PRICE OF GRATITUDE

CHAPTER FOUR: PRICE OF GRATITUDE

SERENA'S POV

The silence in the car was suffocating after Caspian’s warning.

His words still burned against my swollen lips as the car pulled up to the mansion. I didn’t answer him then, and I wouldn’t now. Not when every instinct in my body screamed that telling him would only give him more power over me.

We stepped inside the grand foyer, the echo of our footsteps is the only sound audible in the house. The gown suddenly felt too tight, too exposing. Caspian’s presence loomed behind me as he locked the door with a soft click that sounded final.

“Strip Serena,” he ordered, his voice low and commanding.

I froze halfway up the staircase, turning to stare at him. “W…what?”

He loosened his tie slowly, his grey eyes darkening as they raked over me. “You heard me, darling wife. Take off the gown. Now.”

My heart hammered in my chest. “Caspian—”

“The treatment for your brother,” he cut in smoothly, stepping closer until I could smell his cologne mixed with the faint whiskey from the gala. “I’ll have him moved to the top of the list by morning. Are you going to thank me properly, or do I need to remind you how this works?”

The reminder hit me like a bucket of ice water poured over me. Lucas. For him, I would do anything. Even this. Even swallowing my pride.

“Fine,” I whispered, my voice shaking with a mix of resentment and that traitorous heat pooling low in my belly. I reached behind me, slowly unzipping the gown. The fabric slid down my body, pooling at my feet. I stood there in nothing but my black lace panties and heels. I crossed over my breasts, trying to have some dignity.

Caspian’s gaze burned. “All of it.”

I rolled my eyes and shoved the panties down and kicked them aside, standing completely bare before him. Vulnerable and exposed. Hating how my nipples tightened under his stare.

He sat on the edge of the leather sofa in the living room, his legs spread, and staring at me. like a powerful king on his throne. “On your knees, Serena. Show me how grateful you are.”

My legs moved before my mind could protest. I knelt between his thighs, my hands trembling as I undid his belt and freed his thick cock. It was already hard, the veins prominent, the head glistening. God, I hated him. Hated how much I wanted this even while my mind screamed warnings.

I took him into my mouth, swirling my tongue around the tip before sliding down as far as I could. Caspian groaned, his hand fisting my hair tightly, guiding my head.

“That’s it,” he rasped. “Suck it like you mean it, darling wife.”

I worked him harder, hollowing my cheeks and gagging when he hit the back of my throat. Tears pricked my eyes from the stretch, but I didn’t stop. Saliva dripped down my chin as I bobbed my head, the wet, obscene sounds filling the room. His hips bucked up, slowly fucking my mouth .

Suddenly, he pulled my head back sharply, his cock slipping from my lips with a wet pop. Strings of saliva connected us. His thumb rubbed roughly over my swollen, messy lips, smearing the mess while his grey eyes bored into mine.

“Serena, tell me what’s wrong,” he demanded, voice rough with lust and suspicion. “Don’t lie to me. I know you're keeping something from me.”

I stayed silent, my eyes watery, his cock still inches from my face. I wanted to tell him everything. To tell him my fears because I know he'd try to make it all better. But the words were lodged in my throat. Telling him would make everything worse. He’d lock me down even tighter.

Caspian smirked at my reluctance. “Fine. We'd do it your way.” He gripped his cock and slapped it against my cheek once, twice, the wet sound humiliating and arousing all at once. “Stubborn little thing. Open.”

I parted my lips again, taking him back in my mouth. He groaned, fisting my hair tighter as I sucked him with renewed intensity, my tongue working the underside of his shaft while tears trailed down my cheeks. The mix of power, shame, and desperate need made my thighs slick.

His phone suddenly rang on the table beside us. Caspian glanced at it, his jaw clenching, but didn’t stop me immediately. He continued fucking my mouth.

“Mhnn… yes,” he answered, my voice strained as I continued working him slowly. “I understand, alright. I’m on my way.”

He ended the call and pulled me off his cock with a sharp tug. Before I could catch my breath, he yanked me up and kissed me hard,deep and possessive, tasting himself on my tongue. When he pulled back, his eyes were stormy.

“Rest Serena,” he said, his thumb brushing my cheek almost gently. “Get something to eat. I may not be back tonight.”

I nodded, my throat raw, and body aching with unfulfilled need. As he adjusted himself and stood up , reality hit me again. This was my life now. Trading pieces of myself for Lucas’s survival.

“Caspian,” I called out softly as he reached the door. He paused, looking back. “Thank you. For Lucas. He’ll get the treatment, right? He’ll be okay?”

Something flickered in his expression. “He will. I'd take care of it. I promise, okay?”

Then he was gone, the door closing behind him sharply.

I sank onto the sofa, still naked, pulling a throw blanket over myself, closing my eyes. My phone buzzed again in my clutch across the room. I didn’t check it. Not tonight. They could wait until morning.

For now, I had bought my brother more time. And paid for it with another piece of my soul.

But as I touched my swollen lips, Caspian’s warning echoed in my head.

“Don’t lie to me, Serena.”

How long could I keep hiding the truth before everything exploded in my face?