Chapter 4

Vivienne's POV

The silence in the small room was so heavy I could barely breathe. Draven didn't move. He just stood there, eyes fixed on the bed behind me.

"Your son..." Draven repeated slowly, his voice dropping into a cold, quiet shock. He took a step forward, his gaze shifting back to my face. "Since when do you have a son, Vivienne?"

The fear, frustration, and exhaustion I had been hiding for years completely broke me. My vision blurred as tears spilled down my cheeks. My legs gave out, and my knees hit the floor hard. I didn't care about my pride anymore. I didn't care about looking strong.

"He's sick, Draven," I sobbed, hands shaking in my lap as I forced my head up. "He's just a little boy, and his body is failing. His lungs are filling with fluid, and if he doesn't get this treatment right now, his organs are going to shut down."

Draven looked down at me, his jaw tightening as his shoulders squared over my shaking body. "And that's why you were at Club eighteen?"

"Yes!" I choked, wiping my nose against my sleeve. "I needed eight hundred thousand dollars! I didn't have a choice! The hospital won't even start the procedure, and I don't even have enough money to buy his next dose of medicine! I have nothing left!"

I dragged myself forward across the floor, throwing away every single bit of my dignity. My fingers wrapped around the bottom hem of his black shirt, squeezing the fabric tight as I looked up into his face, desperate.

"Please, Draven," I begged, my voice breaking into a whisper. "I know you hate me. I know you think I used you. Punish me, hate me, do whatever you want to me... but please, help my baby. I am begging you. Save his life."

Draven stood completely still. His chest rose and fell in slow, heavy breaths. I looked up into his eyes, searching his face, but his expression remained unreadable, hiding whatever mixed emotions were rushing through him.

His eyes shifted past my shoulder, locking onto Theo in the hospital bed.

Draven bent down slowly, his strong fingers wrapped around my wrist as he pulled me up off the floor. "Stand up," he said, voice calm. He didn't let go of me. His grip was tight and firm.

My chest heaved as I wiped my wet cheeks with my free hand, my pulse hammering against my ribs while I waited for his answer.

"Will you... will you help him?" I asked, my pulse racing as I broke the brief silence between us. Although I wanted nothing to do with him, I couldn't afford Theo's treatment, and I didn't have anyone else to turn to. I couldn't let my pride be the cause of my baby's death.

Draven leaned towards me until his lips brushed the shell of my ear, his scent of sandalwood and rain washing over me. "I will cover every single expense today," Draven whispered, his breath hot against my skin. "Full payment. And I will fly in the best medical team in the world to make sure he survives."

My knees nearly buckled again as my chest unknotted, a heavy sob tearing from my throat. "Thank you," I gasped out. "Thank you, Draven…"

"I'm not finished," he cut in, his grip on my wrist tightening just enough to pin me in place. "Nothing in my world is free, Vivienne. You don't get to take my help and run away into the night again."

He raised his free hand, his thumb pressing firmly against my cheek to wipe away a stray tear.

"I will save your boy," he said quietly, his voice smooth. "But in return, you belong to me. You will do whatever I ask, whenever I ask it, without any questions. You will pay back every single cent I spend today with your total obedience."

My blood ran cold. Cold sweat broke out across the back of my neck as my breath hitched in my throat. I parted my lips to argue, but then my eyes drifted back to Theo lying in the hospital bed. The words died in my throat as my racing pulse settled.

I turned back to him, meeting his gaze head-on as I gave a single, firm nod. "I agree."

Draven stared at me for a second longer, his face completely closed off. He let go of my wrist, reached into his pocket, pulled out a heavy black card, and tossed it onto the bedside table.

Without saying another word, he turned around and walked toward the door. As he stepped out into the hallway, the door shut quietly behind him, leaving the room completely silent again.

I walked over to the bed, my trembling fingers closing around Theo's barely warm hand as I watched Draven's tall figure disappear down the glass hallway.

"I'll do anything to save my son," I whispered, "Even if it means submitting to Draven.”