Lily POV
"I—I don't know what you mean," I stammered, trying to pull away, but his grip was like iron.
In one fluid motion, Lucas shoved me backward, sending me sprawling onto the bed. The key slipped from my grasp, still attached to the chain around his neck.
"You think I'm stupid?" he snarled, looming over me. "You think I can't tell when you're playing me?"
Fear coursed through me, but I refused to cower. "Lucas, you're misunderstanding—"
"Shut up!" His hand struck my face with such force that stars exploded across my vision. Pain bloomed across my cheek. "I gave you everything! A chance to accept your fate gracefully, to be treated with respect, and this is how you repay me?"
I tasted blood, my lip split from the impact. "Lucas, please—"
He seized my shoulders, shaking me violently. "After everything I've done for you! I could have kept you tied up, could have treated you like the prisoner you are, but no—I showed you kindness, and you throw it back in my face!"
