Chapter 5
Rip!
The sound of fabric tearing echoed sharply in the quiet rooftop air.
Calista trembled, her eyes drifting downward. Seeing the people moving below, her face went pale.
“Don’t…” she pleaded, her voice trembling with tears. “Eric, not here…”
“Afraid now?” he scoffed, his grip tightening on her waist. “Why didn’t you think of what people would say when you let those photos go public?”
“It wasn’t me…”
She tried to explain, but Eric had already lost control.
Calista’s body stiffened, silent tears rolling down her cheeks.
Today marked one week since her father’s passing.
She should have been at his grave paying her respects. Instead…
“Say it. Who do you belong to?” Eric’s voice was low and forceful.
Calista bit her lip, refusing to answer.
“You won’t say it?” His tone grew colder, movements harsher. “Then let them all see for themselves.”
“No…” Her eyes widened in panic as she spotted guests leaving the auction below in pairs and small groups.
Eric grabbed her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “This is your last chance.”
Tears streamed down her face, but she stayed silent.
“Fine,” he said coldly. He pushed forward with force, and her chest hit the railing.
“Ah!” The cry escaped her lips before she could stop it. Her defenses. crumbled as she sobbed, “I’m yours! I’m yours!”
JGo on.” He did not stop, unsatisfied. “Say you’ll come to me–only me–if you ever need anything.”
Calista was shaking uncontrollably, her vision growing dim.
In her daze, she thought she saw her father in the distance, watching her with quiet disappointment.
Shame and sorrow rushed over her like a tidal wave.
Calista could not hold it in any longer. Tears streamed down her face as she cried, “Why… Why are you treating me like this…”
Before she could finish, her vision went black, and she collapsed.
When she came to, the sharp scent of disinfectant told her she was in a hospital.
Before she could fully gather her thoughts, Estelle burst into the room and slapped her hard across the face.
“You shameless thing! Flirting with Eric at home wasn’t enough–you had to do it in public too?”
Calista’s cheek stung from the blow. Before she could respond, Estelle grabbed her hair and yanked her off the bed.
“Since you love playing these games so much…” Estelle snapped, kicking her in the stomach, “then I’ll give you a lesson you won’t forget!”
Curled up in pain on the floor, Calista barely had time to react before two bodyguards lifted her roughly and dragged her out of the room.
The nurses and staff in the hallway looked away, no one daring to
intervene.
Eventually, she was dragged down to the second basement level.
When her eyes landed on the word “Morgue,” a chill ran down her spine.
“No!” She started struggling, panic setting in. “Please, let me go! Estelle!
Don’t do this!”
Estelle gave a cold smirk and motioned for the guards to shove her inside.
Bang!
As the heavy door slammed shut, Calista almost stopped breathing.
Darkness.
Cramped, airless space.
Cold storage units lined up against the wall.
She banged on the door with trembling hands, her voice cracking, “Let me out! I’m claustrophobic! Please, please let me out!”
Outside, Estelle’s voice carried a twisted amusement, “Let’s play a little
game.
“Call Eric. Tell him I’ve locked you in the hospital’s morgue.
“If he comes for you, you’re free to go. If he doesn’t…”
She let out a quiet laugh. “Then enjoy your stay.”
With no other option, Calista pulled out her phone, hands shaking, and dialed Eric’s number.
Once. Twice. Three times…
No answer.
Just as despair was about to swallow her, the line connected.
“Eric!” Her voice broke with desperation. “Ms. Denshaw locked me in the hospital morgue, I…!
There was a pause on the other end. Then Eric’s voice came, eerily calm.
“Calista. You’ve upset Estelle. Think about what you’ve done.”
