Sienna blinks away the memories, pulling herself back into the present. It’s been two weeks since Noah King stepped into her world like some kind of savior—a knight in shining armor, or so it seemed at first. But now, she’s not so sure. There’s no such thing as debt-free salvation with men like Noah. He saved her that night, but his presence in her life afterward feels like shackles she can’t escape. And the chains are tightening.
Noah has taken her out to dinner more times than she can count since then. Each time, she waits for the moment he’ll demand something in return. That’s how it works, right? Men like Noah always want something—always feel owed. But strangely, he hasn’t asked for anything. Just dinner. That’s all. He makes sure she’s fed, then either escorts her home himself or sends his driver to drop her off.
It should comfort her, but it doesn’t. The small acts of kindness only deepen her unease. It’s like standing beneath a guillotine, waiting for the blade to drop. She knows a trap is being set, but she keeps walking toward it anyway. Fear drives her, of course. Fear of Noah, of what he’s capable of. But there’s another reason—one she’s not proud of. She likes his company. His presence is intoxicating, and no matter how dangerous he is, she can’t seem to tear herself away.
In the backseat of his sleek car, Noah finally sets aside the iPad he’s been working on and turns to her. His hand reaches out, brushing against her fingers. The touch startles her, and she stiffens.
“You always look like you’re being dragged out against your will,” he says, his voice low and calm, his eyes studying her face. “Relax, Sienna. Enjoy the moment. Smile, even. I’m not holding you hostage.”
She doesn’t reply as the car pulls up to the restaurant. It’s lavish—far beyond anything she could afford. Noah handles the bill like it’s nothing, while Sienna mentally calculates how many of her problems that kind of money could solve.
He opens the car door for her, as he always does. The gesture is gentlemanly, but it feels practiced, part of a routine he’s perfected. She hasn’t figured out his endgame yet. Why all of this? Why her?
His hand rests on the small of her back as they enter the restaurant, guiding her like she belongs in this world. The manager greets Noah with the reverence of a man greeting royalty, but Sienna is invisible, unacknowledged. She feels out of place among the chandeliers, the marble floors, the murmured conversations. To the staff and the other patrons, she’s nothing more than an accessory to the powerful man beside her.
They are led to a secluded garden area, where white wooden tables are scattered beneath an iron dome draped in vines. The flowers bloom in wild abundance, filling the air with their sweet scent. It’s beautiful, like something out of a dream, but Sienna can’t shake the feeling that she’s still trapped in a nightmare. All eyes are on them. On him.
Noah pulls out her chair and waits for her to sit, his hand grazing hers as she lowers herself into the seat. He sits across from her, exuding control and confidence, as if the world bends to his will.
A waiter appears, offering Noah two menus. Expecting him to hand her one, Sienna reaches out, but Noah gives them back without a glance. “A sweet wine for the lady, whiskey for me,” he says smoothly. “And tell Gabriel we’ll have whatever the chef’s prepared.”
Sienna raises an eyebrow. “Sweet wine?”
“You’re with me tonight. Trust me.” He leans forward, his fingers brushing hers again. The touch sends a shiver through her. She doesn’t pull away, though part of her wants to. His control is everywhere—over what she eats, drinks, even what she feels. She can hear Mia’s voice in her head: “Sienna, get out. Run before it’s too late.”
The waiters return with silver platters, their eyes downcast, never meeting Noah’s gaze. It’s as if they’re afraid to look at him. But they don’t look at her either. Sienna feels invisible in more ways than one.
She focuses on the food, savoring each bite while avoiding conversation. The dishes are exquisite, far more decadent than anything she’s had in months. But the silence between her and Noah is suffocating. She stuffs her mouth with food just to avoid speaking.
Then, out of nowhere, Noah breaks the silence. “What are your plans for winter break?”
Sienna hesitates. “I’m thinking of signing up for a sketching trip my college is organizing.”
Noah cuts her off before she can finish. “Come with me to Paris.” His tone is casual, but the words carry the weight of a command. “I have business in Europe, and we could stay there for a while. I know some artists I could introduce you to.”
It’s not a suggestion. It’s a decision. Like she has no say in the matter. The weight of it presses down on her, making the air around her feel heavy. She tries to swallow the bite of food in her mouth, but it’s like lead sliding down her throat.
As the meal winds down, Noah reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a small velvet box. He opens it, revealing a diamond necklace that glitters in the soft light of the garden. Sienna’s breath catches in her throat, but before she can react, Noah stands and moves behind her. She feels the cool weight of the diamonds as he fastens the necklace around her neck.
To the outside world, they must look like the perfect couple—young, beautiful, in love. But Sienna feels trapped. The necklace, though beautiful, feels more like chains tightening around her throat. Noah, with his calm, calculated demeanor, is the predator, and she... she is the prey.
Noah returns to his seat, his eyes never leaving her face. The necklace sparkles, but Sienna can barely meet his gaze. She knows this is all a game to him, a dangerous game with her at the center. And yet, she’s still here, unable to run, unable to break free.
The night presses on, but Sienna’s mind spins with questions. Noah’s control over her life is growing, suffocating her under the weight of his expectations. Yet, a small part of her wonders: what would happen if she lets herself fall deeper into his world? Would she lose herself entirely, or find something she didn’t know she was looking for?
The answer remains elusive, just like the man sitting across from her, watching her with those cold, calculating eyes.
The next day at the nightclub, Sienna is wiping down the bar, trying to lose herself in the rhythm of work, when Mia approaches, her eyes narrowing as she studies Sienna. “Has Noah done anything to you?” she asks in a low voice, ensuring it’s just the two of them who hear. “Did Ethan hurt you or threaten you in any way?” The genuine concern in Mia’s voice tinges with an urgency that makes it clear she won’t let this go until Sienna gives her something.Sienna hesitates, but she can’t avoid it forever. “No, nothing like that,” she replies, shaking her head. “It’s just… weird.”Needing to escape the conversation, Sienna grabs a trash bag and heads for the back door. The alley is cold and empty as she tosses the bag into the dumpster, the sound echoing off the walls. She pauses for a second, pulling out a cigarette—not to smoke, obviously, but as a distraction.Before she can even light it, someone snatches it right out of her fingers. She spins around, startled, and there he is—Osborne
Mia is barely conscious when Osborne guides her through the door of his apartment. She stumbles, leaning heavily on him as they make their way inside. The soft click of the door shutting behind them seems distant, muffled by the haze of alcohol clouding her senses. Her eyes flutter, half-closed, but she still notices the familiar sharpness of his space—the black couch, the spotless countertops.Everything here is always too perfect, too untouched, as if Osborne just passes through his own life without bothering to leave a mark.Osborne kicks off his shoes, half-dragging her to the bedroom. "Come on," he mutters under his breath, not with annoyance, but with that same casual tone he always uses, like none of this really matters. He pushes her onto the bed, and the mattress dips beneath her weight.She lets out a soft sigh, sinking into the cool sheets. His fingers work quickly, tearing open a condom wrapper, the sound slicing through the room like a blade.But then, he pauses.Osborne
All night, Sienna can’t sleep, and this morning starts off rough. Her mind is fixed on one person: Noah King. Even in his absence, he fills up her mind.Sienna’s fingers instinctively wander to the necklace draped elegantly around her neck, the cool metal like an electric shock waking every nerve. The delicate platinum chain holds a stunning diamond solitaire, accompanied by a vibrant peridot – her birthstone – and surrounded by a halo of smaller diamonds that sparkle like whispers.Her mind is a jumble of emotions as she thinks about Noah gifting it to her. She can’t shake off the feeling that there’s more to this gesture than meets the eye. Is it a genuine attempt to connect or a clever manipulation? Sienna’s thoughts swirl, replaying their encounter in vivid detail.As her fingers trace the pendant’s curves, she feels an unsettling sense of vulnerability. This beautiful necklace, meant to adorn her, now feels like an invisible thread binding her to Noah. The peridot, once a symbol
Sienna peels herself off the bed, her limbs heavy with her own emotions. Her body feels like a burden, as if it’s been anchored to the mattress by the sheer force of her sorrow.Her legs tremble beneath her, threatening to collapse under the strain of her exhaustion. Each step feels like a Herculean effort, as if she’s wading through quicksand.As she rises, the room around her seems to spin, a dizzying show of colors and shadows. Sienna’s eyes struggle to focus, her vision clouded by the tears she's desperate to hold back.With a leaden heart, she forces herself forward, driven by a fragile thread of determination. Her feet carry her toward the bathroom.The silence of the apartment is a blessing; Mia’s absence means she can avoid the awkwardness of pretending to be okay. She shuffles to the bathroom, seeking refuge in solitude in the quiet, dark space.As she stands before the small mirror above the sink, her gaze meets her reflection. The exhaustion and anguish all over her face ar
The faint clicks of the laptop’s keyboard fill the silence between them, but it does nothing to ease the tension building in Sienna’s chest. Her hand rises to the necklace resting against her skin, her movements uneasy. She avoids Noah’s eyes, wary of letting her emotions spill over. Taking a deep breath, she prepares to speak, but Noah beats her to it.“I can see you staring at me,” Noah says, clearly growing tired of the looks she keeps stealing.“I want to talk,” she finally manages.Noah’s gaze remains glued to his laptop screen. “What’s on your mind, Sienna?”She hesitates for a moment, her grip tightening around the necklace. “Let’s start with this,” she says, lifting it slightly so it catches the dim light inside the car. “I can’t accept something this valuable. Please, take it back.”Noah’s expression remains neutral, his eyes never leaving the screen. “It’s just a necklace, Sienna. If you don’t like it, throw it away.”Finally, she forces herself to look at him, her frustrati
Sienna doesn’t realize the car is slowing until Noah yanks her out, gripping her wrist tightly. Blinking in surprise, she takes in her surroundings: a sprawling villa stands alone, surrounded by endless land and a chilling silence, broken only by the wind. The villa’s modern lines and grand windows feel cold and isolated.It’s practically impossible to sneak in without getting caught on camera overlooking every corner.“Noah, wait,” she protests as he pulls her forward, stumbling over the gravel. He doesn’t care; his hold tightens as he drags her to the front door—a massive slab of wood with beautiful carvings. When they step inside, the heavy door creaks, and Sienna begins to tremble out of fear.The villa is as lifeless as the land outside. High ceilings and marble floors amplify their footsteps. A single chandelier illuminates the grand foyer. A winding staircase spirals upward, its polished banister gleaming in the gloom. The place feels immaculate, untouched, as if it has been wa
“Noah, please—stop!” she screams again, her voice breaking as she kicks against him. Her knee connects with his side, but it barely fazes him. His fingers dig into her skin as he presses his body closer, his need overpowering any sense of restraint. Tears blinds her vision as she fights, but it’s like pushing against a wall. He’s too strong, too driven by something dark and uncontrollable.Sienna’s breathing grows ragged, her chest rising and falling rapidly as her panic turns into full-blown terror. “Noah, no—stop!” she gasps, struggling harder. She kicks again, this time with more force, her heel connecting with his shin. It’s enough to throw him off balance for a moment, but his hands are back on her in an instant, rough and demanding as they move up her leg again.But then her body betrays her—her breath comes in quick, shallow bursts, her chest heaving uncontrollably. She’s hyperventilating, her vision darkening at the edges. Noah pauses, his hands freezing as he looks down at he
She fetches a small first-aid kit and begins treating the bruises with delicate hands. The silence between them is heavy, but it’s what Sienna needs right now. No words. No explanations. Just the quiet support of someone who’s always been there.Sienna winces as Mia dabs at a particularly dark bruise on her wrist, the spot where Noah had gripped her the hardest. Mia’s hand hesitates, her jaw clenching, but she still doesn’t ask. She doesn’t need to.Sienna leans back against the couch, so tired as her mind finally replayed everything like a broken record. She can barely keep her eyes open, but before she can drift off, her phone buzzes on the coffee table. The sound jolts her, pulling her from the edge of sleep.Mia glances at the phone, then back at Sienna. “Do you want me to get it?” she asks softly.Sienna doesn’t answer, her eyes fixed on the screen, but she doesn’t move. The caller ID flashes Noah King in bold letters. Shaking her head, she turns her face away. She can’t deal wit