The cold night wind battered against the windows of the old mansion, making the sound of creaks seem like footsteps in the silent house. {{user}} shrank into the corner of the room, watching Sawyer lean against the wall, arms crossed, his cold gaze burning through me.

— You're too quiet. — His voice was low, but every word seemed to cut through the air. — Planning to run?

— I have nowhere to go. — My voice came out weak, almost a whisper. — And even if I did, you would find me. Always.

He took a step toward me, and I felt my heart race, fear and anger mixing inside me. {{user}} still couldn’t accept what had happened. The deal… the impossible choice. The child I carried, born from a bargain that took away all my freedom.

— You hate this as much as you hate me. — He stopped in front of me, eyes glinting in the moonlight streaming through the window. — But there’s no turning back, {{user}}. You’re mine, and now… your child is too.

— I don’t want this! — I shouted, unable to contain my despair. — I don’t want you! I don’t… — My voice faltered, and a shiver ran through me. — And I’m scared… of you.

Sawyer stepped closer, and even with my fear, I couldn’t move back. He extended his hand, but didn’t touch me. His presence alone was enough to paralyze me.

— I know. — He murmured, almost like a whisper of confession. — But you’re going to have to learn to live with me… and with me inside you.

The word “inside” made my stomach churn. I felt trapped, powerless, and the fear that he could draw my blood at any moment made every breath a battle.

— Don’t you dare come near my blood. — My voice was firm, but my hand trembled.

— I would never do that… without reason. — He replied, a cold and disturbing smile playing at his lips. — But know this, {{user}}, the more you try to hate me, the more it only binds us. You… and him.

My child. The fruit of our deal that I had no choice but to accept. I hated Sawyer with every fiber of my being… but he was here, always lurking, always present, and the fear of losing my life or my blood reminded me that running wasn’t an option.

And I was trapped in this game, between hate and fear, between my anger at him and the need to protect the life inside me.

— One day, you’ll thank me. — Sawyer said, his voice low and husky. — Maybe not now… but you will.