I woke up, the weight of last night momentarily forgotten. The bed beneath me was unbelievably soft, like sinking into a cloud. Moments later, maids entered with trays of the most delicious breakfast I'd ever seen—fluffy pancakes, fresh fruit, warm croissants, and rich coffee. They even brought me a set of new clothes.
The wardrobe was filled with choices—ranging from outfits that could cover me completely to complete revealing outfits, ones that left very little to the imagination.
Suddenly, another maid entered, holding a bouquet of fresh flowers. Tucked within them was a handwritten letter.
> "Erica,
I mean you no harm. I deeply apologize for what happened. I know what I did was absolutely wrong, and I will do everything I can to make it right.
Please meet me in the library. I'll be waiting.
—With hope,
Walter."
I was totally confused by this man's behavior one second he is a beast that would have tored me apart the next second he is prince that I have always dreamed off.
I glanced at the maid. "And what if I don't want to meet him?"
She hesitated, then replied softly, "Then, ma'am, he will come to you. He hates hearing 'no.'"
My mind screamed caution, but my heart didn't care about right or wrong anymore. Without a word, I started to dress.
Despite everything that happened last night, I had the audacity to wear the most revealing outfit in the wardrobe. My outfit only cover my tits rest all was free show.
A maid accompanied me, guiding me through the endless corridors of the grand estate. Eventually, we stopped in front of a breathtakingly large and ornate door.
"Ma'am, this is the library. You may go in."
I nodded silently. The moment I stepped inside, I gasped.
It was magnificent—just like the library from Beauty and the Beast. Towering shelves lined the walls, packed with countless books. Sunlight streamed through high windows, casting a golden glow across the room.
My eyes landed on a familiar spine—my favorite book. I rushed toward it, completely absorbed, when I heard the creak of the door behind me.
Someone had entered.
Of course, it was Walter.
To my surprise, he looked... different. Dressed simply in a T-shirt and shorts, he looked more human than ever. The predator from last night had vanished.
"Well, hello, Erica. I hoped you slept well last night," he said, his voice low and casual like he owned the room.
I met his gaze without flinching, as if I'd been through worse.
"How dare you touch me without my permission." I stepped forward and slapped him hard across the face. He didn't even flinch. Calm. Like he'd been expecting it.
"You can slap me as much as you want, Miss Erica," he said quietly, voice like silk wrapped in steel. "Maybe I deserve every bit of it. But listen carefully—more than what happened yesterday, I wasn't even planning on going further. Not once."
I narrowed my eyes. "I don't care about your intentions… if it happens again—"
"Then you can kill me," he cut in sharply, and before I could react, he dropped to his knees. His dark eyes locked on mine, burning with something fierce, raw, and unyielding. "I know I've hurt you—more than you'll ever admit—but I'm asking you... forgive me."
My heart stuttered, a cold weight settling deep inside. This wasn't a desperate man begging—it was a king acknowledging his wrong.
"Walter, get up... I..." I couldn't find the words. His presence swallowed the room whole.
He stayed on his knees, silent, but his eyes never left mine. Slowly, as if compelled by some force I didn't understand, I reached out, took his hand, and helped him to his feet. The space between us crackled electric—dangerous, charged.
For the first time, we were close in a way neither of us expected.
"Okay," I said quietly, still trying to steady my racing heart. "I forgive you. But you need to drop me at my home."
He let out a low, amused chuckle. "That, I can't do." His smirk was infuriating.
"I promise this—never again will I touch you without your permission. But that doesn't mean I'm letting you walk away."
"What the literal fuck..." I breathed, stunned by his control.
He stepped closer, towering, his presence suffocating. "Let me be clear. I'm not holding you here for pleasure or power over you—not in that way. Ezel has to sign certain papers on the board to secure his vote for us. There's no way he would do it without you in the equation. That's why you're here. Yesterday... I let all my frustration fall on you. That's my fault, not yours."
I clenched my fists, anger boiling up. "You think I'm an object?"
"No," he said softly, eyes never leaving mine. "You're far more valuable than that—to a lot of people. I have nothing against you personally. I just need what I need to win."
"Does Ezel know about this?" I asked, voice sharp.
"He does," Walter replied, calm and unshaken. "And he knows I'm not the kind of man to harm you. He's trying to negotiate, but I don't think you're going anywhere for at least a week. So it's better for all of us if you keep your fists down and your head clear."
My mind was spinning, caught between fury and something darker, something I couldn't name.
"By the way, be ready for a flight at ten," he said suddenly.
"Wait—where?" I asked.
"France," he said, his voice like a knife. "It's too dangerous here while Ezel is hunting for you."