Facade of Love

| bit my lip and gave him a puzzled look. "You're takingaway from Lake City?" His silence and lips pressed together served as a clear affirmation.

"Why?" He was cool as ice, no hint of feeling. "I chere to make you miserable. | wanted to drag it out, but Idris threw a wrench in my plans. So, I'm taking you with me. Idris is head over heels for you, right? Let's see how he likes it when you're someone else's. He can pine all he wants, it adds to the fun. As for you? Once we're at the border, I've got a whole playbook for making you wish you were anywhere but there." Squinting, | was not sure | bought it. "So, if I go with you, you'll leave Idris alone?" He played with his fingers, looking down, his voice cool and detached. "Sure, | wouldn't mind if we all went down together. But Yvette, do you really want to drag them down with you?" "Them?" His eyes met mine, a teasing glint in his handsface. "If | ever get trapped in Lake City, trust me, I'll take your family, friends, and lover down withwithout a second thought." | believed him. He was crazy enough to do it.

Woukd he let everyone else go if | just went with him? It seemed as though Idris and the cops were on his tail, and he was aware that he was a goner if he could not escape Lake City.

| was not sure what his gwas, but | had a hunch about what he wanted. Without overthinking it, I said, "Okay, I'll talk to Idris, clear things up, and then I'm yours." He smirked, his dark eyes narrowing. "Smart move." | did not dwell on his words. All | knew was that if | stayed in this pitch-black room any longer, | would lose my mind.

Having spent days in the dark room, when | finally left, the world outside made my head spin. Cotton and Candy had put on weight, and as | emerged, they snuggled against my legs, their softness snappingback to reality.

The villa was crawling with more people than before. No surprise there as Lucas had the cops and Idris breathing down his neck, so he had beefed up security.

Lucas shovedinto a room, and | grabbed the door he was about to shut, my brow furrowed. "Were not you going to letsee Idris? Why are you still trying to lockup?" He caught the nervous twitch in my step and paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. The look of pure distaste replaced the surprise in a flash. "Yvette, | told you to shower and get into sclean clothes. Have you not noticed you are practically reeking?" he said.

I was struck dumb for a second. Yeah, after being tied up in that dark room for days on end, personal hygiene was the last thing on my mind. | was just grateful to be breathing; who cared about a little grime? His look of scorn did not faze me. | shot him a frosty look and slammed the door shut. He tried to stop it, his eyes narrowing through the gap as he warned, "Don't even think about pulling any stunts." With a loud thud, | dismissed his words as if they were nothing. This was his domain, and | was not foolish enough to think | could escape, especially since he had the fate of Idris in his grip.

The old year had slipped away, and with the coming of spring, the chill in the air was starting to thaw. Fresh from the shower, | stepped out to find Lucas perched on the edge of the bed. He glanced up at the sound ofmoving.

Our gazes locked, and | could not help but wrinkle my nose in disgust. "Really, Lucas? Spying oneven in the shower? Aren't you a little sick of yourself?" | snapped.

He tossed sclothes at me, his expression growing stormy. "You flatter yourself. Get dressed. I'll be waiting outside," he growled before stalking out.

| did not bother with a reply, but the sight of the intimate clothes laid out on the bed made my skin crawl. Did he pick these out for me? Biting back the revulsion, I slipped into the clean outfit and stepped out of the room. He was there, fiddling with a small box. As | approached, he handed it to me. "Wear this," he commanded.

Inside was a pink diamond ring. | frowned, my response immediate and firm. "No thanks." He did not even letget a word in edgewise before he jammed the ring onto my right ring finger. | tried to yank it off; however, he shota frosty warning, "Yvette, did you forget what | told you?" | was seething, glaring at him as | snapped, "I said | would go with you, but that was it. Nothing more." What was with him and this random ring? Was he out of his mind? He gave a cold snort and laid it out, "You think you're in any position to make demands?" Indeed, | had forgotten. | was the one backed into a corner now.

Staring at that obnoxious ring, | took a deep breath, gave up the struggle, and shut down.

He seemed pleased with my silence and tuggeddownstairs.

It felt like ages since | had seen the outside world—the endless sky, the biting wind, the dead branches, and the swarm of people. Sitting in the car, taking it all in, it was like | had stepped into another lifetime.

"Make the call." Suddenly, there was a phone in front of me—mine.

| knew what Lucas was up to. | grabbed the phone and dialed Idris. The moment it rang, he picked up, "Yvette, is that you? Where are you?"