Chapter four

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Aveline hadn't slept a wink last night.

Her body felt heavy as she dragged herself out of bed and trudged to the mirror. She stared at her reflection, barely recognizing the girl looking back. The shadows under her eyes had deepened, and her face looked pale, weary, and worn.

She used to take care of herself even when she slept beneath bridges or in crumbling, abandoned buildings. But ever since she arrived here, something had shifted. It was like the life had been drained out of her.

Her gaze fell on the black collar sitting on the dresser. Her breath caught.

Slowly, hesitantly, she reached for it. Her fingers brushed the cool leather, and she lifted it into her hands. A silver ring gleamed in the center. As she brought it closer, she noticed something engraved in tiny letters, her name.

Aveline

A chill ran down her spine.

She dropped the collar like it burned her, her heart thudding violently in her chest.

Dominic knew exactly what he was doing. But she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her submit. That collar would never rest around her neck.

She turned toward the far wall toward the door that had creaked open last night.

Fear twisted in her gut. She hadn't even realized that door existed until then.

Her feet moved on their own, slow and trembling, as she crept toward it. Her palm hovered just inches from the knob when.....

Knock. Knock.

She froze.

Without thinking, she darted back to the bed .

The door opened quietly.

The young girl whose name was Eve stepped in.

"You are required to wear this and report to Master Dominic's study," she said, offering something folded in her arms.

She placed it on the bed and left without another word.

Aveline blinked. Then looked down.

It was red. Blood red.

It was lingerie.

Lacy. Thin. Blood-red. A matching bra, barely thick enough to cover anything, and a pair of heels the same shade of crimson.

Her breath caught in her throat.

"He must be joking," she muttered. "There's no way I'm wearing that. He can't be serious."

She tossed the outfit onto the bed in disgust, backing away like it might bite her.

But then she sat. Stared at it.

Her fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her skin.

She knew better now. After what happened last time…

She couldn't risk disobeying him again.

Swallowing her pride, her shame, and whatever ounce of dignity she had left, Aveline picked up the outfit and stepped into the bathroom.

Minutes later, she emerged wearing the humiliating ensemble, red heels clicking softly against the cold floor.

---

Aveline stood frozen in front of the door, wearing the humiliating outfit Dominic had ordered her to put on. The red lingerie clung to her skin, exposing more than she could bear.

Her heart pounded as her hand hovered over the doorknob.

She bit her lip, hard, and slowly let her hand fall to her side. She couldn't do it. The thought of walking out dressed like this paraded like some object was too overwhelming. The shame burned hotter than any punishment Dominic had ever given her.

She turned away from the door and sank onto the edge of the bed, wrapping her arms around herself.

Dominic might come if she delayed any longer.

But maybe that was better.

She could survive a night in the basement.

That was easier than stepping out of this room like this.

Time passed slowly. Her heart beat louder with every second that ticked by. He still hadn't come, and somehow, that made her even more anxious.

Was he caught up with something? Was he purposely waiting to see if she would disobey him again?

The silence pressed in around her, the air suffocating.

Then the door creaked open.

Aveline jumped to her feet.

Dominic entered with fury etched into every line of his face. The air around him seemed to thicken with rage.

Aveline's eyes widened. Her lips parted, but no words came out. Her body trembled.she wrapped her arms around herself,Covering her exposed body in shame.

His eyes traveled down her body slowly, before settling coldly on her face.

"Weren't you told to come to my study?" he asked, his voice cold and sharp.

"I... I couldn't," she replied, her voice weak and trembling.

Dominic moved toward her with heavy steps until he stood inches from her. His expression was unreadable, but the anger in his eyes made her stomach twist.

"Since when do you get to decide anything in this house?" he snapped. "You live under my roof. You follow my rules."

Her voice cracked. "How do you expect me to walk out of this room... wearing this?"

Before she could finish, his hand shot up and grabbed her jaw. His grip was harsh, his face inches from hers.

"Don't forget your place, Torres," he growled. "You do as you're told. No matter how humiliating it feels."

His gaze drifted past her and landed on the collar on the dresser.

Letting go of her face, he walked over and picked it up with casual cruelty.

"I assume you've seen my little gift," he said, turning it over in his hands.

Aveline's eyes widened in fear as he approached again. She instinctively stepped back.

"I... I don't want that thing on me," she whispered.

Dominic stopped in front of her, slowly unbuckling the collar as his eyes locked onto hers.

"I already told you," he said coldly. "You don't get to have a choice."

He pressed the cold leather against her throat.

Aveline shut her eyes tight, trying to hold herself together as the collar wrapped around her neck. Her dignity crumbled with each second that passed.

He fastened the buckle and smirked.

"It looks good on you," he said cruelly. "You look like a whore dressed like that."

The words cut deeper than any slap.

Aveline clenched her jaw, swallowing the sob rising in her throat.

Dominic grabbed her arm roughly and began dragging her toward the door.

Her eyes widened. Panic surged.

"Please... I can't walk out like this," she begged, her voice breaking.

But he ignored her.

He didn't even care.

She stumbled beside him, trying to keep up, her face burning with humiliation as they passed staff in the hallway maids, bodyguards, everyone watching her.

She kept her head down, shame flooding every inch of her body. She wanted the floor to open up and swallow her whole.

They reached the study.

Dominic opened the door and shoved her inside.

She stumbled forward but caught herself, barely.

A calm, unfamiliar voice met her ears.

"Ahh. So she's the one who kept me waiting."

Aveline's head snapped up.

There was a man sitting on the couch, mid-twenties, brown hair neatly styled, dressed in a sharp suit. His eyes flicked over her body with interest, like she was merchandise on display.

Her knees nearly buckled.

She struggled to remain standing, her hands curling into tight fists at her sides. Her head dropped again, too ashamed to meet the stranger's gaze.

Dominic had humiliated her again.

He'd dragged her here, dressed like this, and paraded her in front of someone she didn't even know.

Tears stung her eyes, but she didn't let them fall.

If I'd known it would come to this, she thought bitterly, I would've never stepped into his car that day.

But a cruel truth lingered behind that thought.....

Would Dominic have even give her a choice....