Lucian's polished shoes stepped forward, and Elena instinctively retreated. The air around him was suffocating, pressing down on her lungs until she could barely breathe.
Then came the sharp, disdainful sound—a laugh, clipped and cruel.
"So scared of me, are you?"
How could she not be?
His face was terrifying even when he was calm, but when his anger surfaced, it became unbearable. Elena stumbled back another step. "Lucian, I—"
"Afraid, yet you keep provoking me?" His voice snapped like a whip. "You've got guts, Elena. Running to me over and over, even breaking into my apartment?"
"Lucian, I…"
Her hand brushed the edge of the dining table. Out of the corner of her eye she caught the dishes she'd prepared. Grasping at straws, she seized a plate and held it out with both hands like an offering.
"You haven't eaten yet, have you? I made this—for you. Try it?"
For a fleeting moment, Lucian paused. Elena forced a smile, her tone soft, coaxing. "Just a bite. Please?"
His dark gaze locked on her, black as midnight, his anger simmering. "A housemaid—that's all you are. And you're really leaning into the role, aren't you?"
Her smile wavered, but she clung to it, eyes glistening. "Only a little taste. That's all I ask."
"Elena!" His roar shattered the air, his teeth gritted so hard the sound vibrated through her bones.
Her hands shook, the plate trembling in her grasp. "Don't be angry, I—"
Too late. His hand clamped onto her wrist and yanked hard. She staggered, nearly falling. The plate slipped from her grip and smashed against the floor.
Crash. Shards scattered everywhere, oil splattering onto his trousers, but it was Elena's heart that shattered most violently—splintering, bleeding.
Her chest heaved. She looked up at him, eyes burning with defiance through the pain. "Lucian, can't we just—sit down and eat like we used to?"
Like we used to…
His laugh was a blade. He released her wrist only to seize the tablecloth and rip it free. Plates, glasses, the vase, the candles—everything toppled in a cacophony of destruction.
"Eat like we used to?" His sneer was pure venom. "Elena, the things you make—I wouldn't feed them to a dog. They're filthy."
Her lips pressed tight, her hands balled into fists. She swallowed the tears clawing at her throat, the salt burning her wounds raw.
He turned to leave. Panic shot through her, and she lunged forward, clutching his hand. "Lucian!"
"I know you hate me. I know I shouldn't have come. But I have nowhere else to go. Please, just this once… can't you help me?"
At the mention of the past, his face twisted, and suddenly she was hauled back, dragged down the hall with crushing force. He threw her onto the bed, tearing his tie loose with one swift motion.
The mattress dipped under his weight, his body pressing down. Elena's injuries screamed in agony, but she didn't resist. She didn't dare. Instead, she forced herself to wrap her arms around him.
For Sean. Always for Sean.
But then his grip pinned her wrists above her head. His weight lifted. Elena blinked up at him, confused.
Lucian's eyes burned—not with desire, but with contempt. His lips curved into a cruel smirk. "Is this what you wanted? To be in my bed?"
Her breath hitched.
"Too bad," he whispered, his voice dripping poison. "The thought of touching you makes me sick."
The words cut deeper than any blade. Pain flared, sharp and relentless, until she couldn't hold it in anymore. "Lucian, what do you want from me?" she cried, her voice breaking. "I'll do anything—endure anything—just save Sean! Please, tell me what you want!"
His hand seized her face, squeezing hard enough to bruise. His eyes glittered with mockery. "Anything?"
He laughed. Cold. Merciless. "Fine. You said it yourself. If you're so desperate, then entertain me. Seduce me."
The words dropped like ice water, humiliation burning her cheeks. She stared at him like he was a devil.
But he only leaned back, arms folded, waiting. "What's wrong? Weren't you just swearing you'd do anything? Or have you already given up on saving your brother?"
Sean. Her weakness. Her chain.
Sophia knew it. Lucian knew it. And Elena had no choice but to surrender. Her lips trembled. "…I'll do it. I'll do whatever you want."
She closed her eyes against the shame, obeying his cruel demand. Tears threatened, but she forced them back. She couldn't break. Not now. Not while Sean lay in a hospital bed, waiting for her.
Minutes dragged like hours, until a mocking chuckle sliced through the silence.
Elena snatched the blanket and pulled it over herself, trembling. Through blurred vision she saw him standing above her, arms crossed, eyes cold with disdain.
"Now I understand why you'll never be more than a third-rate actress," he said, voice dripping with scorn. "That pathetic performance couldn't convince a blind man. A whore would do better."
Every word struck like a knife, carving her open. Still, when he turned to leave, desperation clawed through her chest.
"Lucian!" Her voice cracked.
He stopped at the door.
"You promised," she whispered hoarsely, tears spilling at last. "You promised you'd save my brother. You won't go back on your word… will you?"