Chapter 3 His possession

"Get up and clean this mess, girl. What do you think you are, a queen?"

Nirvana barely dodged the dirty rag thrown at her face. The other maids sneered as she limped toward the kitchen, her ankle throbbing from hours of forced labor. Scrubbing floors, lifting heavy crates, fetching hot water...it never ended. She knew they did it on purpose, punishing her for being "special" to RAyNe St Trinity.

"You missed a spot," one of them taunted, kicking over a bucket of soapy water. Nirvana clenched her fists, swallowing the sharp words on her tongue. Fighting back would only make things worse.

"You okay?" a soft voice whispered behind her. Luna, the only person in this house who didn't treat her like dirt, placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"I'm fine," Nirvana lied, wincing as she shifted her weight.

Luna sighed. "You should rest before he gets back. You know he won't care if you collapse."

Nirvana nodded, but deep down, she wasn't sure that was true.

Later That Night

The sound of the front doors slamming echoed through the mansion. Heavy, deliberate footsteps followed. Nirvana barely had time to throw on a robe over her damp skin before RAyNe entered her room.

The scent of whiskey clung to him, and his sharp blue eyes were darker than usual...wild, dangerous.

"You're hiding something," he murmured, his gaze raking over her.

Nirvana's pulse spiked. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't play dumb with me." He stepped closer, forcing her back against the cold wall. His hands planted beside her head, trapping her. "I can smell the fear on you, little dove. What is it?"

Her breath hitched as he leaned in, his lips hovering near hers. It wasn't a kiss...just a cruel tease.

"I...It's nothing," she stammered, but he wasn't fooled.

RAyNe's fingers trailed down her arm, gripping her wrist. She gasped in pain. He went still. Then, slowly, he lifted her hand into the dim light.

Bruises. Swollen. Raw.

His jaw clenched. "Who?"

She shook her head. "It's nothing..."

"Who hurt you?" His voice was eerily calm, but the storm in his eyes said otherwise.

Nirvana yanked her hand away, but RAyNe was faster. In one swift motion, he grabbed the knot of her robe and yanked it open, exposing more bruises along her ribs and thighs.

Her breath caught. "Stop..."

His fingers traced a particularly dark bruise along her hip. His touch wasn't gentle, but it wasn't cruel either.

"Who did this?" he repeated, quieter this time.

She bit her lip, refusing to answer.

RAyNe's hand curled into a fist. "Fine. If you won't tell me, I'll find out myself."

He turned toward the door, his entire body radiating lethal rage.

"RAyNe, wait..."

He glanced over his shoulder, his smirk cold, dangerous. "Stay here, little dove. I'm about to remind my staff who owns you."

The door slammed behind him, leaving Nirvana breathless, heart pounding.

And for the first time, she wasn't sure if she was more afraid of the servants... or RAyNe.

Silence swallowed the room after RAyNe stormed out, but Nirvana's heart wouldn't stop hammering.

She could hear his footsteps echoing down the hall, steady, controlled...too controlled. That was the terrifying part. RAyNe St Trinity never raised his voice when he was angry. He didn't need to. His silence was a warning, a blade sharpened just before it sliced.

Nirvana swallowed hard, gripping the edges of her robe, trying to steady her breathing.

I should stop him.

But the thought barely formed before the first scream rang out.

Her blood ran cold.

Then came the sound of something crashing...glass, maybe...followed by the unmistakable thud of a body hitting the floor.

Nirvana bolted toward the door, but as soon as she touched the handle, it flew open.

Luna stood there, wide-eyed, panting. "He's going to kill them."

Nirvana's stomach twisted. "Who?"

"All of them." Luna's voice shook. "He lined them up in the main hall."

Nirvana pushed past her before she could think twice.

By the time she reached the main hall, the tension was suffocating.

RAyNe stood at the center of the room, cold and merciless. His suit jacket was off, sleeves rolled up, veins visible along his forearms.

The servants stood in a row, heads down, bodies stiff with fear.

A man was already on the floor, clutching his ribs, groaning in pain.

Nirvana's breath hitched. She recognized him...one of the worst ones. The one who made her scrub the floors until her fingers bled.

RAyNe turned slightly, his piercing gaze locking onto her. "You disobeyed me."

She froze.

"I told you to stay in your room." His voice was smooth, but the edge in it was sharp enough to cut.

"I..." Nirvana's throat went dry. "RAyNe, stop this. Please."

His eyes flicked down to her robe, still barely tied, revealing glimpses of the bruises he had just seen. His expression darkened.

"Did they stop when you asked?" he murmured.

A chill ran down her spine.

RAyNe turned back to the servants. "Which one of you touched what belongs to me?"

No one answered.

His smirk was pure menace. "Wrong answer."

He moved so fast Nirvana barely had time to react.

A loud crack echoed through the room as RAyNe grabbed one of the men by the collar and slammed him against the marble floor. The man cried out, his face contorting in pain.

"RAyNe, stop!" Nirvana ran forward, grabbing his arm.

His grip tightened on the man's throat. His entire body was rigid, muscles coiled with restrained fury.

"Say the word, little dove," he said, voice deadly soft. "Say the word, and I'll stop."

Nirvana's heart pounded. Her fingers trembled against his skin.

If she told him to stop, he would.

But if she didn't...

Her eyes darted to the terrified servants, the ones who had tormented her for weeks.

One word. One choice.

And she wasn't sure which one she was supposed to make.

RAyNe's grip didn't loosen. His gaze burned into hers, waiting.

"Say it," he murmured. "Tell me what you want, Nirvana."

And for the first time, she wasn't sure she knew.