Chapter 4
Selene’s POV
When I opened my eyes again, Lucien was looking down at me.
Every time he showed up, it filled me with dread–like one nightmare after another that I couldn’t wake up from. I shrank back into the covers, terrified.
Sure enough, his next words were even more horrifying.
“You’re awake? There’s a business dinner tonight. You’re coming with me.‘
A business dinner? Lucien never took me to those kinds of events. Why would he suddenly want me
there?
His next words hit me like ice: “Years ago, Lorelei was forced to leave me and lost her chance at an acting career. There’s an S–tier project now, and I need to get her the lead role. The producer has been asking about you–to edge out other investors and get myself in, I need to keep him happy.”
My whole body trembled. “Lucien, are you trying to pimp me out to pave the way for Lorelei?”
Lucien frowned impatiently. “Don’t make it sound so fucking dramatic. You’re just entertaining a
client.”
“Entertaining? I still have stomach ulcers–how am I supposed to drink?”
“A few drinks won’t kill you. Stop being such a baby.”
“Lucien! Have you forgotten what you used to say? You said we’d only have each other!” I screamed
desperately.
Lucien rolled his eyes. “Sweet talk in bed? You actually believed that bullshit?”
My heart sank. Right–men say all kinds of things when they’re getting off. How stupid was I to
believe it?
“Look, quit your whining. Your contract clearly states you do whatever I tell you. After this is over, I’ll throw some money at you. You’ll be fine.”
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Compensation? Lucien had already broken his last promise. If I stayed with him any longer, I probably wouldn’t survive another year.
The astronomical penalty clause in my contract left me powerless. I had no choice but to let Lucien drag me to the dinner.
But when the producer saw my face, he looked disgusted. “What the hell happened to her face?”
My heart ached as I instinctively touched the scars on my face.
Those were from Lorelei’s rose thorns, scratch after scratch. She wouldn’t even let me treat them, so they left permanent marks.
Lucien, usually so arrogant, actually groveled for Lorelei’s sake: “Mr. Franklin, turn off the lights and they’re all the same. She’s a real slut in bed–she’ll definitely get you off.”
I froze, staring at Lucien in shock. “What the fuck are you saying?”
“Selene, don’t be so naive. A–list projects like this have every star in Hollywood fighting for them. If you don’t spread your legs, why would Mr. Franklin give Lorelei the chance?”
His cruel words sent me plummeting into an ice–cold abyss. Mr. Franklin chuckled, his rough hands
groping my ass. “Mr. Castellan’s right. Since you’re supposedly a good fuck, I guess I’ll have to test drive this damaged goods.”
I trembled in terror, pushing him away and running for the door, screaming at the top of my lungs: “Help me!”
My cry for help was like a drop of water in the ocean–it didn’t even make a ripple.
Mr. Franklin grabbed my hair and yanked me back hard. “Where do you think you’re going, bitch? Daddy’s not done with you yet.”
“Mr. Castellan, bring out the stuff.”
Lucien nodded, pulling a vial from his pocket. He opened it and grabbed my chin, forcing it down my throat.
“Stop fighting it, Selene. Drink this and just let Mr. Franklin use you like the whore you are.”
Tears of despair streamed down my face as I felt my body burning up and my consciousness fading.
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What I didn’t expect was that Mr. Franklin was a complete sadist.
All night long, he raped me over and over, using his hands, objects, anything he could find to violate me. My body was covered in bruises, bite marks, and worse.
When I woke up in the morning, I felt completely destroyed, like I could die at any moment.
But I still forced myself to get up, my hands and legs shaking as I showered, got dressed, and walked out of that room.
I had done everything for Lucien and Lorelei. This time, I finally earned my chance to escape.
So I couldn’t die. Once I got away from them, I’d find a new life.
With that determination, I slowly made my way out.
Lucien was probably at the hospital with Lorelei right now. I went back to the Castellan house, grabbed my things, and left for good.
Lucien hadn’t slept well in the hospital room. Even though he’d secured resources for Lorelei, he still felt uneasy.
Early in the morning, while Lorelei was still sleeping, he left the hospital and found himself heading toward last night’s hotel.
the way, he saw a flower shop selling bluebells. Remembering his broken promise, he stopped to y a bouquet.
He’d decided to take me house hunting today and stop making me work as a servant.
But when he arrived at last night’s room with flowers in hand, he only saw cleaning staff. There was no sign of me.
He grabbed a cleaner and asked, “Where’s the girl who was in this room?”
“I don’t know. There was nobody here when I arrived.”
Lucien was confused, thinking I must have been too exhausted and gone back to the house to rest.
He called the butler: “Harold, has Selene come back? I remember her contract’s almost up. Tell her
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we can revise the terms–she won’t have to follow every order anymore. Have her wait at home for the lawyer to draft a new contract.”
Harold’s voice was heavy with sorrow, but he spoke carefully: “Mr. Castellan, I’m afraid Miss Selene said she won’t be renewing her contract.”
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