"Good evening," I say.
But the man doesn't acknowledge me as he sets each dish down gently.
Ewan's going to blindside me tonight.
This is another lockdown.
I run the math through my head quickly, trying to remember when I had my period. How many days since my last cycle? How many times have I refused him?
Shit.
It's not looking good. I'm either approaching ovulation or just finished it.
"Mrs. Calder."
A guard appears at the end of the hall. The broad one from the garden with the blank eyes. "Mr. Calder requests your presence in the main dining hall."
Requests.The irony.
"I'll go freshen up and meet him there in a few minutes."
He takes several steps, blocking the exit. "Not necessary. I'll escort you now."
I wasn't planning on running. There is nowhere for me to go.
There's no door I can reach before a hand closes around my arm. No window wide enough to matter. No world that exists outside the prison he's built for me.
Even if there was, running would only make the punishment worse.
There's nowhere to run or hide.
No one coming to save me.
No version of me strong enough to stop what's waiting behind that door.
And the worst part is…some part of me believes I deserve whatever happens next. That maybe this is the only ending someone like me was ever going to get.
I hold my breath, pausing for a few seconds before opening the dining hall door.
I'm going to delay this for as long as possible.
The guard reaches over and opens it.
Another reminder.
The room has been reorganized. The long table is bare except for two settings in the middle. White plates. Gold cutlery. One lone candle burning.
Ewan stands when I enter. "Keira, thank you for agreeing to have a late dinner with me."
Agreeing?What a joke.
When I step inside, the door clicks shut behind me. I'm officially trapped in a cage with a beast.
"Why did you send Hale away?"
His expression thins. "Why do you sound upset? He's having a wonderful time, I'm sure."
"You didn't tell me he was leaving for the night."
