The Golden Cage

Leonard’s words still echoed in Isabella’s ears, his voice dripping with confidence as if he had already claimed her, as if she was just another possession in his luxurious collection.

“Don’t pretend you have a choice, Isabella.”

She stood there, her honey colored eyes burning with anger, while he looked at her with that same arrogant smirk that never failed to provoke her.

She wanted to scream, to prove him wrong, but deep down, she knew one thing, her life had ceased to be her own the moment she stepped into this mansion.

Turning abruptly, she stormed up the stairs, ignoring his voice calling after her.

She entered the room he had given her and slammed the door shut, leaning against it as she tried to steady her breathing.

“I can’t stay here…” she murmured, her heart pounding in her chest.

Her mind worked fast. She didn’t have many options, but surrender was not one of them. She had to find a way out… and soon.

About an hour later, when the mansion had finally settled into silence, she carefully opened her door.

Peeking into the long hallway, she found no one in sight. Slowly, she stepped forward, her bare feet brushing against the cold marble floor as she held her breath.

She knew the way well, the main entrance was downstairs, but the only problem was the guards stationed at every turn.

She had to be smart… and quick.

Slipping between the towering marble pillars, her heart pounded violently with each step.

When she reached the staircase, she cast a quick glance below.

No one. A small, victorious smile played on her lips, and she hurried down.

But just as she reached the door, a cold voice sliced through her illusion of escape.

“Did you really think leaving was an option?”

She froze in place, a shiver crawling down her spine as if trapped in an endless nightmare.

Turning slowly, her eyes locked onto Leonard’s.

He stood at the bottom of the staircase, dressed in a sleek black shirt with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a glass of whiskey in his hand.

But what sent a chill through her wasn’t his appearance, it was the way he looked at her, like a hunter who had cornered his prey after an entertaining chase.

“I told you before, Isabella. You’re under my protection now.”

“Protection?!” she snapped, her steps closing the distance between them unconsciously.

“I am not your prisoner!”

He raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes. Taking a slow sip from his glass, he answered in a dangerously calm voice,

“But that’s exactly what you look like right now.”

Blood boiled in her veins. Her hands clenched into fists as she fought to control her anger, but it was impossible when facing Leonard Blackwood, a man who took pleasure in breaking people’s wills.

“You can’t stop me from leaving.”

He took a slow step forward, his dark eyes gleaming with something unreadable.

“Can’t I?” he whispered, tilting his head slightly as if studying her.

Then, with a sudden motion, he pulled out his phone and called one of his guards.

“Open the main gate… now.”

She stared at him in shock. She hadn’t expected him to give in so easily.

“What…?”

“Go, Isabella.” He gestured toward the door as if offering her freedom.

“Nothing is stopping you now.”

Confusion settled in her chest, but her mind screamed at her to take this chance.

Taking a deep breath, she turned and walked cautiously toward the door.

When she reached it, her fingers wrapped around the handle, but before she could push it open, his voice came from behind her.

“But…”

She froze.

“If you walk out now, don’t ever come back.”

It felt as though the air had been knocked from her lungs.

“If you cross that threshold, I won’t stop you. I won’t come looking for you, and you’ll have no place here ever again.”

His voice was calm, but there was an unspoken warning woven into his words, one she couldn’t ignore.

“But, if you stay…”

He stepped closer, his breath warm against her neck.

“You won’t be just anyone in my life, Isabella. You’ll become a part of me.”

She shivered, not just from fear, but from something else, something she couldn’t name.

Her mind told her to leave, to end this before she became entangled any further. But her heart…

She didn’t move.

And after a long, charged silence, she heard him chuckle softly.

“Just as I thought.”

Then, he turned away, walking back inside as if the entire thing had been nothing more than a game to him.

…

The next day, Isabella sat on the outdoor terrace of the mansion, sipping coffee as she tried to process everything that had happened the night before.

Before she could dive too deep into her thoughts, the door behind her opened, and Leonard stepped in, dressed in an elegant suit that made him look like a Greek god stepping out of a painting.

“Get ready. We have a party tonight.”

She blinked in disbelief.

“A party?”

“Yes.” He sat across from her, crossing one leg over the other as he took a sip of his coffee.

“And I want you to come with me.”

She frowned.

“Why would I go with you?”

He smirked coldly.

“Because you belong to me now.”

Anger flared up in her chest.

“I am not something you own, Leonard!”

His chuckle was low, dark.

Setting his cup down, he leaned forward slightly.

“You may not be a thing… but you are mine, Isabella. Whether you like it or not.”

Her heart pounded, but she wasn’t sure if it was from anger or the way he was looking at her.

Before she could come up with a response, he stood and said coolly,

“Wear something that suits you. The party starts at eight.”

And with that, he left her there, drowning in her thoughts, wondering what kind of hell she had just stepped into.

…