CHAPTER THREE: Breaking The Rules

Water splashed against the bathtub as I sang quietly while taking my bath.

The sound of the running water was loud enough that I didn’t hear the bathroom door open.

I continued singing, completely unaware that someone was standing behind me.

Damien.

He stood there, watching me.

I turned slightly, and that was when I saw him.

My heart stopped.

I hadn’t locked the door.

I quickly covered myself.

“What are you doing here?”

His thick voice came out low and calm.

“Turn off the faucet.”

I found myself obeying.

The bathroom suddenly became quiet.

“Come out.”

I swallowed.

I grabbed my towel and wrapped it tightly around myself before stepping out of the bathtub.

Damien’s eyes moved over me.

Slowly.

I could feel my heart pounding against my chest.

He stepped closer.

I took a step backward until my back touched the wall.

He lifted my chin, making me look into his eyes.

Those blue eyes.

The same eyes that had always made me feel like he could see straight through me.

“Why do you keep looking at me like that?” he asked.

I swallowed.

“Like what?”

“Like you want me.”

My heart raced.

I couldn’t answer.

His fingers brushed against my cheek.

A shiver ran through me.

I wanted to move away.

I didn’t.

Instead, I found myself leaning into his touch.

“Tell me,” he whispered.

I looked into his eyes.

“I want you.”

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

“You’ve wanted me for a while, haven’t you?”

I nodded.

He moved closer.

My breathing became uneven.

“Say it.”

“Daddy…”

His expression changed at the sound of the name.

He leaned closer, his lips almost touching mine.

My eyes slowly closed.

I could feel his breath against my skin.

Then his lips touched mine.

Everything inside me seemed to melt.

I held onto his shirt as though I was afraid he would disappear.

The kiss became deeper, leaving me breathless.

I wanted more.

I wanted him closer.

I wanted—

My phone notification brought me back to reality.

I opened my eyes.

For a few seconds, I didn’t understand where I was.

Then I looked around.

My bedroom.

My heart was still pounding.

I sat up quickly.

It was a dream.

I covered my face with both hands.

“Oh my God.”

I couldn’t believe I’d dreamed about Damien like that.

I felt embarrassed.

But underneath the embarrassment was something else.

Disappointment.

Because for a few moments, the dream had felt real.

Too real.

I wanted him.

I wanted him right then, and that realization scared me.

I picked up my phone and checked the notification.

It was a message from Damien.

Daddy stepped out for work. Stay indoors.

I stared at the message.

Stay indoors?

How did he expect me to stay indoors all day in this lonely place?

I sighed and tossed the phone onto the bed.

I couldn’t spend the entire day staring at the ceiling.

After a while, I decided to take a stroll around the neighborhood.

I changed into something comfortable and left my room.

I didn’t want to go through the main gate and have the gatekeeper start asking questions, so I quietly slipped out through the back.

The street was quiet.

Very quiet.

There were beautiful houses lined along the road, each one looking more expensive than the last.

Some were even more beautiful than Damien’s house.

I walked slowly, enjoying the fresh air.

For the first time since arriving, I felt a little less trapped.

I didn’t go far.

I only wanted some fresh air before returning home.

But somehow, time passed faster than I expected.

By the time I returned, it was already getting late.

I walked toward the house, then suddenly stopped.

A car was parked in the driveway.

Damien was home.

My stomach tightened.

I had broken one of his rules.

On my very first day.

I walked inside slowly.

The living room was quiet.

Then I saw him.

Damien was seated on the couch.

His expression was cold.

His eyes met mine.

I immediately knew I was in trouble.

“Where have you been?”

I swallowed.

“I—”

“What did I tell you?”

I looked down.

He stood up.

“On your first day here, Jane?”

His voice was calm.

Too calm.

“And you’re already breaking my rules?”

“I just went for a walk.”

“You left the house without telling me.”

“I wasn’t gone for long.”

“That isn’t the point.”

I remained silent.

He took a few steps toward me.

“Look at me.”

I slowly raised my eyes.

He stared at me for a few seconds.

Then he spoke.

“You knew the rule.”

“Yes.”

“And you deliberately broke it.”

I didn’t have an answer.

He nodded slowly.

“Exactly.”

My heart began beating faster.

“What happens now?” I asked quietly.

His expression didn’t change.

“You’re going to learn why I don’t make rules for fun.”

He paused.

Then his voice became firm.

“On your knees.”

I stared at him.

My mouth fell open.

“Damien…”

His eyes remained fixed on mine.

“Now, Jane.”