Chapter Ten

As the limo pulled into Theo’s grand estate, I couldn’t help but feel a cold sense of dread settle in my stomach. The mansion loomed in the distance, its dark, imposing silhouette casting a shadow over everything. The guards didn’t speak, their faces stone-cold as they kept a firm hold on me. I had no idea what was coming next, but I knew it wouldn’t be good.

When the car finally came to a stop, Theo didn’t even bother to get out with me. He simply gestured for the guards to drag me out of the vehicle. I stumbled, still weak from the shock of everything that had happened, but they didn’t care. They dragged me towards the house, ignoring my protests and desperate attempts to break free.

Once inside, the silence was even more oppressive. The guards led me down long, dimly lit corridors, their footsteps echoing off the marble floors. We reached a heavy door at the end of the hall, and one of them opened it, revealing a dark, cold room inside.

Theo stood by the door, watching me with that same unsettling smirk on his face. “Take her to the Red Room,” he ordered coldly, not sparing me a second glance. His voice was final, and the guards immediately obeyed, pulling me into the room.

I fought against their grip, but it was useless. The room was stark and clinical, the walls painted a deep shade of red that made my skin crawl. There was a large chair in the center, and several chains hanging from the walls. It was the kind of room you never wanted to be in. The kind of room where bad things happened.

As the guards fastened my wrists to the chains, I struggled to keep my breathing steady. “Please,” I begged, my voice shaking. “Don’t do this. I won’t fight you anymore. Just please, let me go.”

Theo’s voice came from behind me, cold and mocking. “You really think begging will make a difference, Sofia?

Theo’s footsteps echoed as he circled behind me, his presence oppressive, like a predator closing in. I could feel his cold gaze on the back of my neck, and every inch of me screamed to break free, but the chains held me in place.

“You broke the rules, Sofia,” Theo’s voice was calm, yet dangerous, like a snake ready to strike. “Rule three, to be exact.”

I froze. I had no idea what rule he was talking about, but the dread in my stomach deepened. I had been so desperate to escape that I hadn’t even stopped to think about the rules he had imposed on me. My mind raced, trying to recall anything that might help me understand what he meant.

Theo stepped closer, his voice lowering. “Rule three: Never try to leave without my permission. You think you can just walk away, pretend none of this matters?” His hand grazed my cheek, but his touch was cold, cruel. “Well, now you see the consequences.”

My breath hitched, the weight of his words sinking in. I didn’t want to believe it, but the look in his eyes told me everything I needed to know. He wasn’t kidding.

“And every time you break a rule,” Theo continued, his voice dangerously soft, “there will be consequences.

You’re mine, Sofia. You don’t get to decide when or how you leave.”

I struggled against the chains again, but the harder I fought, the more I realized there was no escaping him. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice small and broken. “I didn’t mean to… I just wanted to leave.”

Theo’s laughter was low, almost mocking. “You still don’t get it, do you? You can apologize all you want, but it won’t change anything. You broke the rules, and now you’ll face the consequences.”

His eyes darkened as he stepped back, his gaze scanning me with an almost clinical detachment. “New rule,” he said, as if rehearsing a list. “No defiance. The moment you try to resist me, you’ll learn just how serious I am.”

My heart raced in my chest as I realized the full extent of what I was up against. I had thought pleading, begging, or even trying to resist would help me. But now I understood—nothing mattered. Theo had control over everything, and I was just another pawn in his game.

His eyes darkened and the next word that came out from his mouth, I could not believe it. “Strip yourself naked.”

“What?” I said surprised.

His eyes darkened. “You are not deaf. I said strip yourself naked now!!” Theo yelled.