Nicholas returned soon enough, holding a blazing-hot poker iron, his expression hard and unforgiving. Elizabeth's heart almost exploded in her chest, her whole body trembling visibly as she scooted on the floor, far away from him.
"What are you doing?" Hot tears streamed down her face, her eyes refusing to leave the poker iron. "Nicholas, please don't do this, don't do something you'll regret."
He grabbed her arm with one hand, the iron in the other, his lips twisted in a cruel smile. "I realized that I've been lenient with you, and for that, you don't know your place as a slave anymore. But don't worry; I'll teach you."
He dropped the hot iron on the floor and used both hands to rip the dress away from her body, baring her naked. He then pushed her onto the bed forcefully, her back facing him. Elizabeth struggled against his hold, but he was just too strong for her. He reached for the iron with his other hand, swiftly picking it up.
