CHAPTER 85: CHAPTER 85 BAD FEELING

...

The next morning, I awoke to the golden glow of sunlight brushing against my face. I blinked slowly, taking in the soft morning silence. I yawned, stretching my arms wide like a bird ready to take to flight. The space beside was empty, I turned, Damon wasn’t in bed anymore. The other side was cold, he seemed to have been gone for a while.

I sat up quickly, wondering if I had drooled or kicked him during sleep. Nothing seemed out of place, so maybe I survived the night without further crimes.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I spotted a figure standing by the window, his abs glowed like it was dipped in honey, the golden rays of the sun magnifying his body. He twirled a glass of wine in his hand before sipping from it elegantly. His muscles flexed slightly as he turned. His eyes met mine.

’Hot... handsome... and hot. Just how I like it.’ I gawked at him, feeding my eyes the food it didn’t realize it had been missing for a long time.

"You’re up," he said nonchalantly.

"Yes, Master." I said hesitantly, wiping my mouth to get rid of any possible remnant of drooling.

"For someone who had punched me like I was a sandbag. Isn’t your voice too scared to suit your preceding nature?"

I winced. "That was an accident."

’This dumbass doesn’t know how to forgive and forget. How long is he going to taunt me with these words?’

His brow lifted. "You aimed with precision."

I looked down, pulling the blanket tighter around me.

He grabbed something from the table and tossed it toward me. "Get ready."

Out of reflex I caught the bundle. Well, clothes.

"Why?" I asked slowly, raising the dress up.

"We’re going somewhere."

My brows furrowed. "Where?"

He didn’t answer.

I hesitated. "Can I stay here?"

I was tired already. And a part of my mind believed he was going to take out to bait the rogues. Even though I had agreed before... I just wasn’t ready yet.

He turned around, his tone final. "No. Get dressed. You’ve got five minutes."

I looked at the clothes in my lap. They were simple, clean, and clearly picked for me.

"Where are we going?" I whispered, my voice trembled.

He took another sip from his glass of wine. "To pay a little visit."

I sighed, resigning to my fate.

The pale blue dress felt soft against my skin. It wasn’t fancy, but it clung lightly to my body and complimented my blue eyes, which looked too tired for how early the day was. I combed my hair back with shaky hands, exposing the tender skin of my neck.

When I stepped out, Damon was already standing near the mirror, adjusting his cufflinks. He was dressed in a sleek black suit that made him look like someone carved out of stone, he looked elegant, dangerous, and far too powerful for the likes of me.

He turned to glance at me, and for a moment, just one brief second, something flickered in his eyes, surprise, maybe even admiration. But it was gone before I could be sure. His face returned to that same cold indifference I had grown too familiar with.

"You’re ready," he said flatly.

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

We left the room in silence. The halls were quiet, the usual bustle of the castle somehow muted today. Maybe everyone else sensed something was off too. Or maybe I was just being paranoid.

Alaric was already seated in the driver’s seat by the time we reached the car. He gave a small nod as Damon opened the door and gestured for me to get in. I obeyed, sinking into the seat and pulling the belt over me.

The car’s tires rolled out of the castle gates a few seconds later.

I stared out the window, trying not to fidget, but my hands refused to stay still. I kept rubbing the side of my dress or tapping my fingers against my knee. There was a weight in my chest that hadn’t been there before. A quiet voice in the back of my head whispering that wherever we were going, it wasn’t anywhere good.

Damon didn’t say a word the entire ride. He sat with his legs crossed, fingers drumming lightly against the side of his leg. His eyes were fixed ahead, but I could feel his presence like a shadow wrapped around me.

My heart began to thump faster as familiar buildings passed by. My unease grew until it wrapped around my spine.

’Where the heck is he taking me to? And why wouldn’t he say anything? I hate suspense.’

And then the car turned. I froze.

’No. No, no, no...’

The vehicle tires rolled to a stop in front of a large white mansion... the place I had once called home.

My breath caught in my throat.

I hadn’t stepped foot here since the day I was thrown away like trash. The memories that lived inside these walls were not ones I wanted to relive. Pain laced every corner of this mansion, and now... we were back.

"Get out," Damon said.

I was too dumbfounded to move.

My hands clutched the edge of the seat. "Why are we here?" My voice came out smaller than I wanted it to.

He looked at me, his face unreadable. "You’ll see."

That wasn’t comforting.

Alaric stepped out and opened the door on my side, waiting with a neutral expression. I glanced at Damon once more, hoping for some hint of mercy. He gave none.

Slowly, my feet touched the ground. The air smelled the same. The same trimmed hedges lined the walkway.

Every part of me screamed to run, to turn around and bolt. But Damon was behind me. There was no escape.

We walked side by side, but his strides were purposeful, while mine felt like a funeral march. My shoes clicked softly against the marble steps as we approached the door. That door, the very one I had been dragged through, shoved out of, and locked behind. The place that stripped me of everything.

A place I had once called home. A home that held nothing but horrible memories, the assault, the embarrassment, the auction and my father’s indifference. My lips quivered with the emotions slamming into me like tidal waves.

My fingers curled tightly by my sides. The wind blew past us, carrying the scent of lilac. It was the same perfume my stepmother used to wear. The memory stung.

I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t strong enough. But there was no turning back now.

Damon stepped forward and rang the bell. Its chime echoed in my chest like a warning.

I clenched my fists. My breath trembled. My heart was racing like it knew something I didn’t.

As the door handle began to turn, I swallowed hard and lifted my chin, bracing myself for the monsters waiting behind the door.