So many nights , when her back ached and she was too tired to move , Lily would still curl up against him like a kitten - nipping , pushing back , resisting him in that clumsy , soft way . In two years of marriage , that was the only kind of resistance she'd ever shown him . Now , the woman in front of him - so guarded , so full of defiance - felt like a stranger . But instead of pushing him away , it only stoked his desire to conquer her . Was this some trick she picked up ? Playing hard to get ? " I - what complaint did I even make ? " Lily froze . Could it be that James had gone to Jared ? She hadn't said anything bad about Jared , had she ? She'd gone behind his back to the Bolt family's old estate , and though she'd left feeling justified , now guilt crept in - deflating her like a balloon popped midair . " Let's make a deal , " Jared said , expression taut , the tone of a business negotiator slipping in . " Behave . Stay in your place as Jared's wife . I'll give you anything you want . But from now on , you do as I say . " He laid out his biggest chip : " If you still want those hospital records , agree ." Lily's eyes widened . So James had handed the task over to Jared . He had her exactly where he wanted her . As her expression changed , Jared relaxed a little . The authority returned to his posture - smug and towering , as if he were bestowing a gift upon a beggar in the street . To him , letting her keep the title of Mrs. Jared Bolt was her good fortune . She should be grateful , obedient . She shouldn't ask for love - and certainly not anything beyond the role he gave her . The color drained from her face , breath shallow , as if suffocating beneath the weight of his entitlement . There was something pitiful in her silence . Jared reached out , taking her hand from her lap . His rough thumb brushed the back of her soft skin . 174 10:57 Thu , Sep 11 Jared couldn't help himself . Her clothes were half - undone , and he looked like he fully intended to take her right there . She accepted it . Not because she wanted him - but because the alternative was worse . She admitted to herself : he liked her body . Only her body . In the end , though , this was still public . And Jared , for all his hunger , still had enough self- control to rein it in . He drove them home . Rain traced lines down the windowpanes , flickering like firelight in his dark eyes . The want in him was overwhelming - so much so that he completely missed the sorrow in hers . Lily thought to herself . We've already done it so many times ... what's a few more ? But when the moment came , she couldn't ignore the ache in her chest . That quiet devastation she used to pretend didn't exist . He kissed her , and where once she imagined love , now there was only a void . No matter how gentle or urgent his hands , it was just a transaction . An exchange of privilege for submission . Outside , the rain whispered against the windows . Inside , Lily bit down and let it happen . Jared was more than satisfied . So satisfied he forgot to hold back , even though he knew it would hurt her . He told himself it was punishment for her misbehavior these past few days . But she didn't protest . She blushed , dazed , almost as if she enjoyed it . In his eyes , it was just another excuse to take more . By the time the rain eased , they had moved to the villa's bedroom . Lily wore only his shirt . Her pale legs glistened with sweat as they tangled in the sheets . The sight of her - soft and vulnerable - lit him up all over again . They didn't sleep . Lily hovered between wakefulness and numbness . 2/4 10:57 Thu , Sep 11 Somewhere near dawn , she heard Jared on the phone - his voice low , hoarse from hours of release . " Sarah , " he rasped , urgent now . " Don't go anywhere until I get there . Just hide - do you hear me ? Stay safe ." Send Gifts 2.4K Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!