I tried the window latch, but it didn't budge. I examined it closer and realized it wasn't just locked. It was sealed. These windows weren't meant to open. Ever.
A gilded prison. That's what this room was. Beautiful, luxurious, and utterly inescapable.
I went over to try the second door and found a bathroom that made me stop in my tracks.
It was almost obscene in its lavishness. Marble everywhere, an enormous soaking tub sitting beneath another crystal chandelier, and a separate glass-enclosed shower that could easily fit four people. Double sinks with gold fixtures. Heated towel racks. A vanity area with a lit mirror surrounded by beauty products.
I tried the third door next. It opened into a sitting room that looked more like a miniature library. One wall was dominatedby a massive television, its glossy black surface reflecting the morning light, while the other walls were lined with built-in shelves packed with books. A soft leather sofa sat facing the TV, a glass coffee table positioned neatly in front of it.
I stepped out and tried the fourth door, revealing a walk-in closet that was almost as large as the bedroom itself.
My jaw dropped at the sight of it.
Racks of clothing lined both walls. Dresses, blouses, coats, pants, skirts, all in my size. I checked a tag at random.Designer.There were also shoes organized on built-in shelving, everything from sneakers to heels, and drawers that I opened to find lingerie, loungewear, workout clothes, and jewelry displayed in velvet-lined cases.
Everything was perfectly organized, in my size, and clearly chosen with care.
I backed out, my breath coming faster. This was too much. Too elaborate. Too... permanent.
I moved back to the windows in the main room, examining every inch for any weak points, but I quickly realized the glass was probably reinforced. Also, even if I broke one—and with what?—I was several stories up. The drop would either kill me or leave me with permanent injuries.
Think, Violet, think,I told myself as I sank onto the end of the bed, mind brimming with frustration. There had to be a way out of this place. Justhadto be.
But my mind kept circling back to the same realization: Julian had planned all of this meticulously. The clothes in my exact size. The expensive toiletries in the bathroom. The room filled with books. This wasn't some hastily prepared cell. This was a room that had been waiting for me for god knows how long.
So he’d obviously known for a long time that he would catch me and bring me here… and that meant he’d probably thought of everything to prevent my escape.
As I sat there contemplating that dark thought, I heard a quiet click from the main door. The lock disengaging. I jumped to my feet instantly, my heart racing.
The door opened, and Julian stepped inside carrying a tray of food.
He looked infuriatingly well-rested, dressed casually in dark jeans and a charcoal sweater. His hair was slightly damp, like he'd recently showered. He took in my defensive posture, and something that might have been amusement flickered across his face.
“Good morning,” he said calmly, setting the tray down on a small table near the settee. “I brought you some breakfast.”
“What the hell is this?” I asked, gesturing around the lavish space.
He blinked. “It’s for you, Violet. I thought that was obvious.”
“Butwhy?” I demanded. “Why any of this? The clothes, the room… do you think this somehow makes the fact that you’ve kidnapped me more acceptable?”
He tilted his head, studying me like I was overreacting to something perfectly reasonable. Then he nodded toward the tray. “You need to eat before you do anything else,” he said. “Have some water, too. It’s not healthy to go so long without anything in your system.”
I let out a sharp, disbelieving laugh. “You hunted me down like an animal and locked me in a gigantic cage, and now you’re acting like you care about my health and wellbeing?”
“Violet—”
“Don’t.” My voice broke on the word. “Don’t say my name like we’re… like this isnormal.” My throat felt tight, and tearswere stinging my eyes. “You had no right to touch me. To bring me here. Tokeepme here.”
He didn’t move. Didn’t reply. Just watched me with that infuriating calm that made me want to scream.
“Tell me why you brought me here, Julian!” I went on. “Tell meright fucking now!”
He still didn’t move or respond in any way. Just stared.
Something inside me suddenly snapped. I grabbed the nearest thing within reach—a glass from the tray—and hurled it at him. It shattered against the wall inches from his shoulder, water splattering across his sweater and the floor.
He didn’t even blink. “Feel better now?” he asked.
