Il Suo Zaffario (His Sapphire)

Chapter 3

LOGAN POV

After the charade Sapphire put up, she finally gave in and went back upstairs to the room she had been sleeping in. I sent food up there again, but she refused to eat.

"She's so stubborn," I muttered in frustration, slamming my fist against the wooden table. The sound echoed through the room, and I felt the tension coil tighter in my chest. "I'm not someone to be played with," I growled, standing up abruptly.

"What should I do?" Sara asked, her voice gentle yet concerned.

I sighed, trying to push down the irritation simmering inside me. "Sara, it's fine. I'll get her to eat one way or another," I said, my tone firm. She nodded and left, her steps soft and measured.

Sara was one of the few people I trusted. She wasn't elderly, not really, but age had graced her with wisdom and patience. She had been a close friend of my mother, and whenever my parents needed time for themselves, Sara had been there to take care of us. I offered her a job, knowing she'd look out for me the way she had for them.

Ever since I first laid eyes on Sapphire working at my bar, I couldn't get her out of my mind. There was something about her—something that drew me in, something I couldn't quite put my finger on. I had to have her. I knew it was wrong to kidnap her, but she really pissed me off. She was mine the moment I saw her, but she kept avoiding me, always giving me attitude. And I hated that. I hated the way she acted like she didn't see me.

When one of my men had touched her—no, when he dared to lay his filthy hands on what was mine—I broke his fingers without hesitation. The memory of his apology, the fear in his eyes, satisfied me only slightly. I would have killed him if it meant protecting her. I saw the way how they treated her in that bar and I could no longer let them do it.

I walked over to the window, looking out at the sprawling estate, trying to cool the anger bubbling under my skin. It wasn't just about control; it was about her. I couldn't stand the thought of anyone else having her.

I clenched my fists, my thoughts tangled with desire and frustration. Sapphire was unlike anyone I had ever met, and that's what made it so hard. I wanted her, but she made it so damn difficult. It was infuriating, yet it only made me want her more.

If she thought she could defy me, she was wrong. I wasn't someone to be disobeyed. I'd make her eat. I'd make her see that she belonged here, with me.

I turned away from the window, my mind already working on a plan. Sapphire would come to understand her place in this house, and I'd be damned if I let her slip through my fingers. But I wasn't about to force her hand. If I wanted her to love me, I had to be patient, gentle even.

I made my way downstairs to her room, stopping outside the door to gather my thoughts. Should I even knock? I hesitated, unsure of how she'd react, but I needed to show her that I wasn't here to hurt her.

After a moment, I knocked lightly. To my surprise, she answered almost immediately. "Come in," she said, her voice softer than I'd expected. I turned the knob and stepped inside.

"What do you want?" she asked, avoiding my gaze as she wrapped her arms around herself defensively.

"Dinner is ready," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "You haven't eaten anything since you got here."

"I'm not hungry," she replied, staring at the floor, her fingers nervously fiddling with the hem of her shirt.

"Yeah?" I challenged, leaning in closer. "Then why do I hear your stomach making noises?"

She blushed, embarrassed but still defiant. "Whatever. I'm not hungry. Now leave me alone."

That was it. My patience snapped. Before I could stop myself, I lifted her off the floor and threw her over my shoulder. She screamed and pounded her fists against my back, but I barely felt it.

"What are you doing?! Put me down!" she demanded, her voice frantic. But I kept walking.

"Since you want me to be the bad guy, then I'll be the bad guy," I said, my voice low and commanding. I slapped her ass lightly, enough to make her gasp and fall silent. "Now behave."

I carried her downstairs, ignoring her silent fury, and set her down in the dining room. Her eyes were wide, a mix of anger and fear, but she didn't resist when I pulled out a chair for her.

"Choose," I told her, my tone firm. "You either sit down and eat your food, or I tie you up and force you to eat."

Her eyes narrowed, but she nodded. "I'll sit and eat."

"Good," I said, satisfied as I watched her. I was about to leave when I noticed her reaching to pull her hair back. I stopped her, catching her hand gently.

"I'll do it," I said, and I carefully gathered her hair, pulling it back into a neat ponytail. She sat there, frozen, but she didn't protest.

"Now, after you're finished eating, take a bath. Sara will bring you some clothes," I instructed, trying to sound casual, though I was anything but. I needed to be careful with her, to handle her the right way. She needed to know I could be gentle, that I could take care of her.

"If you need anything, just ask Sara," I added before leaning down to press a kiss to the top of her head. I could feel her stiffen, but she didn't pull away.

I straightened up and walked out of the room, forcing myself to leave her be. There was a fine line between control and care, and I was dangerously close to crossing it. It was clear that I had issues but this wasn't totally all my fault. My dad went through the same thing with my mother. He didn't exactly told me everything but he shared a few information. So was I bound to have the same fate as him. My twin brother's fate was a lot different, he met the love of his life the right way. I guess one of us was bound to have the same fate as dad and I ended up being the one.

After a few hours Sara reported to me that Sapphire ate everything, took a bath then fell asleep. “Good girl” I whispered to myself.

“Logan, will you be having anything to eat?” Sara asked and I nodded then closed my laptop.

“Yeah I’ll be down shortly” I said and Sara nodded then smiled. “One day down another to go.”

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