The price for defiance

Chapter 13

"A cage lined with gold is still a cage."

Sophia woke up to the familiar scent of Adrian's cologne, dark and suffocating.

Her head was heavy, her body sore from the struggle last night. The memories hit her like a storm her escape, Liam's capture, Adrian finding her.

And now, she was back in his world, his prison.

The silk sheets felt like chains as she turned her head. Adrian sat on the edge of the bed, watching her with an expression that made her stomach twist. Cold. Unforgiving.

She swallowed hard. "Where's Liam?"

His lips curled into a smirk. "Alive. For now."

A shiver ran through her. Liam. She had dragged him into this.

"Please," she whispered. "He had nothing to do with it."

Adrian tilted his head. "Didn't he? He touched what's mine. Helped what's mine. That's a sin, Sophia."

Tears burned her eyes. "I'm not yours."

His hand shot out, grabbing her chin, forcing her to meet his dark gaze. "Say that again."

She clenched her fists. She wanted to fight, but fear held her hostage.

"You broke the rules," he murmured, his thumb brushing her lower lip. "And now you pay the price."

Her breath caught as he leaned in, his presence overwhelming. No. Not again.

"Adrian, please"

His lips brushed against her ear. "You'll learn, Sophia. I always get what I want."

His hand slid down, gripping her wrist, his control suffocating. This was her punishment. Not with bruises, not with chains, but with him.

And once again, he made her break.

---

Sophia sat in the large dining room, staring at the untouched plate of food before her. The long table stretched across the room, too big, too cold, too empty.

Adrian sat across from her, reading the morning paper like nothing had happened. Like he hadn't broken her all over again.

She pushed the plate away. "I want to go back to school."

The paper lowered slightly. A sharp silence filled the room.

Then Adrian chuckled. The sound made her blood turn cold.

"You want to go back?" His eyes met hers, dark with amusement. "Why?"

She swallowed. "I want to finish my degree."

Adrian leaned back in his chair, studying her. "And what makes you think I'll allow that?"

Her nails dug into her palm. "You took everything from me. At least let me have this."

The smirk disappeared. Silence. Heavy. Dangerous.

Then he stood, walking over to her side. A predator closing in.

He leaned down, lips brushing her temple. "No."

She exhaled shakily, fists clenched. She should have known.

"Finish your food," he murmured before walking away.

Sophia sat there, swallowing back the anger, the tears. She wasn't giving up. Not this time.

---

Later that day, Sophia sat in the living room, her hands curled around a cup of tea. She felt empty. Numb.

Then a voice echoed down the hall. A small, familiar voice.

Her heart stopped.

"Sophia?"

She turned sharply. Noah.

Tears welled up as she saw her little brother standing there, looking lost in the giant house.

She ran to him, dropping to her knees as she pulled him into a tight hug. "Noah!"

He hugged her back just as tightly. "I missed you!"

Sophia's chest tightened. She pulled away, brushing his dark curls from his face. "What are you doing here?"

Noah glanced behind her, and her stomach dropped.

Adrian stood by the doorway, hands in his pockets, watching them with a knowing smirk.

"I brought him here," Adrian said smoothly. "You should be thanking me."

Sophia's hands curled into fists. Of course. Another way to trap her.

Noah smiled up at her. "Now we can all be together, right?"

She forced a smile for him, even as her world fell apart all over again.

Because Adrian had won. Again.