Adrian focused on the warm food, allowing the simple, grounding act of eating to push back the fear and humiliation. Angelica's unexpected kindness had been a necessary balm, a small piece of humanity in a situation that felt increasingly dehumanising.
He finished the meal slowly, savouring the feeling of normalcy, and pushed the plate away. He stood up, carefully pushing his chair back to its original position. He owed Alexander his obedience, and that included not causing any more trouble.
He started walking toward the hallway that led to his room, intending to retreat into the only private space left to him.
A soft sigh escaped his lips as he quietly closed his door, slowly sliding his back on it as he sat on the floor.
He stared at the room, trying to make himself view it as just a room and not a holding cell; but that's what it was, a prison.
"This is my prison," he murmured, resting the back of his head on the door and closing his eyes for a while.
