Chapter 33

Trisha sat curled up on the edge of her bed, her arms tightly wrapped around a pillow, rage bubbling just beneath her skin. Her room, usually a haven of luxury and calm, now felt suffocating, walls closing in with every breath she took. The events from earlier played on repeat in her head: the look in Ana's eyes, the slap, the shame, the mocking stares. She clenched her jaw, her fingers digging into the pillow's seams.

How dare she? That wretched girl humiliated her. In front of everyone.

A knock at the door pulled her from her spiraling thoughts. She didn't respond, and yet the door creaked open anyway.

"Trisha," came Russell's deep voice, soft and careful, "are you okay?"

She turned away from him, not wanting him to see the tears that had long dried on her cheeks. "Why are you here?" she snapped.

Russell stepped inside, shutting the door behind him. "I heard what happened... and I thought you could use some company."

Her eyes flickered toward him, lips twisting in disdain. "Company? Or did you come to lecture me too? Defend your precious Ana like everyone else is doing now?"

Russell sighed and took a seat at the foot of her bed. "Trisha, you know I've always looked out for you. But maybe you went too far this time. Ana didn't ask for that confrontation..."

"Enough!" she cut in sharply, turning to glare at him. "You're defending her too? Just like the rest of them?" Her tone was venomous. "Tell me, Russell... are you also interested in her?"

The question hung heavily in the air. For a moment, he said nothing, and that silence alone made her stomach churn with dread.

Then, with a calm resolve, Russell said, "Yes. I am."

Trisha's breath hitched.

"I've been watching her for a while now. There's something about her... I don't know what it is, but I want her. And I'll do anything to get a taste of her."

His confession struck her like a slap. But even in her anger, even in the stinging betrayal she felt, a thought began to take root. Slowly, her fingers relaxed around the pillow. Her eyes narrowed slightly as a cold smile crept across her lips.

"Anything?" she asked, her voice sweet but tinged with poison.

Russell looked at her, his gaze determined. "Yes. Anything."

Trisha stood and walked toward the window, arms folded across her chest. The night outside was calm, but her mind was storming with a wicked thought.

"Well then," she whispered more to herself than to him, "maybe we can help each other."

Russell raised a brow. "What do you mean?"

She turned to face him again, her smile widening chilling in its perfection. "If we play this right, we can both get what we want. You'll have your Ana..."

And I'll finally destroy her.

Three days. That was how long Ana had been confined to her room.

After her scuffle with Trisha, Old Madame had wasted no time delivering her punishment. With a cold glare and biting words, she stripped Ana of all privileges and ordered her into confinement. Not a step beyond her door. No walks in the garden. No sitting beneath the almond tree she loved.

Nina had cried on her behalf, but Ana took it quietly. She knew the consequences, even if she believed Trisha deserved what she got.

Three days. That was how long Ana had been confined to her room.

After her scuffle with Trisha, Old Madame had wasted no time delivering her punishment. With a cold glare and biting words, she stripped Ana of all privileges and ordered her into confinement. Not a step beyond her door. No walks in the garden. No sitting beneath the almond tree she loved.

Nina had cried on her behalf, but Ana took it quietly. She knew the consequences, even if she believed Trisha deserved what she got. Still, the isolation weighed on her like chains.

The only sliver of light came in the form of Adonis, who sneaked into her room at night like a shadow. Each time he came, Nina nearly died of fright, but Ana couldn't help the smile that lit her face whenever she saw him.

Tonight, he came again.

"Ana, you're leaving with me tonight," Adonis said firmly, his voice low and urgent. "We'll go back. And you're not allowed to reject it."

His fierce gaze made her heart stutter. For a moment, she was frightened; not of him, but of the weight behind his words. She shook her head.

"I'm not leaving," she said, biting her lip hard. "If I breach the contract, we'll have to pay three times the original amount in compensation. That's fifteen million dollars. Even if I sold my body, we wouldn't be able to come up with that."

She looked away, ashamed. "I'm not leaving until I've fulfilled my part of the contract."

But who was she kidding?

The real reason, the one she couldn't say aloud was her inability to leave him. Harry.

Adonis studied her face carefully, his jaw tightening. "Is that the only reason you don't want to leave?"

She avoided his gaze, nodding. "Yes. That's the only reason."

Staring intently at her face, Adonis asked. "Is this the only reason why you don't want to leave this place?"

He had already heard a bit of rumors regarding her special relationship with Harry. But he didn't want to believe that was true. He wouldn't be able to bear seeing his beloved woman in the arms of another man hence he wants them to leave this dangerous place.

Evading his sharp eyes, Ana nodded, "That's the only reason. I can't leave this place".She lied.

"I'll pay the penalty fee," he said without hesitation. "We're leaving tonight. I'll come back to pick you up."

Ana blinked in surprise before scoffing. "Where will you get that kind of money from? You were the one who always told me I was dreaming of the impossible. And now look at you."

She leaned in closed to him, her breath fanning his face as she stared intensely at him with a smile.

Adonis's heartbeat picked up pace, beating fast at their close proximity. He clenched his fist tightly to hide his feelings while his expression remained unchanged. He was afraid that she'll noticed his heartbeat.

"Big brother, you dream a lot."

Adonis's heart raced wildly in his chest. Her nearness stirred something in him, something he'd buried for years. He clenched his fists tightly to steady himself, his expression blank as stone, though every nerve in his body was on fire.

Then she burst into laughter and pulled away.

He hit her lightly on the forehead with his knuckle.

"Ow! Big brother, you're such a bully!" she pouted, rubbing the sore spot.

He smiled faintly and walked away without another word.

"Miss, I brought your dinner," Nina chirped, walking in with a tray of steaming dishes.

Ana set down her paintbrush and turned toward her with a delighted smile. "Ohh! What do you have for me today? It smells so good."

"All your favorites! I had the kitchen make them just the way you like," Nina said proudly, setting the tray on the table.

"You're the best, Nina. Honestly, I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You praise me too much, Miss," Nina said shyly.

Ana tucked in happily, savoring every bite. Nina watched her with a grin.

"You've been eating so much lately. Your face is getting rounder. And... prettier."

"Really?" Ana touched her cheeks, feeling the softness. "I have gained a little weight, haven't I?"

"It's a good thing," Nina said quickly. "When the heir returns, he'll be very happy to see you healthy and beautiful."

Ana's smile faltered a little, her gaze distant. "It's been over a month. He's probably forgotten about me."

She pouted, but her heart ached with longing. She missed him more than she could ever say.

Meanwhile, in a luxury hotel suite draped in shadow, a terrifying scene unfolded.

A young woman, dressed in tattered red lingerie, cowered at the corner of the bed. Her makeup was smeared, her body bruised and marked with vicious bite wounds.

She whimpered, shaking in fear.

Across from her, Ivan Osman buttoned his shirt, calm and indifferent. His muscular torso still glistened with sweat, his handsome face a mask of cold cruelty.

He walked toward her, kneeling and lifting her chin.

Her eyes widened in terror.

He stared, expression unreadable. "Your face looks like hers... but you're nothing like her."

"She wouldn't be afraid of me."

Then, without warning, he pushed her away like garbage.

Grabbing a handkerchief, he wiped his fingers and adjusted his collar, smoothing back his hair. His demeanor was that of a man going to a business meeting, not someone who had just brutalized a woman.

The girl lay on the floor, trembling, tears streaming silently down her cheeks.

She had heard tales of Ivan Osman, the dark, magnetic heir of a powerful corporation, known for his generosity toward women.

But tonight…

Tonight, she had met a monster.