Hours passed, and the room grew dim as the sun began to set. Yuzuha lay on the bed, her body aching and her mind numb. She had cried herself dry, her tears spent and her strength depleted. The thought of moving, of facing Dametri again, filled her with a paralyzing dread.
As the clock struck eight, the door creaked open. Dametri stepped into the room, his silhouette framed by the dim light from the hallway. Yuzuha's heart raced, her breath catching in her throat. She tried to sit up, to present some semblance of defiance, but her body refused to cooperate.
Dametri walked over to the bed, his eyes raking over her prone form. A smirk played on his lips as he took in her disheveled state. "Still unable to move, I see," he said, his voice dripping with mock concern. "How... pitiful."
Dametri reached down and scooped Yuzuha up into his arms, lifting her as easily as if she were a ragdoll. She gasped, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck for support. His skin was warm against hers, his muscles hard and unyielding.
"Let's get you cleaned up," he murmured, carrying her out of the bedroom and down the hallway. Yuzuha kept her eyes fixed on the ceiling, unable to bear the sight of her surroundings, unable to bear the reality of her situation.
Dametri entered the luxurious bathroom, the tile floor cold beneath his bare feet.
He carried Yuzuha to the large, sunken bathtub and gently lowered her onto the plush rug beside it. She winced as her bruised body protested the movement. Dametri turned on the faucet, the sound of rushing water filling the room.
He knelt beside her, his hands moving to the waistband of her pants. Yuzuha's breath hitched, her eyes widening in alarm. "What are you doing?"she whispered, her voice hoarse and trembling.
Dametri paused, his gaze locking with hers. "I'm cleaning you," he said simply, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You can't attend dinner looking like this."
His hands continued their task, efficiently removing her pants and underwear. Yuzuha bit her lip, fighting back tears as she was exposed once again. Dametri lifted her effortlessly, stepping into the tub and lowering her into the warm, bubbly water.
Yuzuha sat stiffly in the tub, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as if to ward off Dametri's touch. She hated him, hated his kindness as much as his cruelty. It made no sense, this gentle care after the brutal assault. It twisted her insides, confused her mind.
Dametri ignored her tension, his movements careful and deliberate as he bathed her. He used a soft sponge to clean her skin, his touch light and soothing. He washed her hair, his fingers massaging her scalp gently. It was a stark contrast to his earlier roughness, and it only served to confuse Yuzuha further.
"Why are you doing this?"she asked, her voice barely audible over the sound of the water. "Why bother taking care of me?"
Dametri paused, his hands stilling in her hair.
Dametri's eyes met hers, his gaze intense and unreadable. "Because, Yuzuha," he said softly, "you're mine. And I take care of what's mine."
He resumed washing her hair, his fingers working through the tangles with surprising gentleness. "Besides,"he continued, his voice taking on a darker tone, "I can't have you looking like a beaten whore at dinner. It wouldn't do for the staff to see you in such a state."
Yuzuha flinched at his words, a fresh wave of humiliation washing over her. She closed her eyes, fighting back tears. Dametri's care was a poisoned gift, a reminder of her helplessness, her utter dependence on him.
As he finished bathing her, Yuzuha felt a deep exhaustion settling into her bones.
Dametri gently lifted Yuzuha out of the tub, wrapping her in a fluffy towel. He patted her dry with surprising tenderness, his touch lingering on her bruises as if to soothe them. He helped her into a plush robe, tying the sash loosely around her waist.
He guided her to a nearby chair, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back. Yuzuha sank into the seat, her legs trembling with exhaustion. Dametri knelt before her, his eyes searching hers.
"Lean forward," he murmured, his voice softer than she'd ever heard it.
Yuzuha hesitated, then slowly leaned towards him. Dametri gently pressed his lips to her forehead, the kiss lingering for a moment. It was a gesture of affection, of care—one that belied the brutality of his earlier actions.
He stood, offering her his hand. "Come," he said, his tone gentle but firm. "Let's get you dressed for dinner."
As he led her back to the bedroom, Yuzuha couldn't shake the feeling that this was just another part of Dametri's twisted game.l
Dametri selected a elegant evening gown for Yuzuha, the silk fabric shimmering in the soft light. He helped her into it, his touch surprisingly gentle as he zipped it up and adjusted the straps. The dress hugged her curves, the low neckline revealing the bruises on her collarbone—a stark reminder of their earlier encounter.
He turned her to face the mirror, standing behind her. Yuzuha avoided her reflection, unable to bear the sight of herself. Dametri's hands rested on her shoulders, his thumbs brushing against her bare skin.
"You look beautiful,"he murmured, his breath stirring her hair. "No one would guess the truth behind your smile."
He spun her around, his fingers tilting her chin up to meet his gaze. "Remember, Yuzuha,"
"No matter how much you suffer, you will always belong to me."
His voice was soft, almost tender, yet laced with an unyielding authority that sent a shiver down her spine. Yuzuha clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms, the only thing keeping her grounded as the suffocating weight of his presence bore down on her.
Dametri's gaze roamed over her, admiring the way the gown accentuated her delicate frame. To anyone else, she would appear as a vision of elegance, a woman graced with wealth and luxury. But beneath the silk, beneath the polished illusion, she was nothing more than a prisoner dressed for display.
He leaned in, his lips ghosting over the bruises he had left on her skin. "Tonight, you'll smile. You'll laugh. You'll play your role like the perfect doll you are."His fingers trailed down her arm, his grip tightening just enough to remind her of the invisible chains binding her to him.
Yuzuha's breath hitched, her reflection staring back at her with hollow eyes. How many times had she played this role? How many times had she swallowed the scream lodged in her throat and let him pull the strings?
Too many.
Yet, deep within that shattered gaze, hidden beneath layers of fear and submission, something still burned.
A quiet, unrelenting defiance.
And Dametri—whether he realized it or not—had no idea just how dangerous that ember could become.