Sophia didn't sleep.
Not even for a second.
She lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling as the events of the night replayed over and over again in her mind.
The escape.
The guards.
Him.
"You belong to me."
Her chest tightened.
"No," she whispered into the silence, turning onto her side.
"I don't."
But the words felt weaker now.
Uncertain.
And that scared her more than anything.
A soft knock at the door broke through her thoughts.
Sophia sat up immediately, her body going tense.
"Who is it?" she called, her voice cautious.
"The staff, miss."
Miss??
That was new.
Sophia hesitated before getting up and opening the door slightly.
A middle-aged woman stood outside, dressed neatly, her posture straight but her expression… gentle.
"Good morning," the woman said politely.
"My name is Rosa. I've been assigned to assist you."
Sophia blinked.
Assist?
"I don't need help," she replied quickly.
Rosa didn't seem offended. If anything, she looked like she expected that response.
"Mr. Marino insists," she said calmly.
Of course he did.
Sophia sighed, stepping back to let her in. "Fine."
Rosa entered quietly, followed by two other women carrying boxes.
Clothes.
Shoes.
Accessories.
Sophia's eyes widened slightly.
"What is all this?"
"Your wardrobe," Rosa replied simply.
"Everything has been selected for you."
Anger flared instantly.
"I didn't ask for this."
"No," Rosa said gently. "But you'll need it."
Sophia crossed her arms. "Take it back."
The room fell quiet.
Rosa hesitated.
Then—
"I wouldn't advise that."
A deep voice filled the room.
Sophia's entire body stiffened.
She turned slowly—
And there he was.
Luciano leaned against the doorway like he owned the air itself.
Dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, his presence alone shifted the entire atmosphere of the room.
The staff immediately lowered their heads and stepped back.
Fear.
Always fear.
Sophia's jaw tightened. "Do you ever knock?"
Luciano's gaze flicked over her, slow and assessing.
"No."
Of course not.
He stepped inside, his eyes briefly scanning the room before settling back on her.
"You'll wear what's provided," he said.
"Or what?" she challenged instantly. "You'll force me?"
A dangerous silence followed.
Luciano took a step closer.
Then another.
"You're testing me again," he murmured.
Sophia held her ground, even as her heart pounded.
"Maybe I am."
For a moment, it felt like the air itself stopped moving.
Then--
Luciano smiled.
Not amused.
Not warm.
Dangerous.
"Good," he said softly. "Then let's make things clear."
Sophia's stomach dropped slightly.
This didn't sound good.
He turned slightly, addressing the staff without looking at them.
"Leave."
They didn't hesitate.
Within seconds, the room was empty—just the two of them again.
Alone.
The silence stretched.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Then Luciano spoke.
"My rules are simple," he said, his voice calm but firm.
"You follow them… and your life here will be easy."
Sophia crossed her arms tighter. "And if I don't?"
His eyes met hers.
Cold.
Unyielding.
"Then it won't be."
A chill ran down her spine.
She hated how easily he said it.
Like it didn't matter.
Like she didn't matter.
"Rule one," he continued, stepping closer.
"You don't leave the mansion without permission."
Sophia let out a bitter laugh. "That's not a rule. That's a cage."
Luciano didn't react.
"Rule two: You don't go anywhere alone at night."
Her brows furrowed. "Why?"
A pause.
Then—
"Because not everyone in my world is as patient as I am."
Her stomach twisted.
That didn't sound like a warning.
It sounded like a threat… from others.
Or maybe even from him.
"Rule three," he said, his voice lowering slightly, "you don't defy me in front of others."
Sophia's eyes narrowed. "So I'm just supposed to obey you like everyone else here?"
Luciano stepped closer again, stopping just inches away from her.
"No," he said quietly. "You're supposed to understand the difference between defiance… and stupidity."
Her breath caught.
The intensity in his eyes made it hard to look away.
But she refused to back down.
"And what happens if I break your rules?" she asked.
Luciano's gaze dropped briefly to her lips—then back to her eyes.
Slow.
Intentional.
"Then I remind you why they exist."
Her pulse spiked.
"That sounds like a threat."
"It is."
Silence.
Sophia swallowed, her throat suddenly dry.
But she forced herself to speak anyway.
"I'm not afraid of you."
A lie.
A very dangerous lie.
Luciano studied her for a long moment.
Then—
He reached out.
Sophia tensed immediately, but this time… she didn't pull away.
His fingers brushed against her wrist again, tracing lightly over her skin.
Not forceful.
Not rough.
But it sent the same confusing jolt through her.
"Liar," he said softly.
Her breath hitched.
She yanked her hand back this time, putting distance between them.
"Stay away from me."
His expression darkened slightly.
Not angry.
But affected.
Like her rejection didn't sit well with him.
Interesting.
"You'll learn," he said quietly.
"I won't," she shot back.
Another pause.
Then—
"We'll see."
That again.
Those same words.
Like he already knew how this would end.
Sophia clenched her fists.
"I want to talk to my father."
Luciano's expression shifted—just slightly.
"You will."
"When?"
"When I decide.
Frustration burned through her. "You can't just control everything!"
Luciano tilted his head slightly.
"Watch me."
Her chest rose and fell rapidly.
God, she hated him.
Hated how calm he was.
Hated how powerful he was.
Hated how he made her feel—
Confused.
Trapped.
And something else she refused to name.
His gaze went to her chest before looking away quicklyz then he turned toward the door again, as if the conversation was already over.
"Get dressed," he said. "You're having breakfast with me."
Sophia blinked. "I'm not—"
He stopped mid-step.
Didn't turn.
But his voice dropped.
"You are."
A command.
Final
Non-negotiable.
The door opened.
Then closed.
And once again—
She was alone.
Sophia stood there, her heart racing, her thoughts spinning.
His rules echoed in her mind.
His voice.
His touch.
His control.
"Breakfast?" she muttered bitterly. "Unbelievable."
Her gaze shifted to the clothes laid out for her.
Beautiful.
Expensive.
Chosen.
By him.
Her jaw tightened.
"I'm not playing your game," she whispered.
But even as she said it…
She walked toward the wardrobe.
Because deep down--
She knew something he hadn't said out loud yet.
This wasn't just about rules.
It wasn't just about control.
It was about something far more dangerous.
Something that was already beginning to grow between them.
And if she wasn't careful…
She might not just lose her freedom.
She might lose herself too.