CHAPTER 5: THE CAGE
1068 Words
ELARA POV
“This isn’t a home. It’s a prison.”
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
My voice echoed off the high ceilings and marble floors.
Everything around me screamed money and power, there were crystal chandeliers, dark wood panels, and art that probably cost more than most people’s houses.
But the place felt cold.
Dead.
Like a beautiful cage built to trap me.
Stephen didn’t even blink.
He just turned those sharp dark eyes on me and said calmly,
“Call it whatever helps you sleep at night, Elara.”
Two servants in crisp uniforms waited nearby.
They bowed their heads respectfully when Stephen passed, but I caught the fear in their eyes.
Like they expected him to snap at any moment. It sent a chill down my spine.
This was the Beast’s territory, and everyone here knew it.
He started the tour without asking if I wanted one.
“You may move freely in the east wing, the main library, the gardens, and the dining areas. The west wing, my private offices, and the basement levels are off limits. Security is everywhere. Try to leave the grounds without permission and the consequences will be… unpleasant.”
I stopped walking and crossed my arms.
“Permission? You talk like I’m your prisoner.”
Stephen turned to face me fully.
His tall frame seemed to fill the hallway.
“You are my guest. A very expensive one. Guests follow rules.”
“Rules?” I laughed bitterly, the anger I had been holding since signing those papers exploding out.
“You destroyed my family, took our company, locked me in this fortress, and now you want respect?
You’re a monster who buys people’s lives like they’re toys!”
My voice grew louder, echoing through the quiet halls.
Servants nearby froze, their eyes wide.
I didn’t care. “You think throwing money around makes you better than us? You’re nothing but a bully in a fancy suit!”
Stephen didn’t shout.
He didn’t even raise his voice. He just watched me with that calm, unreadable expression that made me want to scream even more.
“Defiance has consequences here, Elara. I suggest you learn that quickly.”
“Or what?” I stepped closer, chin high, heart pounding with fury.
“You’ll lock me up? Starve me? Go ahead. Show everyone what kind of man you really are.”
For a second, something dark flickered in his eyes. But he stayed in complete control.
“As you wish.”
He raised one hand.
Two big security guards appeared almost instantly.
Before I could react, they took my arms and started walking me down the long hallway.
“Wait!” I struggled, twisting against their grip.
“Let go of me!”
Stephen watched without moving.
“Three days. East wing guest room. Water only. Maybe then you’ll understand how things work in my house.”
“No! You can’t do this!” I shouted as they pulled me away.
My heels scraped against the marble.
I kicked and fought, but they were too strong.
The last thing I saw before they turned the corner was Stephen standing there, calm as ever, like this was just another Tuesday for him.
They put me in a beautiful room, it was a soft bed, big windows overlooking the gardens, fancy bathroom.
Then they locked the door from the outside with a heavy click that echoed in my bones.
I was alone.
I pounded on the door until my fists hurt.
“Let me out! You bastard! Open this door!”
My voice grew hoarse.
Tears burned my eyes.
I slid down the wall, chest heaving with angry sobs. “I hate you, Stephen Black. I will never break for you.”
The first day was pure rage.
I paced the room like a trapped animal. I cursed his name.
I threw pillows at the wall.
I imagined slapping that calm face again. Hunger started gnawing at my stomach by evening, but I refused to think about it.
He wanted me weak? I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
By the second day, anger started mixing with fear.
The silence was deafening.
No phone.
No TV.
Just my own thoughts screaming in my head. Why did he choose me? Why not just take the company and leave me alone? What was his real plan? The questions spun around and around until my head hurt.
I touched Mom’s locket around my neck and cried quietly.
“I miss you. I miss Dad. I miss home.” Loneliness pressed down on me like a heavy weight.
The beautiful room felt like a tomb.
I wondered if anyone outside these walls even cared what was happening to me.
Hunger made everything worse on the third day.
My stomach ached constantly.
My legs felt weak when I walked to the window.
I drank the water they slid through a small slot in the door, but it wasn’t enough.
Exhaustion pulled at me.
I curled up on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
Still, I didn’t beg. I wouldn’t.
“You won’t break me,” I whispered to the empty room. “Never.”
The lock clicked on the morning of the fourth day.
I sat up fast, heart racing.
A servant stood in the doorway, eyes lowered.
“Mr Moretti has prepared lunch downstairs, miss. Mr. Black is waiting.”
My legs shook as I stood.
Hunger made my head spin, but I lifted my chin and walked out.
I refused to look weak.
The hallways felt longer now. Every step reminded me how alone I was in this place.
The dining room was stunning.
Stephen sat at the head of the table, looking perfectly composed in another expensive black shirt.
He glanced up as I entered, those dark eyes studying me carefully.
I expected him to look smug.
He didn’t.
He just watched me with that same calm intensity.
I stopped a few feet away, fists clenched at my sides.
My voice came out rough from three days of shouting and silence.
“Are you happy now? Did locking me up make you feel powerful?”
Stephen set down his fork slowly.
He studied my tired face, my messy hair, the way I swayed slightly on my feet.
Then he spoke in that low, controlled voice.
“Now… shall we start over?”
- Writer
