The man had no interest in learning anything about this woman. As long as things went smoothly, they would have no further entanglements. All he needed to do now was fulfill his role.
"Take off your clothes and lie on the bed."
His cold voice echoed, a deep command.
"Did you hear me? Now."
Seeing no response from the woman, he once again displayed his kingly dominance, as if the woman in the darkness was his slave.
Lydia's heart clenched in fear at the chilling voice. Who was this man? Why was she here? Did he know her?
Just as the man was growing impatient, the phone rang.
The ringtone pierced the silent, dark room, adding a touch of eeriness. When she saw the caller ID, a tiny spark of hope ignited within her.
Lydia quickly answered the phone, but the caller didn't give her a chance to speak.
"Lydia, you need money, right? I'll give you a chance. We've been dating for a while and you haven't even let me touch you. If you come over right now and make me happy, I'll pay for your mother's medical bills."
The words shattered the hope that had just begun to flicker in Lydia's heart.
"Kellan Erickson…"
"Don't call my name. You're not worthy."
Lydia wanted to explain, but she never expected to be despised to this extent.
"Can you calm down and listen to me? Are you really going to condemn me based on a few words from others? Do you think that's fair to me? Were we ever truly in love, or was it just…"
But the patience on the other end had run out.
"No need to explain. This is the only chance I'm giving you. You have the right to choose, not to explain."
Lydia felt as if she had fallen into an icy abyss. Her dignity had been trampled beyond recognition.
The only thing that made her feel slightly less humiliated was the man standing in front of her.
"I've already found another man. He gives me money that you can't. We're done. I hope you don't get fooled again."
Before the words had fully left her lips, Lydia threw her phone hard against the wall.
The call had clearly been from a man, making the stranger before her raise an eyebrow in disdain.
"Is that your boyfriend calling?" he asked mockingly.
"If it's not your first time, don't expect a single penny."
Humiliation burned Lydia, but she had gambled correctly.
"Let's find out," she said, trying to sound strong.
---
Lydia was left utterly exhausted. The warmth in the room still lingered, but his cold voice cut through it.
"For the next two days, you are not allowed to go anywhere. Take the money and follow the rules, or face the consequences."
He left her alone in the pitch-black bedroom.
Tears streamed down her face. Was she being held captive? How could she get out?
A maid later brought food, water, and a morning-after pill. Lydia learned it was already noon. She wrapped herself in the bedsheet and sat in the dark.
A while later, the man returned. He glanced at the moved pillbox, then turned to leave.
"I… can I go out this afternoon?" Lydia asked hesitantly.
"No, you can't. If you want to leave, return the money."
He straightened himself and headed for the door.
"Wait, when can I go out?" Lydia pressed.
He ignored her.
Panicking, Lydia jumped off the bed and blocked his way, her back pressed against the cold door.
His anger flared.
"Move."
The loud snarl shook her, but she refused to step aside.
"I'll move once I've said what I need to say."
"Shut up. No 'buts.' If you don't move, I'll throw you out of this room."
Her heart thumped wildly.
"Sir, please don't be angry. I just want to know when I can go out. I won't run. I won't meet anyone. If you're worried, you can have someone follow me. I—"
"I'll say it one last time, get—"
Before he could finish, Lydia kissed him, the only way she could think of to calm him down.
He shoved her away hard.
"Ah…"
Lydia fell to the ground. He didn't look back as he stormed out.
When she finally turned on the chandelier, what she saw made tears pour down her face. Her life was in ruins—her family destroyed, her boyfriend betrayed her, and now she had shared the most intimate act with a stranger in a locked, unfamiliar room.
She peeked out the window and saw his tall, imposing figure—long legs, steady stride, a perfectly tailored suit. A man whose back alone could make fans scream… but to Lydia, he was a lifelong disgrace.
With her phone broken and no way to contact the hospital, Lydia felt close to breaking down.
She waited until dinnertime, begged the maid, and finally borrowed her phone to call the nurse. Her mother and sister were stable—for now.
She exhaled shakily.
Now she had only one goal: convince the man to let her out so she could save her mother.
Lydia opened the door and called for the maid.