I did as my mother asked, containing my emotions and pretending as if nothing had happened. When I was finally allowed out of my room, I discovered that Victor wasn't around, so I decided to wait. I felt depressed and withdrawn, so I chose to stay indoors. The night Victor returned, it was clear that he intended to visit my room again. Everything seemed familiar, but it wasn't the same anymore.
As he slipped under the covers with me, attempting to draw me into his arms, I couldn't go along with it. I couldn't keep this from him any longer. "Hey," he whispered, pressing kisses on the back of my shoulders, igniting my body with desire for him. Tears welled up in my eyes, overwhelmed by the intensity of his urgent kisses. It was almost as if he had missed me. Turning in his arms, I cupped his jaw, unable to stop the tears streaming down my face. He looked down at me with a grin. "You miss me this much?" he rasped. I forced a smile, pressing my lips together.
"I miss you," I said. His grin widened, showcasing his handsome face. "Victor?"
"Hmm…" he mumbled, nibbling my earlobe and trailing kisses down my chest. I trembled, unable to resist him any longer.
"What would you say if I told you I might be pregnant?" I said, fear causing my heart to race as he raised his face to peer down at me. His eyes turned dark and icy. I swallowed hard.
"I would say I believe you're not that foolish, little one," he said, his voice thick with an unspoken threat. My mother's words echoed in my head.
"So, is this all we are? Just physical intimacy?" I quipped, attempting to mask the seriousness with a hint of mirth. He shrugged.
"Consider it a learning process until you find a man who will marry you. Just think of all the experience you'll have gained to keep him entertained," he said emotionlessly. My heart constricted as I realized that I had been dreaming of something that would never come true. Anger surged within me.
"Maybe that man will be Archer..." I said. He arched an eyebrow.
"Archer can't marry you, Jess.” He sounded amused.
"Why not? I'm beautiful and desirable," I said. He laughed, causing my heart to ache even more.
"Yes, you are, Jess. Desirable is what you are. But when the time comes, Archer will find a woman who is exactly like his mother..."
"Really? And what kind of woman is that?"
"Not a killer," he said. I growled and tried to push him off me, but he didn't budge. He grinned down at me with cold, lifeless eyes.
"Be content with who you are, Jessica. Overreach, and it would be quite a pity to see this beautiful face and body lifeless and rotting," he said, attempting to kiss me, but I bit him.
"Ooh..." he growled, as if my resistance had only fueled his desire. Pinning me down, he held my wrist above my head with one hand, skillfully tying it to the bed. He sat on his heels, and I struggled against his hold as he caressed my behind, lifting me up from the bed.
"Victor, no! I said no!" I repeated, desperation evident in my voice. He stroked his member against my opening, his other hand fondling my breasts. I couldn't help but feel desire for him, growing wet as he effortlessly slipped inside me. Within minutes, I was moaning and begging him to let me touch him. But he didn't release me. He made me climax more than once taking liberty with my entire body.
When he was finished, he leaned against me and kissed my lips while holding my gaze. "I enjoy being with you, Jessica, and until I don't, we will keep doing this. You have two choices: either enjoy it or don't. Either way, I will have you whenever and however I want."
He didn't release my wrist from the bed. He left me there, crying and begging, but he didn't waver. Some time later, he returned and took me from behind. Despite his cruelty, I found myself enjoying it. When he had made his point and finally released me, I straddled him like a desperate creature in heat, riding him as if my life depended on it. I was addicted to Victor, but now that I knew there was nothing here for me, I decided to play a few games. And I hated that my mother was right. I absolutely loath her for ruining my chances with Victor and killing our baby.
As I resumed my surveillance of Archer and his mysterious live-in nurse, my curiosity grew when I noticed even the enforcer was protecting her. This realization sparked a strong desire within me to uncover the identity of Archer's companion.
Mark, Archer's right-hand man and fierce protector, held an esteemed position that made him untouchable. He possessed a power bestowed upon him by Archer himself, a power reserved only for those of the same bloodline. Mark was the sole individual who fearlessly voiced his thoughts to Archer, and even Victor Donovan, the almighty, regarded him with caution. Mark had unrestricted access to every facet of Archer's life. However, he perpetually concealed his true self behind a mask, heightening the air of mystery surrounding him.
I had once witnessed Mark's relentless and detached nature when he subjected one of Archer's adversaries to torture. It was a brutal display, as if a malevolent demon had taken control of him. Many feared him as the masked enforcer. Yet, whenever he removed the mask, he appeared as any other person, a loyal friend to Archer.
I fantasized about winning over a man like Mark, just as Archer had done. Together, we would be an unstoppable force—a loyal and ruthless protector who would stand by my side until the bitter end.
Additionally, Mark's striking appearance surpassed even Archer's, with his refined features. His most captivating attribute was his eyes—aqua blue with a hint of green. His gaze seemed to penetrate one's soul, leaving me feeling uneasy. I always made an effort to avoid his intense stare. Moreover, the ever-present mocking smirk on his face added both annoyance and enchantment to his persona.
If I wasn't so consumed by my ambition to possess the Donovan dynasty, Mark would have been a worthy pursuit, despite his apparent lack of interest. After all, who could resist me? I exuded beauty and captivated all who beheld me.
However, Mark rebuffed my advances, prompting me to redirect my attention towards Adolf—the brute who dared challenge Victor Donovan. I sought to ascertain Adolf's significance and potential influence in usurping the Donovan dynasty. I devised plans to meet him, and it was during this pursuit that I discovered the identity of Archer's live-in nurse: Adele Rutherford—the enforcer's sister.