Dinner that night was different. Alexander barely glanced at his wife, who sat trying to make light conversation. Each time Victoria’s voice broke the silence, Isabel’s cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink, clearly basking in the attention Alexander gave her. He watched her, his gaze unwavering, and the way he looked at her sent a wave of jealousy straight through Lila. Victoria noticed too, her attempts to pull Alexander’s attention becoming more desperate, until finally, she gave up, a dejected look falling across her face. Alexander finished his meal, pushed his chair back, and left the table without so much as a glance at his wife. Lila could hardly look. She had spent all day trying to avoid Isabel after the scene with the gown, hoping the tension would pass. But now, everything seemed worse. Back in her room, she absentmindedly held onto the necklace Alexander had gifted her, her fingers tracing the delicate chain. He had given her this. He had shown her, in his own way, that
Lila barely had a chance to breathe when Alexander closed the door behind him, his gaze dark and unreadable as he strode across the room. The way he looked at her sent chills down her spine, a mix of anger and something else she couldn’t quite name. “Strip,” he commanded, his voice cold, almost clinical. She blinked, trying to find her voice. “I… I’m sorry, I don’t know what got into me—” “Did you hear me?” he interrupted, not an ounce of patience in his tone. “I said, strip.” She hesitated, hands trembling as she reached for the edge of her dress. She felt exposed and humiliated, but his eyes held no sympathy, no softness. Only frustration and desire. When she was standing there in nothing but bare skin, he moved closer, his eyes raking over her with an intensity that burned. He said nothing, just circled her slowly, as though appraising his possession. Then, suddenly, he swept his arm across the vanity table, sending everything crashing to the floor. Perfume bottles shatter
Lila’s eyes opened slowly, the early morning light just barely filtering through the curtains. The pain was sharp and unyielding; every inch of her body felt sore, her skin stinging where the belt had struck her over and over the night before. She shifted, but each movement reminded her of the bruises on her behind, the lingering punishment from Alexander. Even as she winced, his presence consumed her thoughts. She forced herself up, sliding off the bed carefully, struggling against the ache in her body as she dressed. It took effort to pull herself together, to even brush her hair, but she tried to ignore it, focusing instead on the clock. Mrs. Harrington would be waiting soon, and she couldn’t risk showing up late—she didn’t need the added scorn. But as she stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down her dress, her mind went back to him. He was everywhere, filling every part of her senses, dominating her with a force she could hardly understand. And then, as if her thoughts had
With Alexander, pleasure always came before the pain. Lila tugged at the knot binding her wrists, feeling the rough fabric scrape her skin. She’d struggled against it for what felt like ages, her arms aching, but Alexander had tied it mercilessly tight before he left, leaving her splayed out, helpless. Her fingers finally caught hold of a loose loop, and after a few agonizing tugs, she was able to work herself free. Rubbing her wrists, she hissed as she glanced down at the raw, red marks and the bruises already forming along her skin. The tie had burned the flesh there, and the sting intensified with every movement. For a moment, she considered staying in bed, claiming sickness, avoiding what was sure to be another long, gruelling day. But she forced herself to stand, feeling her legs shaky beneath her, still caught in the haze of everything he’d put her through. Pulling herself together, she quickly dressed, willing her mind to shift back to the present. You can’t be late, she
Lila was just starting to process what she’d overheard when she felt a sharp tug on her arm. She spun around, eyes widening as she faced Isabel, who had a smug, triumphant look plastered on her face. “Eavesdropping on the Madame, are we?” Isabel sneered, her voice dripping with satisfaction. Lila scoffed, pulling her arm free. “I wasn’t eavesdropping. You’re imagining things.” “Oh, don’t play innocent. I saw you. You think I’m blind?” Isabel’s eyes narrowed, glancing over Lila with a look of disdain. “And, by the way, I know Alexander was in your room this morning. What’s going on between you two?” Lila’s expression stayed steady, though her heart thudded at the accusation. “I could ask you the same, Isabel. Seems like you’re a bit too obsessed with his every move.” Isabel took a step closer, her face now inches from Lila’s. “You better stay away from him. He’s mine.” She looked her up and down, her eyes landing on the bruises on Lila’s wrist. Lila folded her hands behind her
Lila’s stomach churned as she sat in the small, cramped room they’d been moved to. She looked around, feeling more like a prisoner than a maid. The bed was small and the walls felt like they were closing in on her. After the way things had blown up with Isabel earlier, she wasn’t sure if she’d get any peace tonight—or if Alexander would be showing up to deal with them himself. A maid had brought dinner with a quick, annoyed look, saying Mrs. Harrington was so upset with them for embarrassing her in front of her friend today. As if that lady wasn’t already humiliating herself, stuffing her face like she hadn’t eaten for days! Lila fumed, stabbing her fork into the food. All this was because of Isabel and her big mouth. She hadn’t spoken to her since, but had noticed her shadow pacing outside a little while ago. And now, suddenly, it was quiet. Lila’s thoughts shifted to Alexander. She wondered if he’d been told about the fight yet. Did he think she was a troublemaker? She felt a sh
Lila felt her mouth go dry as she heard Alexander’s command. She could hear Isabel’s heavy breathing before he spoke, but now she believed she had froze at his words. “ Don’t make me repeat myself.” He said calmly, but Lila knew he was anything but calm. Isabel hadn’t moved. What was she supposed to do? She didn’t like the girl, she found her irritating, and yet, something about the idea of them touching each other made her feel in a manner she never thought possible. She was thinking about it. Her fingers twitching as she gently lifted her fingers in the air to find her skin. A gasp escaped her lips when she felt a soft hand graze her nipple. The feeling was sensational. Lila’s hands found Isabel’s breast and she gently placed her hands on them, she felt Goosebumps rise on the skin as she squeezed gently. Isabel let out a breathy moan and this encouraged Lila. She lifted her other hand to the other breast and squeezed harder. She felt Isabel arch her back as she gasped. Des
The morning sun streamed through the thin curtains of Mrs. Harrington’s room as Lila brushed her hair, trying her best to keep her expression neutral. But her mind was a storm of anger. Last night was burned into her memory—the way Alexander’s cold blue eyes had fixated on her as he ravished Isabel, the smug look on Isabel’s face as she soaked in the pleasure he gave her. He wanted Lila to watch, wanted her to feel every ounce of jealousy and shame. And it worked. She tugged a bit too hard at a knot in Mrs. Harrington’s hair, her grip tightening unconsciously. “Careful!” Mrs. Harrington hissed, wincing as she jerked her head away. Lila blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. “Apologies, my lady,” she replied, her voice flat, not bothering to feign the usual fear or submission. She was far too upset for that. Mrs. Harrington narrowed her eyes at Lila in the mirror. “And where is that girl, Isabel?” she asked, a hint of irritation seeping into her voice. It was unlike Isabel to be
Alexander strolled leisurely along the grand pathway leading to his mansion. Today, he hadn’t taken a car—he felt no need. There were days when normalcy was a welcome change in his otherwise complicated life. The crisp morning air, the rustle of leaves, and the crunch of gravel under his feet were oddly soothing, but his mind was far from calm. Lila. Her name lingered in his thoughts, bringing with it a whirlwind of emotions. He wanted to see her. No, he needed to see her. She was like an addiction he couldn’t shake. But unlike most addictions, where the substance controls the user, he felt in complete command. Command of her emotions, her body, her very essence. A virgin. That revelation had taken him by surprise. Lila’s aura—timid yet undeniably sensual—had misled him into thinking she’d been with someone before. Her innocence had only fueled his desire, and knowing he had been her first filled him with a smug satisfaction. He found himself smiling at the memory, a warmth spre
Lila stood at the door, her stomach twisting with shock as Victoria and Rose continued their lively conversation.“I found him on the balcony late in the night,” Mrs. Harrington was saying, fanning herself with a hand as a wide smile lit up her face. “He was so uneasy and desperate to have me. He could barely control himself.” Her cheeks flushed a deep red as though the memory was unfolding before her again.“And none of the servants caught you?” Rose asked with wide eyes, her tone a mix of horror and excitement.“I don’t think so,” Victoria replied, though her voice wavered. “But they’ve been avoiding eye contact with me more than usual. And some of the young girls blush whenever I speak to them.”Rose squealed, clapping her hands together. “Then they definitely saw you two!”Victoria waved her hand as if brushing off the idea, though her expression betrayed her mortification. “Whatever. It’s my house. I can do what I want.”Despite her dismissive words, Lila could see the unease in
The events of last night replayed vividly in Alexander's mind. “Darling, what are you doing?” His wife took in the sight before her, confusion and shock flickering across her features. Alexander stood bare on the balcony, his sweat-slicked skin gleaming under the moonlight. His broad chest heaved with each heavy breath, his discarded clothes lying carelessly at his feet. The air was heavy with a familiar musk, the unmistakable scent of desire lingering between them. Her robe swirled around her ankles as she rushed to his side, pulling it off to drape around his shoulders in an attempt to shield him from prying eyes—or perhaps from her growing questions. "Alex, what’s going on?" Her voice wavered, searching his eyes for answers. Alexander dropped his gaze, shame coloring his expression. He avoided her probing stare until her fingers gently tilted his chin up, forcing him to meet her. He sighed deeply, the words spilling reluctantly from his lips. “I didn’t want to wake you… but I
The morning sun streamed through the tall windows, casting a warm glow over the sprawling Harrington estate. Inside, the maids scurried around, replacing every flower arrangement in the house with brighter, fresher ones, just as Mrs. Harrington had instructed. Lila stood off to the side, arms crossed and posture stiff, overseeing their work with hawk-like precision. She wasn’t friends with any of these women—didn’t want to be. To her, they were fossils stuck in a life she couldn’t comprehend or care to understand. Her legs began to ache after standing for so long. Sighing, she lowered herself onto the grass, grateful for the reprieve. Of course, her legs hurt. After last night, how could they not? She was sore from the passionate night. The thought made her cheeks flush bright red. She couldn’t stop the images flooding her mind: Alexander’s hands and lips on hers, his body pressing against hers, the sheer intensity of his touch. The memory made her shiver in the morning heat. “She
Lila nearly lost it when Alexander slipped his hand into her bra. He had slipped off her robe and was now fondling with her left breast. The warmth of his hand against her hard nipple sent goosebumps rising all over her skin. She threw her head back in ecstasy as he squeezed the mound gently. Alexander loved watching how sensitive she was to his touch. She was always so ready to receive him and today she will. He reached around her with his free hand and unclasped the hook of her bra in one motion, Lila slightly came out of her trance to marvel at the action. The lace material covering her chest fell to the floor and before she could react, Alexander's warm mouth covered her erect nipple and suckled greedily. He lifted her up by her thighs, carried her and placed her on the balcony railing. She felt fear for a second before it evaporated and was replaced with desire.She drew in a deep breath as the intense pleasure had stolen the air from her lungs. She opened her legs wider, m
Lila stood on the living room balcony, her fingers gripping the silk robe tightly around her body. The cool night air whipped against her skin, making the material swirl around her like a wave. She could feel the weight of her thoughts pressing against her chest, but it was the unease, the fear that gnawed at her the most. She had been feeling it for days now. The confidence she had built up when Isabel was here had vanished into thin air, leaving only the remnants of dread. She couldn’t stop thinking about what would happen when Alexander came for her tonight. The last punishment still haunted her—her wounds, still fresh and painful, reminded her every moment of how far he could go. The possessiveness that clung to him had become like a shadow, following her everywhere. It wasn’t just his eyes, the way they pierced through her like a blade; it was everything about him that made her feel small, controlled. But it wasn’t her fault. She never asked for Reagan to approach her like tha
The morning light seeped into the servant’s quarters, pulling Lila from a restless sleep. Her thoughts were tangled in Alexander’s voice from the day before, his confession of love haunting her. Yet her bruises ached as much as her heart, serving as reminders of the complex, dangerous man who claimed to love her. She tiptoed through the hallways, ensuring she wouldn't cross paths with him. She longed to be near him but was terrified of the intensity he brought with him. She couldn’t risk another interaction like yesterday—not yet. By late morning, she found herself accompanying Mrs. Harrington to a high-end dress shop in the city. Lila had never been in a place so grand. The walls shimmered with gold accents, and the chandeliers sparkled like diamonds. Every dress looked like it could buy her freedom ten times over. She kept her hands clasped tightly, determined not to touch anything unless explicitly told to. Mrs. Harrington, meanwhile, settled into a plush chair alongside her fr
The morning light crept into the room, dragging with it a dull ache that woke Lila before she was ready. She lay on the bed, her body heavy with pain. Her skin burned where Alexander’s belt had landed, and her throat ached from where his hand had been. "I love you." The words rang louder than the pain, filling every space in her head. She blinked away tears and sat up, wincing as the motion sent a sting down her back. But there was no time to feel sorry for herself. Mrs. Harrington would need her, and Lila couldn’t afford to give her a reason to yell. Lila’s movements were slow as she worked in the dining room. Every time she bent or reached, the bruises made her flinch. Her hands shook slightly as she poured tea into a cup. “What is wrong with you this morning?” Mrs. Harrington’s voice snapped across the room. “You’re slower than a sick dog.” “I’m sorry, ma’am,” Lila muttered, focusing on steadying the cup. “Sorry doesn’t get the job done, does it?” Mrs. Harrington’s sharp e
Lila’s heart pounded in her chest as the door to her room clicked shut. She kept her eyes away from the intruder, forcing herself to steady her breathing. She’d known this was coming. The moment she’d kissed Mr. Paul, her fate had been sealed. She’d flirted with him all night, testing Alexander’s patience, and now the price had come due. But she wouldn’t show fear. That was the one thing she had left—her defiance. The tension in the room was suffocating, the silence stretching far too long. Finally, she turned to him, her feet hesitant but firm as they carried her to the figure standing in the shadows. “Alex, I—” she began nervously, her voice trembling. “Sir,” his deep voice cut her off, sharp and cold as steel. She blinked, caught off guard by the correction. “S-Sir,” she stammered, her words faltering under the weight of his gaze. “I don’t know what came over me tonight,” she added weakly. “Why is it,” he began, his tone low but filled with fury, “that you continue to te