I guided her through the spacious hallway, my hand resting casually on the small of her back, feeling her tense beneath my touch. She fought it, but I enjoyed watching the conflict play out on her face—the mixture of defiance and disbelief. The tension between us simmered, an unspoken battle for dominance.
I stopped outside a door and turned to her. “This will be your room… for now.” I opened the door, gesturing for her to step inside.
The bedroom opened up into a serene sanctuary. Soft cream walls enveloped the space, and rich mahogany furniture lent warmth to the otherwise cool atmosphere. A king-sized bed dominated the room, draped in crisp white linens that looked inviting yet deceptively pristine. Plush pillows lined the headboard like sentinels guarding a secret.
A large window framed a view of the city skyline, lights twinkling like stars against a backdrop of velvet darkness. The soft glow spilled into the room, casting gentle shadows that danced along the walls. A small writing desk stood in one corner, equipped with an elegant lamp that promised comfort for late-night thoughts—though I doubted she’d find solace in this place anytime soon.
“Feel free to make yourself at home,” I said, stepping further inside as she lingered in the doorway, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. "Because this is your home."
She barely glanced at it before turning back to me, skepticism etched across her features. “This is just… a prison.”
I chuckled softly; she still hadn’t grasped how tightly fate had wound its threads around us both.
“Get some sleep, little Persephone.” I leaned against the doorframe with casual authority, my gaze unwavering as it met hers. “You’ll need it.”
Chapter 3
Seph
I stood in my new room; the walls painted a sterile white that reflected the harsh overhead lights. The space stretched out, bigger than anywhere I’d ever lived, yet it felt like a prison cell. An expensive prison cell, but a cage nonetheless.
The furniture was sleek and modern, all sharp edges and cold surfaces. A massive bed loomed in the corner, its plush comforter mocking my sense of despair. I turned slowly, taking in the polished wood and the glass accents. Everything sparkled, too clean, too perfect. No warmth lingered here; no traces of life dared to intrude.
I tried to breathe deeply, to ground myself in this new reality. But my lungs tightened as if they’d closed up shop for the night. The air felt thick and suffocating, stifling any thoughts of escape that flitted through my mind. Hades was just outside the door—waiting.
A rush of anger surged through me at the thought of him lurking there like a predator ready to pounce. I gritted my teeth, wishing I could turn back time to before all this madness started. But that was impossible; this was my life now.
I pressed my palms against the cool surface of a dresser, feeling its unyielding strength beneath my fingers. He’s always waiting. The truth settled heavily on me—he would be right outside that door, watching and listening with those calculating eyes that saw right through me.
A soft thud echoed from beyond the door. He waited for me to make a move, to react to his presence like a marionette dancing on strings. My heart raced at the thought of facing him again; his mere existence twisted inside me like barbed wire.
Get yourself together, I told myself, but the words sounded hollow in this empty space. No amount of bravado could drown out the dread pooling in my stomach.
He’d taken everything from me—my freedom, my choices—and now he wanted more than just compliance; he wanted submission.
I fought against it, but each breath felt like a betrayal as I realized just how trapped I truly was.
I locked the door, my heart pounding in my chest. The click of the latch echoed in the silence, a small act of defiance against the looming threat outside. I leaned against the door, waiting, straining to hear anything beyond the smooth wood.
Nothing.
The quiet pressed down on me, thick and heavy. I took a deep breath, steadying myself, before pushing away from the door. The room felt vast and empty, but I wouldn’t let it intimidate me. I needed to reclaim some sense of control.
I moved to the dresser first, tugging open a drawer. My eyes widened as I pulled out neatly folded clothes—silk blouses in soft pastels and tailored skirts that screamed sophistication. They were all in my size, as if someone had known exactly what I would want to wear. I slammed the drawer shut, anger flaring up inside me like wildfire.
I didn’t want any of this.
Next, I turned my attention to the closet. The doors swung open with a soft whoosh, revealing an array of shoes—heels that could cut glass and boots that looked like they meant business. Coats hung neatly alongside dresses that shimmered like promises I never intended to keep.
I stepped back, shaking my head in disbelief. He planned this. Every detail orchestrated with precision—the wardrobe curated for a life I hadn’t chosen but was now forced into.
The realization gnawed at me; this wasn’t just a temporary arrangement. It was a calculated move on Hades’ part—a way to erase any trace of my old life while crafting an entirely new one that revolved around him.
I felt trapped in a meticulously designed cage decorated with frills and fabric, each item waiting for me as if it had always been meant for this moment. My stomach churned at the thought of his satisfaction when he saw how perfectly everything fit into place.
I won’t wear them, I promised myself, each article a symbol of his control over me.
Determined not to succumb to despair just yet, I paced around the room instead, searching for something—anything—that could help me regain my footing in this surreal nightmare.
