Chereads / To him forever / Chapter 10 - Chapter 10: The Ultimatum

Chapter 10 - Chapter 10: The Ultimatum

The rest of the day passed in a blur, a whirlwind of contradictory thoughts and unanswered questions. Anna felt as though the ground beneath her feet was crumbling, leaving her teetering on the edge of a precipice. The conversation with Louis, with his promises of power and protection, had plunged her into a spiral of doubt. Every word he had spoken, every gesture, seemed to push her further toward a fate she wasn't even sure she wanted to be part of.

She found herself alone in the manor, walking slowly through the vast hallways, her silhouette outlined against the walls adorned with portraits of ancient families. The richness of the place now felt like a gilded cage, a place where she would be condemned to play a role she had not chosen.

As she wandered through the manor, lost in her thoughts, the door to the library opened abruptly. Louis entered, his dark eyes immediately locking onto her. He seemed calm, almost detached, but Anna knew he was still in control.

"Have you made your decision?" he asked without preamble.

She looked at him, momentarily hesitant. Her emotions were confused, and it was difficult for her to articulate what she truly felt. All she knew was that she was trapped in a web, and every option seemed equally sacrificial.

"I... I don't know," she finally replied, her voice broken. "I'm lost. You're telling me I have to choose, but how can I choose between hell and hell?"

Louis approached slowly, his footsteps echoing in the silence of the room. He fixed her with a gaze, his sharp eyes seeming to pierce into her innermost thoughts.

"Do you really think you have no choice? I told you that you need to make a decision, Anna, and you know it deep down. The question isn't whether you want to be free, but whether you really want to control your destiny. If you want the power to act, to influence what happens around you, I can offer you that freedom. But only if you commit."

Anna felt her heart tighten. "And if I refuse? If I don't want any of this?"

Louis stopped in front of her, maintaining enough distance to not intimidate, yet close enough for his presence to be imposing. "Refusing is renouncing everything. Refusing is accepting to remain just a pawn on the chessboard, never having the power to move the others. I told you that everyone has a role, Anna. But the one who refuses to play is quickly crushed."

A chill ran down Anna's spine. She knew Louis wasn't joking. He was willing to do anything, to use any weapon to maintain control, and she was caught in the middle of his game. Yet, a small voice inside her whispered that there might still be a way out.

"I... I want to know what it involves," she said finally, her voice trembling but resolute. "I'm not going to jump into something without knowing what it's all about."

Louis studied her for a moment, as if evaluating her words. Then he nodded slowly. "You're right. This isn't a decision to be taken lightly. The commitment I'm offering isn't just about you, but everything you're willing to sacrifice. Every day, you'll have to make choices, difficult choices. And those around you will have to abide by the rules of the game as well."

He paused, as if weighing the impact of his words. "But there are also advantages. If you choose to join me, to join this world, you'll be protected. You'll have power. You'll no longer be a victim, but an actor. And you'll be able to influence your own future."

Anna bit her lip, trying to weigh the pros and cons. She had seen this world from the inside, seen how others behaved. She had seen broken women, manipulative men, power games where everyone lost a piece of their soul with every move. But at the same time, Louis was offering her something she had never had: a way out of her condition, a way to take control of her own life.

"And if I refuse?" she repeated, this time more firmly. "What happens if I decide to leave, to escape from all of this?"

Louis leaned forward slightly, his eyes growing darker, more intense. "You can't run, Anna. Not now. You're already too involved. And if you think you can walk away as if nothing happened, you're wrong. If you choose to escape, I'll have to find you. And you'll know what that means."

There was an implicit threat in his words, a threat far greater than anything he had said before. Anna felt trapped, as if freedom was no longer an option. Her choices were limited. Stay in this world and accept her place, or leave and risk losing everything.

She sighed deeply, the weight of the world on her shoulders. "And if I decide to join you? What does it really involve?"

Louis fixed her with his piercing gaze, as if he had been waiting for this question. "It means that you agree to play by my rules, but also to defend yourself in this world. You'll have everything you desire, but you'll also have to protect what you've gained. It's a constant battle, Anna. And you'll have to prove every day that you have what it takes to stay on top."

Anna lowered her eyes, her mind in turmoil. Everything he said resonated with her, but she knew not to be blinded by the promises of power. This world, as alluring as it was, was a gilded cage, and every move she made would be a dance on a wire.

Louis waited a moment, as if he knew Anna's decision was about to unfold. "Take your time to think," he said finally, his voice softer. "But know this: the time you spend hesitating is time you lose. Make your choice, Anna. But don't let yourself be trapped by your own doubt."

He turned on his heel and left the room, leaving Anna alone with her choice. Louis's words echoed in her mind, repeating the same question over and over: which path would she choose? Submission or rebellion?

She knew deep down that no matter what choice she made, it would change her life forever.