28

Petal's POV

“But I want to go home,” I said, my voice trembling with a mix of frustration and fear. I knew I wasn’t in a position to argue, but the words spilled out of me anyway.

“No arguments,” he said coldly, his gaze piercing through me. “Go take a shower, or else I don’t mind repeating earlier punishment.”

The last part of his sentence was delivered with a smirk, one so infuriating that I clenched my fists in frustration. How much I wanted to slap that smug expression right off his face. Jerk. My mind hissed the word like a mantra. But I didn’t dare challenge him further. I had learned my lesson—his threats were not empty, and I didn’t want to relive what had already happened.

Reluctantly, I nodded and made my way toward the bathroom, my legs feeling heavy with dread. My mind tried to console me, whispering reassurances I wasn’t entirely convinced of. It’s okay. Just endure it this one time. After this, we will never come here again.