Chapter 4

Elena lay awake in the massive bed, staring at the ceiling. The sheets were softer than anything she had ever felt, the room silent except for the faint hum of the city outside. But despite the luxury, she felt suffocated.

She was in his house now.

Married to him.

Her father had ruined her life, and Alexander Calloway had taken full advantage.

She clenched her jaw and turned onto her side, glaring at the expensive decor that mocked her. She didn’t belong here, surrounded by wealth that wasn’t hers, trapped in a situation she never agreed to.

She had spent her whole life clawing for independence, only for it to be ripped away in a single night.

Her fingers curled into the sheets. I won’t just accept this.

Her mind raced with ways to escape. The mansion was massive, and she had only seen a fraction of it, but it had to have weaknesses. Exits. Something.

Alexander was powerful, but he wasn’t invincible.

She exhaled sharply and sat up, glancing at the bedside clock. 2:13 AM.

Perfect.

Slowly, she slid out of bed, her bare feet sinking into the plush carpet. The room was dimly lit by the glow of the city through the wide glass windows. She made her way toward the door, easing it open as quietly as possible.

The hallway stretched before her, dark and silent. She held her breath, listening for any movement. Nothing.

She stepped forward, keeping to the wall, her heart pounding. The mansion was eerily quiet, the only sound the faint ticking of a clock somewhere in the distance.

She reached the end of the hall and spotted a grand staircase leading to the main floor. Her pulse quickened. Almost there.

She had just set her foot on the first step when a deep voice cut through the silence.

“Elena.”

She gasped and spun around, her heart leaping to her throat.

Alexander stood in the shadows, leaning against the wall like he had been expecting this. He was barefoot, dressed in nothing but dark sweatpants and a fitted black t-shirt that did nothing to hide the solid muscle beneath.

She swallowed hard, forcing herself to meet his gaze. His eyes were unreadable, but there was something darkly amused in them, as if he had known this would happen.

“You don’t listen, do you?” he mused.

Her pulse hammered, but she lifted her chin. “Let me go.”

A slow, infuriating smirk tugged at his lips. “No.”

She glared at him, fists clenching. “You can’t keep me here forever.”

He pushed off the wall, his movements fluid and controlled as he stepped closer. “You don’t have anywhere to go.”

She took a step back, gripping the railing. “That’s not your decision.”

His eyes flickered with something unreadable. “It is now.”

Elena’s breath caught in her throat. There was something in his tone—something final. He wasn’t just saying it to be cruel. He meant it.

A shiver ran down her spine. This man doesn’t let go of things once they belong to him.

She forced herself to stay calm. “You said this was a contract. A deal. Well, I never signed anything. I never agreed to this.”

Alexander studied her for a moment before tilting his head slightly. “You think that changes anything?”

She swallowed hard. “It should.”

His lips pressed together. “Go back to bed, Elena.”

“No.”

His jaw ticked, and for a moment, she thought he would grab her and drag her back himself. But instead, he exhaled sharply and turned away.

“You want to run?” he said, his voice almost lazy. “Go ahead.”

She froze, narrowing her eyes. “What?”

He gestured toward the door at the end of the hallway. “The front door is unlocked. Walk out if you want.”

Elena hesitated. This had to be a trick.

She turned her gaze toward the door, her heart racing. If he was letting her go, why did it feel like a trap?

Slowly, she took a step forward, her body tense, waiting for him to stop her. But he didn’t move.

Another step. Then another.

She reached the door and placed her hand on the handle, her breath unsteady.

Then she paused.

Why is he letting me leave?

Her instincts screamed at her. She turned slightly, glancing at him over her shoulder. “What’s the catch?”

Alexander’s expression didn’t change. “There’s no catch. You want freedom? Take it.”

Her fingers tightened around the handle. Something about this wasn’t right.

She yanked the door open, expecting an alarm, guards—something.

Instead, she was met with the cold night air.

She hesitated for a split second before stepping outside. The night was quiet, the driveway stretching out in front of her, the gates standing tall in the distance.

Elena’s chest rose and fell with uneven breaths.

This is it.

She took a step forward—

And froze.

Two men stood near the gates, dressed in black suits, watching her.

A sick feeling coiled in her stomach.

She turned back to Alexander, who hadn’t moved.

“That’s why you let me go,” she whispered.

He didn’t respond. He didn’t need to.

Her blood ran cold. I was never going to make it out.

She looked at the guards again, her mind racing. Were they his men? Or someone else’s?

Her breath hitched. “Who are they?”

Alexander finally stepped forward, stopping in the doorway. “The people your father owed money to.”

Her stomach dropped.

“They’ve been watching,” he continued. “Waiting for an opportunity.”

A chill ran down her spine. “Why?”

His gaze darkened. “Because if they can’t get their payment, they’ll settle for you.”

Elena’s breath caught.

Oh my God.

She looked back at the men by the gate, nausea churning in her gut. They weren’t just watching. They were waiting.

Waiting for her to step out of his protection.

Her pulse pounded in her ears as the reality of the situation sank in. She had nowhere to go.

Slowly, she turned back to Alexander, hatred and frustration swirling inside her. “You knew.”

His jaw tightened. “Yes.”

Fury burned through her. He had let her go because he knew she had no escape. He had let her see it for herself.

Elena’s hands trembled at her sides, her body stiff with anger. “You’re a bastard.”

Something flickered in his eyes—something she couldn’t quite name. “Go back inside, Elena.”

She should fight him. Scream. Do something.

But her legs felt weak.

Because no matter how much she hated it—

He was right.

Without another word, she turned and walked back inside.

Alexander shut the door behind her, sealing her fate.