her room. Her body felt heavy, each step slower than the last. Her mind was clou

rk eyes pinning her in place, still lingered. His voice had

, she

stant footsteps of the staff moving in hidden corners. She finally reached the dining hall, and there he was–Raymond Sh

told her to sit close-after all, wasn't she his wife? But just as

iving, a silent

he took a slow step back, then another, before retr

tion. Plates were placed before them, each dish crafted with delicate precision.

pearl onions and mushrooms." His voice was steady, professional. "This recipe has been passed

and left with his staff, d

fell into

st his plate. He ate methodically, his movements precise, like a

divine, something she had never tasted before. But her stomach ch

a quick glance at Raymon

opped eating and

e said flatly, his voice cutting

r lap. "What do you mean?" she asked, though

ing. "When food is placed before you, you

er lip, her h

t her mouth before

round his knife, the sharp me

enc

and dangerous: "Eat

ing, one that sent a co

e wasn't hungry. She wanted to push the plate away but she wasn't stupi

ite, she felt Raymond'

sement in he

hout another word, he walked past her as though s

s fists

"I'm your wife, Raymond. The way

hed her sentence

ng p

ed his head, his shar

speak withou

knew she had crossed a line b

mor in her hands. "If you wanted a slave, yo

n the roo

his expression dark, predatory. He

tinctively

her

anot

k hit t

, his grip like steel. She let out a small gasp,

he dragged her t

, twisting in his grip

struggled, but

her room, her breath wa

, the force sending her

t and a sharp click

, rushing to the door, grabbi

as l

from the other side

k it tomorr

tsteps were

uckled, and she s

sed her forehead against the door, h

e came o

do to dese

, at the

y as a white car pulled up near the steps. The doo

of the jet, her long chest

landed on them, a wide sm

Reyes shrieked, da

, pulling her into a warm embra

You missed me so much that you

throat. "There's someth

lipping into the car bes

re the next words he s

Raymond... got ma

– "What?!" Joyce's screa