chapter 4

Cassandra's POV

Last weekend was one I wished I could erase completely. If only I’d known what kind of man Marcus was before signing that ridiculous contract. A professor, sure, but also something darker and more twisted—a psychopath, no doubt about it.

The thought of him made my mouth go bitter with bile. I hated how his presence seemed to take over my life, how he controlled my every move. I hugged my books closer to my chest as I walked into the campus, trying to shake off the memories, but they clawed their way back in.

Three weeks ago, everything had spiraled out of control. I’d barely spoken to Nate since. Not that I hadn’t tried; Marcus had taken my phone, cutting me off completely from the outside world. He didn't even let me reach out to Lauren! It was weird, but I hadn’t dared to push back. His threats were always filled with a sinister calmness that made me wary of him.

I hurried toward my class, my mind drifting to Nate’s calls—calls I couldn’t answer, even if Professor Marcus allowed me my phone. That same guilt from the night of the party had been eating at me all weekend. Nate didn’t deserve this silence. But before I could dwell on it further, a voice cut through the noise.

“Cassandra!”

I froze. The voice was unmistakable. Nate.

I turned, my heart roaring against my ears. There he was, the bane of my thoughts. His determined stride was already closing the gap between us. Panic made me gasp, and I turned and hurried away, hoping to avoid him.

“Cassandra, wait!” he called. "Wait up!"

Before I could slip away, his hand gripped my arm and turned me around to face him. “What the hell is going on?” he demanded. “I haven't seen you in so long, and you're not picking your calls either. Care to explain what happened three weeks ago?”

I glanced around, my eyes darting nervously. Was Professor Marcus watching? Did he know Nate was here? Fear coiled in my stomach.

“Not here, Nate,” I whispered, trying to pull away. “We’ll talk later. I have to get to class.”

“You’ve been avoiding me!” he snapped, his grip tightening. “I deserve answers!”

“Nate, please,” I begged, glancing around furtively. “People are watching.”

But he wouldn’t let go. “I don’t give a fuck what people are doing!” he hissed. “Tell me what’s going on!”

A shadow fell over us, and I knew before looking who it was. Marcus.

Oh, God!

“You should be more polite to the young lady,” Marcus called out. "She said she's not ready to talk."

Nate froze for a moment, then turned to him. “And what right does a professor have interfering in his student’s personal matters?”

"As many rights as you have, Nate Matthews." Marcus dug his hands into his coat pockets and stepped closer. I felt Nate stiffen beside me.

Nate stared at Professor Marcus for a moment. Then he turned to me. "Did you fuck him?"

I blanched and stepped back. "What?!"

Nate grabbed my arm again, yanking me towards him. His eyes looked rabid, free of any form of reasoning. "You fucked the professor, didn't you?"

Professor Marcus placed a hand on his shoulder. "Step back, Nate!"

“She’s not your concern!” Nate spat at him. "Leave us alone."

“On the contrary,” Marcus replied, a dark smile playing on his lips. “Cassandra is very much my concern.”

"Like hell she is!" Nate scoffed. "Go and find a class to be in or something."

"Watch your tone around me, boy!" Marcus growled suddenly.

I wanted to scream, to run, but I was frozen in place. Before I knew it, the professor reached out, his hand clamping over Nate’s wrist. The casual gesture didn't hide the force behind it. Nate’s face contorted in pain, and a choked gasp escaped him.

“Stop it!” I yelled. “Professor Marcus, let him go!”

But Marcus didn’t even glance at me. His gaze was fixed on Nate's terror-stricken face. “Do yourself a favor,” he said softly. “And walk away. Don't give me a reason to throw some hands and bash your face in.”

The entire student body seemed to have their eyes on us at that moment. The hallway had gone silent. Nate stumbled back, his eyes wide with fear. He didn’t say another word as he turned and fled.

Marcus turned to me with a stony look in his eyes. “My office." He snarled. "Now!"

I hesitated for a second. Every fiber of my being screamed at me to run after Nate. But I knew better. Marcus wasn’t the kind of man you could disobey without consequences.

When I arrived at his office, he shut the door behind me and locked It securely with the key. Then he leaned against his desk, rolling up his sleeves.

“You’ve been defying me, Cassandra,” he began with a cocked brow. “Do you think I wouldn’t notice?”

“I didn’t—” I started, but he cut me off.

“Quiet!” he snapped. In an instant, he grabbed me by the waist, lifting me onto the desk. My protests died in my throat as he tore through the fragile boundaries I’d tried to set.

“Marcus, stop!” I managed. But my breath had grown heavy. Warmth was already pooling between my legs.

Marcus ignored me, his hand trailing over the bare skin of my arms with a possessive dominance that left me breathless—not with desire, but with rage and humiliation. I wanted him to touch me all over, and at the same time it made me so angry with myself.

Just as my body betrayed me, he stopped the caress abruptly, leaving me trembling and furious.

“I told you,” he murmured, his breath hot against my ear. “No one touches you but me.”

"Oh, fuck off!" I glared at him, tears of anger stinging my eyes. “Nate is my boyfriend!”

“Not anymore,” he said with a wicked smile. “He doesn’t deserve you. Only I do.”

“You’re insane!” I spat, shoving him away.

He laughed and folded his arms. “Maybe. But you’re mine, Cassandra. Don’t forget that.”

I scrambled off the desk, grabbing my things. “This is just a contract,” I said, my voice shaking. “Nothing more. And when it’s over, I never want to see you again.”