Chapter Two: Mine
Ethan's pov
The sound of her muffled sobs filled the silence of the room. It wasn't the first time Amelia had cried, and it wouldn't be the last. She sat curled up in the corner, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees as if that would protect her from me.
"Stop crying," I said coldly, pacing the room with calculated steps. My voice was devoid of emotion, a tone I'd perfected over the years. "You think tears are going to change anything?"
She looked up at me, her big, tear-filled eyes pleading. "Ethan, please… I can't do this anymore. I can't..."
"You can, and you will," I cut her off, my voice like a blade. "You're not going anywhere, Amelia. You signed the contract. You're mine."
Her lips quivered, and fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. She was so fragile, so delicate, like a porcelain doll. I could see the cracks forming, but I didn't care. Or at least, that's what I told myself.
"You treat me like I'm nothing," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I can't breathe in this house. I feel like I'm suffocating."
"Good," I said, leaning against the edge of my desk. "Maybe then you'll stop thinking about running away."
Her gaze dropped to the floor, her fingers clutching at the hem of her dress. "Why are you like this?" she asked softly, almost to herself. "What did I ever do to deserve this?"
I laughed, a bitter sound that echoed in the room. "You think this is about you, Amelia? Don't flatter yourself. You're here because I need you to be. That's all."
She flinched at my words, and for a moment, something inside me twisted. Guilt? No. I couldn't afford to feel guilt.
Amelia wiped her face with the back of her hand and stood shakily. "I'm leaving," she said, her voice firmer than I expected.
I crossed the room in two strides, grabbing her wrist before she could take another step. "You're not going anywhere," I said, my grip tightening just enough to make my point. "You belong to me, Amelia. Do you understand that?"
Her lower lip trembled, but she didn't pull away. "You can't keep me here forever, Ethan. One day, I'll leave, and you won't be able to stop me."
I leaned in, my voice a low growl. "Try it, and you'll regret it."
Her tears fell silently now, and for a moment, I almost hated myself. Almost. But I pushed the thought aside, burying it deep where it couldn't touch me.
"Go to bed," I said, releasing her wrist. "And don't let me hear another word about this."
Amelia hesitated, her eyes searching mine for something mercy, maybe. She wouldn't find it.
She turned and walked away, her shoulders slumped in defeat. As I watched her retreating figure, a strange sensation settled in my chest.
I ignored it, telling myself it didn't matter. She didn't matter.
But as the door closed behind her, her words lingered in the air, refusing to be silenced.
"You're mine." I repeated the words softly to myself, trying to convince myself as much as I had her. But for the first time, I wasn't so sure.
I slammed the door to my study behind me, the echo reverberating through the house. Amelia's tear-streaked face flashed in my mind, and for a fleeting moment, I felt something unsettling regret.
No. I didn't have the luxury of regret.
I grabbed my coat and phone, dialing my driver as I strode down the grand staircase.
"Be outside in five minutes," I barked into the phone before hanging up.
The cold night air bit at my skin as I stepped out. My car pulled up moments later, and I slid into the back seat, barely giving Thomas, my driver, a glance.
"Where to, sir?" he asked cautiously.
"The café," I snapped. "The one from yesterday."
He didn't ask questions he never did. The car hummed to life, and we were on our way.
The café looked different at night, quieter, almost serene. The lights inside cast a warm glow against the dark streets. I stepped inside, the faint aroma of coffee and baked goods greeting me.
The bell above the door chimed softly, but this time, I wasn't met with Kiara's bright eyes or warm smile. Instead, a younger barista stood behind the counter, busy wiping down the espresso machine.
"Excuse me," I said, my voice curt.
She looked up, startled. "Oh, hi! Can I help you?"
"Where's Kiara?" I demanded, ignoring the startled look on her face.
The girl blinked, clearly taken aback by my tone. "Um… Kiara doesn't work here anymore. She resigned earlier today."
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Resigned?
"Do you know where she went?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
She hesitated, glancing around as if looking for someone to save her from the conversation. "I… I don't know. She didn't say."
"Are you buying anything from us sir?" The lady asked but I ignored
My jaw tightened, frustration bubbling to the surface. I had no reason to feel this way,no reason to care. And yet, the thought of her being gone, out of my reach, gnawed at me.
"Thank you," I muttered, turning on my heel and storming out.
The drive back home was a blur. Thomas didn't say a word, and I didn't offer an explanation. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, each one more infuriating than the last.
Why did it matter that Kiara was gone? She was just a stranger,a fleeting moment in a life filled with contracts, power plays, and control.
And yet, I couldn't shake the memory of her laugh, the way her eyes sparkled when she smiled. I shouldn't have given her my card when I had the chance to .She's more beautiful than Amelia and I want to make her mine.
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms.
Kiara was gone.
And I hated how much that bothered me.