Chapter 3

The car slowed as they reached the gates. Without anyone touching a thing, the tall iron doors slid open with a low hum. Julian's breath caught. Cameras blinked red from the shadows as the car rolled through.

They drove for what felt like forever. Tall trees lined the narrow road, their branches stretching overhead, shutting out the sky. The deeper they went, the quieter it became. No city sounds. No lights. Just the crunch of tires on gravel and the heavy truth that there was no turning back.

Julian sat stiffly in the back seat beside Adrian, his hands clenched tight in his lap. He stared out the window, his chest tightening when the trees finally parted.

The mansion rose before them, massive and dark, built of stone and glass. Soft lights glowed from tall windows, spilling across wide steps. It wasn't flashy, but it was overwhelming—too big, too silent, too powerful. It didn't feel like a home.

Julian swallowed hard. This wasn't a house. It was a world of its own. And he had just been driven straight into it.

A guard rushed to open the door. Adrian stepped out first. Julian stayed frozen, nervously twisting his fingers. No matter how hard he had fought, Adrian's men had overpowered him easily. Helpless. The image of his father and sister hugging each other as he was dragged away burned in his mind. He had searched their faces for regret, for sorrow, for anything, but their eyes had been empty. He meant nothing to them. They hadn't even hesitated to hand him over. The pain cut deeper than hate.

Adrian's voice snapped him back. "Come, pup."

Julian looked at him, his chest burning with anger. He wanted to last out, but what food would it do? He sighed, forcing himself to step out, trying not to break.

Adrian started toward the mansion. Julian didn't follow. He stood frozen, terrified of what waited inside.

Adrian turned back, his eyes cold. He walked to Julian. "Do you need me to carry you?" His voice was sharp. "If I wanted you dead, you'd already be dead."

Julian met his gaze, his voice trembling but firm. "Then do it. Kill me. At least you'll be doing me a favor."

Adrian scoffed. "Do you really want to die that badly?"

Julian didn't look away. "I'd choose death a thousand times over being with you."

Adrian smirked, amused by his stubbornness. Without another word, he lifted Julian as if he weighed nothing, slinging him over his shoulder.

Julian screamed, pounding against his back. "Let me go!"

Adrian's hand came down hard against him. "Enough, pup. Or I'll do more than just spank you."

Julian froze, his breath catching. He didn't know what Adrian meant, but he wasn't eager to find out.

Adrian carried Julian upstairs and into a room. Without a word, he walked to the bed and tossed Julian onto it. Julian panicked instantly, scrambling back until his body pressed against the headboard, his chest rising and falling in fear.

Adrian scoffed softly, amused by how terrified he looked. Deciding to tease him, he began unbuttoning his shirt slowly, then slipped it off.

Julian's hands shot out for a pillow, clutching it tightly. Adrian paused, stunned for a moment. "What could a fragile boy like him possibly do with a pillow?" He thought. He really has no sense of survival.

"Don't come close to me." Julian warned, his voice trembling. "I'm serious."

Adrian climbed onto the bed, his eyes locked on Julian. "What would you do? Kill me with a pillow?" He mocked. He snatched the pillow from Julian's grip and tossed it to the floor. Julian tried to strike him, but Adrian caught his hand easily. When Julian swung with the other, Adrian grabbed that too, pinning both above his head.

Julian's chest heaved rapidly, his eyes burning with fear and anger. "Don't you dare try anything stupid." He warned. "Just because my father gave me up doesn't mean you can do whatever you want to me."

Adrian's voice was calm, low and steady. "But it does, pup. That was the deal."

The longer Adrian stared into Julian's eyes, the harder it became to control himself. Julian's heterochromia — one eye blue, the other hazel — only added to his rare beauty. Adrian's gaze drifted to his lips, the urge to kiss him strong, but he held back.

"Soon, pup. Soon." Adrian whispered. Finally, he released Julian and stepped off the bed. "You must be hungry. I'll have someone bring food and clean clothes." With that, he left the room.

Julian let out a shaky sigh of relief. He rushed to the door, hoping Adrian had left it open, but found it locked. Rage surged through him. He kicked the door hard. "Fuck!"

He slid down to the floor, his strength fading. He had tried so hard to stay strong but everything was crumbling. His life had turned into a nightmare. "Am I cursed?" He thought bitterly. He had always hoped things would get better, but they only grew worse.

His thoughts drifted to his girlfriend. What would she do when she learned of this? Tears spilled down his cheeks as he wept. Even if he wanted to escape, there was no way. Guards were everywhere, cameras in every corner. He was sure he'd be shot before he even reached the gates.

Then, suddenly, an idea struck him. Dangerous, reckless, but it was the only chance he had.

Julian scrambled to his feet, his eyes scanning the room. His gaze landed on a flower vase by the window. He rushed to it, pulled the flowers out, and gripped the vase tightly. He stared at it for a long moment, his mind racing.

If he could get out of here, he would find her. They would run away together. Start over. Be free.

With a sharp motion, he smashed the vase on the floor. The sound echoed through the room. Before anyone could come in, Julian picked up a broken piece, his hands shaking, his eyes squeezing shut as he slit his wrist. He bit his lip hard to prevent himself from making a sound.

The broken piece fell from his hand, blood oozed out from his slit wrist, flowing downwards and onto the floor.

Julian only had one thought in mind. For her, this was worth it.