Chapter 6

After pondering for a while, Damian entered the room. After he opened the door, he closed it slowly and then walked over to the bed where Yara was still sitting with a hateful gaze.

"That's enough," Damian said as he grabbed a small key from his pocket. Quickly, he untied Yara's wrists and legs. "I won't tie you up again."

Yara rubbed her reddened wrists, glaring at Damian. "You fool! How can I eat when you tie me up like that?" Yara's voice was full of anger, despite her trembling body.

Damian let out a long breath. "I know. Sorry, I forgot to open the cuffs." He picked up the soup bowl from the small table and sat beside Yara. "Now eat up. You don't have to endure this just to fight me."

Yara shook her head slowly, refusing. "I don't want to eat."

Damian brought the spoon to her lips. "Yara, stop this drama. You won't win if you continue like this. Just eat."

After a while, Yara finally opened her mouth reluctantly, letting Damian feed her. Her gaze was still full of anger, but her body was already too weak to resist. Damian watched her every move, occasionally sighing.

He couldn't help but look at Yara's face. There, he saw something that choked him up: an image he once knew very well—the face of someone he had hated for a long time. However, she quickly covered the feeling with a faint smile.

Yara noticed the change in Damian's expression. "Why are you looking at me like that? Are you calculating how many other ways to torture me?"

Damian smiled a little, but there was tension behind it. "No, I'm not. I just thought you reminded me of someone."

Yara snorted sarcastically. "Someone you also hurt? Or someone whose fate is worse than mine?"

Damian put away the spoon and placed the soup bowl on the table. "Yara, I'm not here to discuss my past. I just want to make sure you eat and stay alive."

Yara brought her body a little closer, looking at Damian with narrowed eyes. "Is that also the reason you tricked me? Bringing me here just to get what you want? Because I'm a virgin, right?" 

The question made Damian pause. However, he quickly calmed his mind. There was no way he could tell her the real reason—that all of this was part of a vendetta he'd been plotting for years. 

Damian tilted his head, looking at Yara with a soft gaze that seemed sincere. "No, Yara. It's not about that. I do need you, but not just for that reason. I brought you here because I know you're desperate. I want to save your mother." 

Yara was stunned, but only for a moment. "Save my mom? Is this some kind of power play? You think that by calling yourself a savior, I'll suddenly feel indebted?" 

Damian gave a small nod. "You don't need to thank me, Yara. I just want you to know that I have a reason for all of this. And even though you hate me, I'll still make sure you get what you need."

Yara shook her head, her eyes starting to water. "You're disgusting. You talk as if you care, but all you do is make me sicker and sicker."

Damian stood up, taking the tray from the table. "Maybe you don't believe it now, but one day you will understand. I'll prove it, Yara."

Before exiting the room, Damian turned around again. "Get some rest. Don't think too much about unnecessary things."

Yara didn't answer; she just gave Damian a hateful look as he walked out. When the door closed, Yara clenched her fists. "I will never trust you, Damian. No matter what you say."

***

At seven in the morning, Damian opened the door to Yara's room. However, his face instantly turned tense. The bed was empty. The covers were neatly folded, and there was no sign of Yara in the room.

Damian's anger instantly exploded. He kicked a chair in the corner of the room, knocking it over with a loud bang. "What the hell?!" he roared. "Where is that little girl?!"

Quickly, Damian pressed the intercom button by the door. "Hugo, get in here right now!" His voice was full of anger.

Within seconds, Hugo appeared in the doorway, a worried look on his face. "What is it, Mr. Damian?"

"Yara! That girl isn't in her room! How did this happen?!" Damian snapped, his eyes blazing with anger.

Hugo frowned, clearly confused. "I don't know, Mr. Damian. Guards are supposed to keep watch around these rooms."

"Guards?! What kind of guard would let a little girl escape from a mansion this big?" Damian growled as he grabbed Hugo's collar. "Find her right now! If you don't, I'll make sure all of your heads are on a tray!"

Hugo looked down tensely. "I'll check all areas, sir. Maybe he hasn't gone far."

Damian released his grip roughly. "Hurry up and find him! And bring the guards here. I want to know how this happened."

A few minutes later, two guards arrived with frightened faces. One of them tried to speak, but Damian's voice cut in first. "How could you guys let your guard down?! Did I pay you to stand like statues, huh?!"

"We... we're sorry, Mr. Damian," one of the guards replied in a shaky voice. "Maybe he went out through the window. We'll check right away."

"It's too late for stupid explanations!" Damian snapped. "You have one hour to find her. If not, I'll take care of you myself."

The guards stormed out in a panic, while Damian clenched his fists. His normally cold face was now filled with anger and frustration.

"Yara," he muttered in a low voice. "You think you can run away from me? There's no place in this world where you can hide."