Chapter 14: The Game Escalates

In this house, cruelty wasn't just a habit—it was a game. A game with no rules, where the only objective was to see how much I could take before I broke.

They didn't want obedience. They wanted destruction.

I thought I was starting to understand them. I thought I could see the patterns, anticipate the next move.

But I was wrong.

The Confrontation

It started in the library, where I thought I could steal a moment to myself.

The faint scent of old books wrapped around me, offering the smallest illusion of safety. I curled up in one of the chairs, closing my eyes for just a moment, pretending I wasn't trapped in their gilded cage.

The peace didn't last long.

"I didn't peg you as the bookish type," Adrian's voice cut through the quiet.

My eyes snapped open to find him leaning against the doorway, his storm-gray eyes glinting with amusement.

"What do you want, Adrian?" I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.

Adrian smirked, stepping into the room. "Is that any way to greet your husband?"

"You're not my husband," I snapped.

Adrian tilted his head, his grin widening. "Oh, sweetheart. I think you've forgotten how this works."

He moved closer, his presence suffocating, until he was standing right in front of me.

"Get out of my way," I said, trying to stand, but Adrian pushed me back into the chair with a firm hand on my shoulder.

"Not so fast," he said softly. "You've been getting awfully bold lately. I think it's time someone reminded you of your place."

"I don't have a place," I said, glaring up at him. "Not here. Not with you."

Adrian's smirk faltered, his storm-gray eyes narrowing. He crouched down in front of me, his hand sliding to the back of my neck.

"You don't get it, do you?" he said, his voice low and dangerous. "You're not leaving. You're not winning. You're ours, Sophia. And the sooner you accept that, the easier this will be."

"Let me go," I said, struggling against his grip.

Adrian chuckled, his hand tightening slightly. "Not until you start behaving."

Before I could respond, his lips crashed against mine—hard and unrelenting, like he was trying to claim something that wasn't his to take.

I shoved at his chest, my heart racing, but Adrian didn't let go. He finally pulled back, his smirk returning as he stood.

"See?" he said, his tone dripping with mockery. "That wasn't so bad."

"You're disgusting," I spat, wiping at my mouth.

Adrian's grin widened, but there was a sharpness in his eyes that sent chills down my spine. "And you're lucky I have a soft spot for you."

Leo's Control

I stumbled out of the library, my mind racing, but I didn't make it far.

"Stop," Leo's voice commanded from the end of the hall.

I froze, my chest tightening as his icy-blue eyes locked onto mine. He walked toward me slowly, his movements precise and deliberate.

"What happened?" Leo asked, his voice calm but cold.

"Ask Adrian," I said bitterly, my fists clenching at my sides.

Leo's gaze darkened. "Don't make me repeat myself, Sophia."

I hesitated, my throat tightening. "He—he kissed me."

For a moment, Leo said nothing, his expression unreadable. Then, without warning, he grabbed my arm, his grip firm but not painful, and pulled me toward his office.

The Office

The door clicked shut behind us, and the room suddenly felt too small, too suffocating.

Leo released my arm, his sharp blue eyes boring into mine.

"Do you think this is a joke?" he asked, his tone low and dangerous.

"What are you talking about?" I demanded, my voice trembling.

"You," Leo snapped, stepping closer. "You think you can keep pushing us, testing us, and there won't be consequences?"

"I didn't do anything," I said, my voice rising.

"Exactly," Leo said coldly. "You didn't stop him."

"I tried!" I yelled, my chest heaving. "But what was I supposed to do? You think I can fight any of you?"

Leo's hand shot out, gripping my chin and forcing me to look at him. "You can stop provoking us," he said sharply. "You can stop pretending you're innocent."

"Innocent?" I repeated, my voice breaking. "You think I want this? That I asked for any of this?"

Leo's grip tightened slightly before he released me, stepping back. "You're a part of this now," he said, his voice cold. "Whether you like it or not."

Nico Returns

By the time I returned to my room, my body was trembling, my mind spinning.

I barely had time to close the door before it opened again, and Nico stepped inside.

His emerald-green eyes flicked over me, taking in the redness on my wrists, the tears streaking my face.

"What happened?" Nico asked, his voice quiet but sharp.

"Why do you care?" I shot back, my frustration boiling over.

Nico raised an eyebrow, his expression calm but unreadable. "Answer the question."

"Adrian kissed me," I said bitterly, my fists clenching. "And Leo thinks it's my fault."

Nico's gaze darkened slightly, but his tone remained calm. "And what did you do?"

I stared at him, my chest tightening. "What do you think I did? I fought him."

"You're lying," Nico said softly, stepping closer. "You didn't fight. You froze."

I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out.

Nico tilted his head slightly, his emerald eyes piercing. "You're predictable, Sophia. That's your problem. You make it too easy for us."

"Why are you even here?" I asked, my voice trembling. "To gloat? To tell me how weak I am?"

"I'm here to remind you," Nico said, his voice low and menacing. "You don't belong to yourself anymore. You belong to us."

The Shattering Resolve

When Nico finally left, I collapsed onto the floor, my tears falling freely. My chest ached, my throat raw, but I couldn't stop.

They weren't just breaking me. They were erasing me.