The Consequences

Mia slipped out of the hotel room just as the sun began to rise, her skin still flushed from the night's fevered touches. Lucas's scent clung to her, a reminder of the freedom she had stolen in the darkness. But as she stepped into the cold morning air, reality crept back in Victor wouldn't let this go.

Her phone buzzed violently in her pocket. Victor.

She hesitated before answering. "Hello?"

His voice was cold, razor-sharp. "You think I wouldn't find out?" There was no rage in his tone only dangerous, quiet certainty. "I warned you, Mia. You're mine."

Her breath caught in her throat. "I'm not your fucking property," she snapped, surprising even herself. But the words, spoken aloud, ignited something inside her a spark of defiance.

Victor laughed softly, but there was no humor in it. "You seem to have forgotten how easily I can ruin you. You think you're free? You think Lucas can protect you?" He paused, his voice lowering to a growl. "I own everything your career, your life. I can destroy it all."

A chill ran down her spine. She wanted to believe she was strong enough to walk away, but Victor's reach extended far beyond their bedroom. He wasn't a man who let go easily.

That night, as she tried to lose herself in work, a package arrived at her apartment. No note just a flash drive. Her heart pounded as she plugged it into her laptop. The screen flickered to life, revealing security footage from the hotel her and Lucas, tangled together in raw, undeniable intimacy.

A cold wave of fear swept over her. Victor wasn't bluffing.

Her phone buzzed again. Another message.

"You have a choice, Mia. Come back to me, where you belong or watch everything you love burn."

Tears burned at the corners of her eyes, but beneath the fear, anger brewed. Victor thought he owned her. He thought she would crawl back and beg. But she was done being a pawn in his twisted game.

For the first time, she wasn't just afraid she was ready to fight.

And no matter what it took, Mia vowed to break free on her terms.