Chapter 31
Ella's POV
Stella's gaze landed on me, a mocking smile playing at the corners of her mouth as she spoke slowly, "Little bitch, you think I can't see through your petty schemes? Trying to use Princess Fiona to escape from here?"
My heart plummeted.
Her words poured over me like ice water. I wanted to defend myself, but my throat felt blocked, unable to produce a single word.
Victoria walked over, looking down at me with contempt in her eyes. "Mother, I've said it before—slaves like this need to learn their lessons the hard way. They never remember."
Humiliation washed over me like a tide as I clenched my jaw.
Kane's blue eyes burned with fury, making me instinctively want to retreat. He walked toward me step by step.
"Let me handle this myself," his voice was low and dangerous. "A slave who doesn't know her place and harbors treacherous thoughts does need proper discipline."
Stella laughed lightly, her voice tinged with mockery. "The mighty Lord of the West Wing, dealing with one unruly Omega—don't you dare go easy on her! I don't want to see her still standing in the West Wing tomorrow."
She linked arms with Victoria, preparing to leave.
But Victoria paused, looking back at me with a malicious smile. "Mother, I'd like to stay and watch. After all, such a spectacular scene doesn't come often."
Stella waved her hand dramatically. "I don't want my grandson's prenatal education to be a slave's wailing." She paused deliberately. "How about we give him some music instead? Victoria, let's go. Don't waste time here."
The two women's footsteps gradually faded, and the door slammed shut.
Kane and I were alone in the room, the air seeming to solidify around us.
Suddenly, Kane lunged forward, grabbing my throat and slamming me against the wall. His strength was terrifying—I could barely breathe, only managing broken gasps.
"How dare you?" His voice rang in my ears with incredulous fury. "Trying to use Fiona to escape my control? You think you can get away?"
My face flushed red from lack of oxygen, tears streaming uncontrollably. I tried to pry his fingers away, but it was futile. Kane's grip was like an iron vice around my throat, as if he meant to strangle me.
"I... here..." I forced out a few words with difficulty. "All I have... is pain... nothing but pain..."
My voice was hoarse and broken, tears sliding down my cheeks. "Kane... please... for the sake of what we once had... let me go... I won't appear before you again... I swear..."
His grip loosened slightly, but the fury in his eyes remained undiminished.
He leaned close, his nose almost touching my cheek, his voice carrying dangerous accusation. "Let you go? So you can use your body to please Julian?"
His other hand roughly grabbed my wrist, pinning my hand against the wall. "Where did he touch you just now? Your chest?"
I shook my head frantically, the humiliation nearly suffocating me. Kane's eyes grew wilder, and he suddenly pulled me into a tight embrace, imprisoning my entire body in his arms. His breath fell on my neck, heavy with suppressed emotion. "Now, please me, and I'll let you go. Don't force me to use harsher methods."
"No..." I struggled, trying to push him away.
His hands began tearing at my clothes. I screamed in terror.
At the moment he was about to succeed, I lost control.
I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face.
The sharp crack echoed through the room. Kane froze, covering his face, staring at me in disbelief.
"I will never be your tool for release again!" My voice was hoarse but resolute, tears falling like broken pearls. "Unless you kill me!"
I looked into his eyes and saw a bewilderment I'd never seen before. He just stood there, his hand still suspended in mid-air, as if he didn't know how to react.
After a long moment, he smiled bitterly, the expression full of deep self-mockery. "Fine, fine, fine... You'd rather give yourself to Julian than serve me." His voice couldn't hide the pain. "What's so good about Julian?"
I wiped the tears from my face, my voice trembling but firm. "At least he won't rape me like some out-of-control beast."
Just then, a timid knock came from outside the door.
Ruby's voice carried fear and worry. "Your Highness... Ella has been gone for quite some time. I came to ask... is she alright?"
I looked at Kane and laughed sardonically. "See? The great Lord of the West Wing has less understanding of compassion than a mere servant."
Kane's eyes bore into me, filled with anger, pain, and something else I couldn't identify. He asked, word by word, "You truly refuse to serve me?"
"I'd rather die." My voice was so firm it surprised even me.
Kane took a deep breath and suddenly released me. He stepped back, straightening his clothes, his face returning to that cold expression. "She's just a woman, just a bed warmer. You really think I can't do without you?"
He turned toward the door. The moment he pushed it open, he saw Ruby standing outside.
Ruby kept her head lowered, her body trembling slightly, clearly frightened by the commotion inside.
Kane suddenly stopped. He looked at Ruby, a cruel smile curving his lips. "Tonight, I'll take you to my bed."
"No!" I rushed forward, trying to grab him, but he shoved me away.
I fell to the floor, watching helplessly as he seized Ruby's wrist and dragged her away.
Ruby looked back at me, her eyes full of fear and despair. I struggled to stand, to stop this, but my legs were too weak.
"Kane!" I called out hoarsely. "Let her go! Whatever it is, come at me alone!"
But he left without looking back, leaving me alone, collapsed on the floor, pounding the ground helplessly.
I had failed.
I couldn't protect myself, and I couldn't protect Ruby either.