Draft

Raine sat on the edge of the plush bed, staring at the soft glow of the bedside lamp. Her mind raced as she replayed the events of the day. Every word Voss had spoken echoed in her head, and her heart ached at the realization that her father’s debt had pulled her into this web of darkness.

The mansion was quiet, but Raine felt the weight of unseen eyes. It wasn’t just a house—it was a fortress, designed to keep her in as much as it kept others out.

She ran her fingers through her hair, the strands slipping between her trembling fingers. A knock on the door startled her.

“Miss Bennett,” Lydia’s voice called from the other side. “Mr. Voss would like to see you in his study.”

Raine hesitated. Every interaction with Voss left her more confused and trapped. But she had no choice. Taking a deep breath, she stood, smoothing her dress as she walked to the door.

Lydia stood with her usual composed expression. “Follow me,” she said, leading Raine through the dimly lit hallways.

When they reached the heavy wooden door of Voss’s study, Lydia opened it and gestured for Raine to step inside.

Voss sat behind a massive desk, a glass of amber liquid in his hand. He didn’t look up immediately, giving her a moment to take in the room. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with leather-bound volumes. A roaring fire cast flickering shadows, adding to the room’s intimidating atmosphere.

“Sit,” Voss said without preamble, his voice firm but not unkind.

Raine obeyed, perching on the edge of the chair opposite him.

He leaned back, studying her with those piercing eyes. “Have you come to terms with your new reality?”

She clenched her fists, summoning her courage. “I don’t know what you expect from me, but I won’t just roll over and let you control my life.”

Voss smirked, swirling the liquid in his glass. “You think you have a choice? Let me make this clear—you’re here because of your father’s mistakes. You’ll stay until I decide you’ve repaid his debt.”

“And how exactly am I supposed to do that?” Raine shot back, her voice trembling with anger.

Voss’s expression darkened. He stood, walking around the desk until he was towering over her. “By doing what I tell you to do. I don’t expect gratitude, but I do expect obedience.”

Raine felt the air shift, his presence overwhelming. She swallowed hard, refusing to let him see her fear. “And if I don’t?”

His smirk returned, colder this time. “Then your father pays the price.”

Her chest tightened. Voss’s words were like a noose, pulling tighter with every breath. She wanted to fight back, to scream, but the thought of her father kept her silent.

“Good,” Voss said, stepping back as if he’d won some invisible battle. “Now go. You’ll start your new role tomorrow.”

“What role?” Raine asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

He turned away, his back to her. “You’ll see.”

Lydia reappeared at the door, signaling that the conversation was over. Raine stood, her legs shaky as she followed Lydia back to her room.

When she closed the door behind her, she sank to the floor, tears streaming down her face. She didn’t know how long she could survive in Voss’s world, but one thing was clear—she wasn’t leaving anytime soon.

The Next Morning

Raine woke to the sound of a knock. Before she could respond, the door opened, and Lydia walked in.

“Good morning, Miss Bennett,” Lydia said, drawing the curtains open to let in the sunlight.

Raine groaned, shielding her eyes. “Do you always just barge in like this?”

Lydia didn’t seem fazed. “Mr. Voss has asked me to bring you to breakfast. He doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

Raine sighed, dragging herself out of bed. She noticed a dress laid out on a chair by the window—a simple yet elegant black dress.

“Did he pick this?” Raine asked, raising an eyebrow.

Lydia’s lips twitched as if suppressing a smile. “Mr. Voss is very particular.”

Raine bit back a retort and changed quickly, the fabric surprisingly comfortable. Lydia led her downstairs, where Voss was already seated at the head of a long dining table, a cup of coffee in hand.

He looked up as she entered, his gaze sharp and assessing. “You’re late.”

“I didn’t realize this was a formal meeting,” Raine muttered, sitting at the opposite end of the table.

Voss smirked, setting his coffee down. “In my house, every meeting is formal.”

Breakfast was a quiet affair. Voss ate with precision, his movements controlled, while Raine picked at her food, her appetite nonexistent despite the delicious spread.

When the meal ended, Voss stood. “Lydia will show you to the office. Your role begins now.”

Raine frowned. “You still haven’t told me what this ‘role’ is.”

Voss walked toward her, leaning down so they were eye to eye. His proximity sent a shiver down her spine. “You’ll be assisting me, Miss Bennett. Consider it part of your repayment.”

“With what, exactly?”

“Whatever I need,” he said simply, straightening. “Now, don’t keep me waiting.”

The rest of the day passed in a haze of tension. Voss assigned her mundane tasks—organizing files, typing up notes—but his presence was suffocating. Every time he moved, her senses heightened, as if her body was on high alert.

As the sun set, Raine finally left the office, her body aching from the stress of the day. Lydia was waiting outside the door.

“Miss Bennett,” she said, her tone gentler than usual. “Come with me.”

Raine followed her through the mansion, surprised when they stopped at a door she hadn’t noticed before. Lydia opened it, revealing a small library.

“Mr. Voss thought you might like this,” Lydia said before leaving her alone.

Raine stepped inside, running her fingers along the spines of the books. It was the first time she’d felt something other than fear or anger since arriving.

She sank into a chair by the window, pulling a book off the shelf. For the first time in days, she allowed herself to relax.

But even in the sanctuary of the library, Voss’s presence lingered in her mind. His words, his gaze, the way he seemed to see through her—it all haunted her.

And as she turned the pages, she realized one thing: no matter how much she wanted to escape, Voss was a storm she couldn’t outrun.

Okay so ppl!!

My exams are done!🙏🏼 so you guys will be getting either the regular updates or weekly twice (the updates). I hope you guys are loving the story, thank you all for yr humble support.

I would love to read all of yrs comments and reactions to the story. That makes to write more, js a glimpse of motivation of y'all.

Have a great reading!!!

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