Chapter Five

Savannah jumped in fear and turned towards where the voice came from. There she saw Justin standing. The path was a bit dark, only a dim light bulb illuminated the place, casting an eerie shadow. Still it didn't hide his captivating beauty.

“Why are you wandering around at this time?”. Justin asked, his tone cold as he stalked towards her. Savannah gulped, her heart beating fast.

“I…I wanted to get some water but I got lost”, she merely whispered with her head bowed.

“You shouldn't be walking aimlessly by this time”. Jaxon warned.

“I wasn't walking aimlessly, I was…”

“Enough!”

Gasp

Savannah became quiet after being interrupted by Jaxon. Soon she noticed him walking away from her but she didn't know if she should stay or wait. A few seconds later he came back with a glass of water.

“Take this, go back to your room and don't come outside again”. Savannah took the glass with shaky hands, making the water spill. She thought he would say anything about it but surprisingly he didn't.

“Thank you”. She said and immediately spurned on her heels, trying to get away from him quickly.

*****

Savannah didn’t remember when she fell asleep.

All she knew was that when she woke up, her pillow was damp, her head throbbed faintly, and her chest still felt heavy as though something had been sitting on it all night.

Reality returned slowly, then all at once. She wasn’t at her uncle’s house. She wasn’t in the attic but that doesn't cause for any celebration because she wasn’t free either. She was sold to a man who hates her.

She sat up abruptly, her breathing uneven as her eyes scanned the room again, large, spotless, luxurious. Everything about it screamed wealth and comfort. But none of it belonged to her. It all felt like a cage, a golden and expensive cage.

Her fingers tightened around the bedsheet.

“Mrs. Blake…”

The words echoed faintly in her head making her stomach twist. She dragged her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around herself.

“Get it together, Savannah,” she whispered shakily. “Crying won’t change anything.”

But the tears still came anyway. A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. Savannah stiffened immediately.

“Who is it?” she asked cautiously.

“It’s Irene, dear.”

Relief washed over her. “Come in, the door isn't locked”. She said

The door opened gently, and Irene stepped inside with a warm smile that felt genuine. Not fake like her aunt or cruel like Tancy

“Good morning,” Irene said softly, carrying a tray of breakfast.

Savannah hesitated before replying. “Good morning.”

Her voice sounded hoarse which didn't go unnoticed by Irene. Her eyes softened, but she didn’t say anything about it. Instead, she placed the tray carefully on the table near the bed.

“I thought you might be hungry.”

Savannah stared at the food. Eggs and toast with fresh juice. A simple meal yet it felt like a luxury she didn’t deserve. Or maybe one she wasn’t allowed to trust.

Thank you,” she said quietly.

Irene nodded. “You should eat while it’s warm.”

Savannah slowly got out of bed, her movements cautious, like she was afraid the floor might disappear beneath her.

She sat down and picked up the fork. Her hand trembled slightly not from fear this time but from uncertainty. Was this kindness real? Or just part of whatever twisted game Jaxon was playing? She thought. Still her stomach growled softly.

She took a bite. It was warm, soft and delicious.

For a brief moment she felt human again. She hadn't eaten a proper meal in a long time.

Irene watched her carefully, then spoke.

“Mr. Blake has already left for work.” Savannah paused mid-bite. Something in her chest loosened slightly.

“Oh.”, she responded, not saying anything further.

“I thought you might feel more comfortable knowing that.”

“Thank you”, Savannah said as she lowered her gaze.

Silence stretched between them for a moment before Savannah gathered the courage to speak again.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“What kind of person is he?”

Irene didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she sighed softly, as if choosing her words carefully.

“Mr. Blake is… complicated.”

Savannah gave a small, humorless smile. “That doesn’t sound reassuring.”

Irene chuckled lightly. “He’s not a bad man.”

“He said he’s going to make me suffer.” Savannah’s grip on the fork tightened. Irene’s smile faded slightly.

“Yes… he can be very cold when he chooses to be.”

Savannah swallowed hard and said. “So it’s true.”

Irene stepped closer, her voice gentle.

“But he’s not heartless.”

Savannah shook her head slowly.

“He looked at me like… like I was something he hated.” Her voice cracked slightly. “I didn’t even do anything.”

Irene studied her face for a moment then asked quietly. “Do you know why he married you?”

Savannah hesitated, not sure if she should be having this conversation with Irene but she just wanted to tell someone about her problems.

“He said it has something to do with my parents.” Savannah said, her voice merely higher than a whisper.

Irene’s expression shifted, just slightly but Savannah noticed.

“What is it?” she asked quickly. “You know something, don’t you?”

Irene looked away. “I’m sorry, dear. That’s not my place to say.”

Savannah’s heart sank.Of course nothing was ever simple. Nothing was ever explained. She was just left in the dark and expected to endure it again. Every single time.

“After breakfast, I’ll show you around the house.” Irene said, gently changing the subject

“Why?” Savannah blinked.

“This is your home now.”

The words felt heavy and unwelcome but final.

Savannah forced herself to nod. “Okay.”

The mansion was enormous. Too big and very quiet. Every hallway echoed with emptiness, as though the house itself was holding secrets.

Savannah walked beside Irene, her eyes taking in everything. The polished floors. The high ceilings. The expensive art pieces.

It was beautiful but it didn’t feel alive.

“Does anyone else live here?” Savannah asked.

“No,” Irene replied. “Just Mr. Blake… and now you.”

Savannah frowned slightly. “He lives here alone?”

“Yes.”

Something about that felt lonely. Unexpectedly, her chest tightened again. She quickly pushed the thought away. Why should she care?

He hated her. He made that very clear.

They reached a large set of double doors.

Irene hesitated before opening them.

“This is Mr. Blake’s private workspace.”

“I shouldn’t go in there.” Savannah said, immediately stepping back.

“He’s not here.” Irene smiled gently and a little mischievously.

Still, Savannah shook her head. “I don’t want to make him angry.”

Irene studied her for a moment then nodded.

“That’s… understandable.”

They continued walking but Savannah’s mind lingered.

Private workspace.

Designer.

Something clicked faintly in her memory.

“You said he’s a designer, right?” she asked

“Yes. One of the best.”

Savannah’s fingers twitched slightly.

A familiar feeling stirred deep inside her chest.

Something she hadn’t felt since yesterday. Since everything fell apart.

“What kind of designs?”

“Fashion. Luxury brands. Global clients.” Irene's response made Savannah’s eyes lit up just a little.

“That’s… amazing.” She said, excitement laced in her tone before she could stop herself.

Irene noticed and this time, her smile carried something knowing. “Do you like design?”

Savannah froze at first, then slowly nodded.

“I wanted to be a jewelry designer.”

Wanted. The past tense hurt. Irene tilted her head.

“Wanted?”

“I don’t think that matters anymore.”Savannah’s gaze dropped.

A silence followed, not awkward, just heavy. Irene didn’t push further but something had changed.

A small spark had been revealed and it hadn’t gone unnoticed.

By evening, Savannah found herself back in her room alone again. The silence returned, thicker this time and more suffocating. She sat by the window, staring out at the fading light. Her reflection stared back at her.

A stranger.

A girl who had lost everything in less than two days.

“What am I supposed to do?” she whispered.

Run? That's impossible given her situation..

Fight? With what strength?

Endure? For how long?

The sound of a car pulling into the driveway made her body go rigid. Her heartbeat quickened instantly.

He was back.

A familiar, heavy and unavoidable fear crept in again. Footsteps soon echoed faintly through the hallway. Slow and steady. Savannah stood up quickly, her hands instinctively clenching at her sides.

The door didn’t open immediately but she knew he was there. On the other side waiting and perhaps watching too. His presence was too thick to ignore. Just when she thought he wouldn't enter the room. The door opened and Jaxon stepped in.

His presence filled the room instantly. Cold, dominant and unshakable, tripling the feeling of fear in Savannah's heart.

Savannah’s breath hitched. He didn’t say anything at first. His calculating eyes simply scanned her carefully as if assessing something.

She swallowed nervously and said timidly.

“You’re back.”

Jaxon watched Savannah intensely, his gaze fell on her plump lips, drawing and begging to be kissed. Annoyed by the thought, he raised an eyebrow slightly and responded to Savannah's earlier statement.

“Is that a problem?” He asked, his voice a bit hoarse but Savannah didn't notice.

“No.” She shook her head quickly.

Another silence ensued, stretching the unspoken, sharp tension between them.

“Did you eat?” he asked suddenly.

Savannah blinked, caught off guard.

“Yes.”

“Good.”.He nodded once.

Another pause.

Her confusion grew. This wasn’t what she expected. Not after last night and certainly not after his threats.

“Why do you care?” she asked before she could stop herself. The moment the words left her mouth she regretted it.