He Caged Me, Just to Guard His Lover

Chapter 3

Winnie moved in like she owned the place. On her very first day, she dragged me along as her personal mannequin for wedding dress shopping.

Let's be real—while I was sweating through my thirtieth gown, she was sipping champagne and critiquing from her plush chair.

My arms hung limp at my sides, every muscle screaming. The mirror showed what looked like a walking corpse—my face deathly pale, dark circles bruising my eyes.

When Julian finally stormed into the boutique, his frown deepened at the sight of me. But before he could speak.

Winnie latched onto his arm like a koala, whining, "Brother! You're late! I've been waiting forever!" Her pout could've won awards.

Julian's attention shifted instantly. "Work's crazy," he murmured, stroking her hair. "I'll make it up to you tonight."

"You'd better!" She fake-punched his chest, giggling.

I tuned out their cringe-worthy flirting, staring at the floor until the performance ended.

Then came Winnie's grand finale—slipping into my exact dress. She twirled like some Disney princess. "Who wears it better, brother? Me or Mia over here?"

Julian didn't even glance my way. "You, obviously."

But his gaze lingered on my waist as he added, "Though the dress does nothing for Mia's thick middle."

My hand flew to my stomach. If only he knew—our baby grew there, hidden beneath layers of satin.

"Since when do uncles bully their nieces?" Winnie stage-whispered. "Only Mia would tolerate you."

Julian said nothing. Just fixed me with those black-hole eyes, dark and endless.

"I'm done." My voice came out flat. "Going home."

Winnie gasped dramatically. "Now you've upset her!"

Right on cue, Julian snapped, "Winnie needs rest. You'll keep trying dresses." His tone left no room for argument—this was punishment.

I knew why. That damn debt.

Flashback to years ago. One DNA test exposed Julian as the bastard, and Howard went full psycho. Locked him up. Tortured him. By eighteen, the kid was more scar tissue than skin.

After his escape, Winnie played savior—gave him shelter when he had nowhere else to go. Then I supposedly betrayed him, sending him back to hell and getting her dad killed in the crossfire.

Cue tragic backstory. Winnie dropping out to nurse her sick mom, wrecking her health.

Now Julian worships her out of guilt. Thinks she's some saint. Never suspecting the truth—I had nothing to do with her family's downfall. Hell, I was the one who slipped him the keys to escape that night.

But try telling him that. With the weight of the world on my shoulders, I shuffled toward the dressing room.

Fumbling with the stubborn zipper, I froze as Julian burst in, his gaze locking onto me like a predator sighting prey. "Mia," he warned, his tone razor-sharp, "know your place. Don't even think about upsetting Winnie."

"You're imagining things," I said wearily. "I won't interfere with your relationship."

His lips curled in a mocking smirk. "Oh really? Then who was begging to be my b***h in bed last night?"

White-hot rage exploded through me—I was done with this sick charade. Shoving him hard, I snarled, "Get the hell out!"

He caught my wrist effortlessly, yanking me forward before slamming his mouth onto mine. I twisted away, gasping, "Not here. I don't want this."

Ignoring me, he scorched a path of biting kisses down to my ear. "Winnie's right outside!" I choked out, panic rising. "She can't find us like this!"

He stilled, desire still darkening his eyes, but stepped back with a ragged breath. "I'll let you off this time," he growled.

My heart turned to stone. For six years, I'd endured his cruelty, clinging to the fragile hope that his hatred was just love twisted by misunderstanding. But now the truth cut deep—I'd always been his conquest, never the one he truly loved.

Then why the hell had he spent every night trying to get me pregnant?