter. She’d beg nicer.”

The words stung like salt in a cut. Tears pricked my eyes, but my body clenched around him anyway. He felt it and chuckled darkly.

“See? Your pussy doesn’t care about pride. It just wants to be used.”

He fucked me faster, rougher. Each thrust pushed my hips into the desk. I tried to hold back my moans, but they spilled out anyway.

“Adrian, slow down…”

“No.” He gripped my hair, pulling my head back slightly. “You take it how I give it. And when I fill you up, you’re going to keep every drop. Maybe it’ll take this time. Put a baby in you so you finally understand your place here.”

My stomach flipped at his words. Breeding. He said it so casually, like it was just another way to control me. The thought terrified me, but it also sent heat rushing through my core.

He rubbed my clit harder. “Come on. Let go.”

I shattered around him, crying out as the orgasm hit. My legs shook. Adrian followed right after, burying himself deep and spilling inside me with a low curse. He stayed there, pulsing, making sure nothing wasted.

After a minute, he pulled out. I felt his cum trickle down my thigh. He turned me to face him, eyes scanning my flushed face.

“Clean up,” he said, voice calmer now. “And from today, you eat with us, dress how my mother says, and stay out of places you don’t belong. Understand?”

I nodded, still catching my breath. “Yes.”

He fixed his pants and walked to the door. Before leaving, he glanced back. “One more thing. Stop looking at me like I might change. I won’t.”

The door closed. I stayed bent over his desk for a while, legs weak, heart heavier than before. His words echoed in my head. The worst part was knowing my body craved more even as my mind screamed to run.

This house was swallowing me whole, one rule at a time.