Chapter 8 - You're mine.

After enduring a difficult night, Serena could finally breathe a little easier. Once Steave kept his promise to continue covering the medical expenses, the hospital immediately transferred her mother back to the intensive care unit.

Her mother slept peacefully in the hospital bed. Her breathing was now stable, the life-support equipment had been removed, and the doctors said her condition was beginning to improve. Serena sat beside the bed, holding her mother's hand tightly.

“Mom, I'm sorry for being so reckless. Thank you for holding on,” she whispered, a faint smile touching her lips. “Thank You, God...”

Her heart felt at peace, yet at the same time, an ache settled deep inside her chest.

Every passing second reminded her of the bitter truth. Every hospital bill, every medication, even this VIP room, was being paid for by Steave.

And now, she had to fulfill his condition.

Serena looked at her mother's face one last time before standing. She wiped away her tears and left the room with sluggish steps. Outside the hospital, she waited for a taxi, staring blankly ahead. The wind brushed through her hair while her tired eyes fixed on the busy streets without truly seeing anything.

“Nothing in this world comes for free,” she murmured softly.

When the taxi arrived, Serena climbed in and rested her head against the window. The winding roads and the hum of the engine accompanied her thoughts, which were filled with uncertainty. She stared at her reflection in the glass, trying to find courage in her own eyes.

Stepmother.

The words appeared on her phone screen.

“Why is she calling me?” Serena muttered.

After the phone rang three times, she finally answered.

“Serena!” Claudia practically shouted from the other end.

“I can hear you. There's no need to raise your voice, Stepmother,” Serena replied.

“Ethan told your father that he hasn't been able to reach you or see you. You haven't caused any trouble, have you?”

I'm getting tired of her tone, Serena thought.

“I've been busy.”

“Busy? How busy can you be that you're neglecting your own fiancé?”

“Very busy. I've been going back and forth to the hospital to see my mother.”

“Don't make excuses. Go see Ethan immediately and fix your mistake for ignoring him.”

Click.

Serena ended the call without another word. She was sick of being ordered around.

Before she could fully process her irritation toward her stepmother, her phone vibrated again. The name on the screen made her chest tighten even more.

Ethan.

Serena took a deep breath before answering.

“Hello.”

Her voice sounded flat.

“Serena, where are you? You haven't come home in days. Did something happen? Tell me where you are right now and I'll come to you,” Ethan said gently from the other end of the line.

For some reason, his concern only disgusted her more.

“That's not necessary, Ethan. Everything's fine.”

“Are you sure? I'm worried, Ren. I...”

Serena cut him off.

“I'm busy, Ethan. I have something I need to take care of. I'll call you later.”

Before Ethan could say anything else, Serena pressed the red button and ended the call. She stared at the screen for a moment before closing her eyes.

Wave after wave of anger crashed against her chest.

She truly had no desire to endure Ethan's fake concern anymore.

Serena already knew everything.

Several minutes later, the taxi stopped in front of a towering glass-covered building.

The same place as last night.

The security staff immediately allowed her inside after she gave her name. The elevator to the top floor opened, and Serena stepped in. Soft music played inside the elevator, but instead of calming her nerves, it made her heart pound even faster.

The numbers on the display rose slowly.

21... 22... 23... Penthouse.

The doors opened.

Paul, Steave's assistant, was already standing upright in front of the apartment entrance.

“Welcome, Miss Serena,” he said politely with a slight bow.

Serena merely nodded without speaking. Her hands felt cold as Paul opened the door for her.

The apartment was as silent as it had been the night before.

Serena stepped inside, and her eyes immediately found the figure of a man standing beside the massive window, looking out over the city from above.

Steave wore a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. The afternoon light highlighted the silhouette of his tall, commanding frame.

He didn't turn around.

Instead, he spoke in a voice filled with pressure.

“So, you've finally come.”

The words sounded cold, like an unquestionable command.

Serena bit her lower lip and slowly walked toward him.

“Mr. Steave...” she called hesitantly.

At last, he turned around.

His gaze was sharp and unreadable.

There was a dangerous calm in his eyes, like a lion waiting for its prey to approach willingly.

“So you're ready to keep your promise?” he asked flatly.

Serena swallowed hard.

“I... I've thought about everything. I just want you to know that I'm doing this not because I want to, but because I don't have any other choice.”

Steave slowly walked toward her. His footsteps echoed clearly against the floor.

“That was always the consequence.”

He stopped directly in front of her.

His fingertips lifted Serena's chin, gentle yet firm, forcing her to look at him.

Serena fell silent.

Her breathing quickened.

The cold aura radiating from the man before her sent her heartbeat into chaos. She could smell the expensive cologne lingering on his clothes.

“If you're going to keep your promise,” Steave continued, “then do it properly. The way you agreed to.”

“Mr. Steave...”

“No explanations.”

His voice dropped lower, soft yet intimidating.

“I've already given you what you needed. Now it's your turn to give me what I want.”

Serena took a step back, but Steave caught her wrist.

The touch made her freeze.

Their eyes met, and within his gaze, Serena found no mercy, only power and absolute control.

Her hand trembled, but she forced herself to straighten her shoulders.

“All right. I'll keep my promise.”

A faint smile touched Steave's lips.

“Good.”

He released her wrist and walked to the large sofa in the living room. Sitting down casually, he looked at her.

“Close the door.”

Serena stared at him for several seconds before finally obeying.

The partition door shut with a click that echoed through the spacious room.

She stood rigidly in place.

“I don't know where to start.”

Steave rose from his seat.

“You don't need to think so much. I'll guide you.”

Serena remained silent.

She could hear her own heartbeat, fast and loud.

When he stopped directly in front of her, their shadows merged beneath the glow of the lights. Steave's gaze slowly traced her face, as though weighing something in his mind.

Serena gripped the edge of her blazer tightly, trying to remain standing tall.

Steave looked at her for a long moment before whispering a single sentence that instantly made her body go rigid.

“From now on, you belong to me, Serena.”