Chapter 106 He Always Just Takes
_Freedom. That's what I want. But he'll never give me that._
"No," I said softly, shaking my head. "I don't want anything."
Ethan's lips curved into something not quite a smile. His long finger pressed against my chest, right above my heart, pushing hard enough to make me inhale sharply.
"But I want what's in here," he said.
I looked up at the star-filled sky, feeling the weight of his finger like a brand against my skin. A small, humorless laugh escaped me.
"Ethan, is it because I've never loved you that you're so obsessed?" I asked. "Is that why you're so determined to keep me locked away?"
"Heh." His mouth twitched once, twice, before he let out a cold laugh. "Olivia, you truly have no heart."
Without another word, he turned around and started the car, not even bothering with his seatbelt. His foot slammed on the accelerator, and the sports car shot forward like a bullet, roaring down the mountain road.
"Jesus Christ!" I screamed, clutching the handle above the door. My heart hammered against my ribs as we careened around curves at terrifying speeds.
When we reached the peak, the car barely stopped before Ethan was on me, pinning me against the seat. His mouth found mine in a brutal kiss, teeth catching my lower lip hard enough to draw blood.
"If you won't give me your heart," he growled against my mouth, "then give me your body until I'm bored with it."
I stared up at the stars visible through the sunroof, feeling tears slide down my temples into my hair.
_Give or don't give – he never gave me a choice. He always just takes._
The night wind grew stronger, making the trees sway violently. The car rocked too, as if competing with the trees to see which could move more forcefully.
"Slower," I gasped, my voice honey-thick and unfamiliar even to my own ears. "Please... slower."
"Hmm," he chuckled darkly, biting my earlobe hard enough to make me whimper. "First fast, then slow – what do you really want, hm?"
That last syllable came with a hot breath against my ear that sent shivers down my spine.
I pressed my lips together, not answering. My hands gripped his arms, nails digging into his muscles, leaving red crescents in his skin. The pain didn't slow him; if anything, it made him more relentless.
"Ethan," I said, my voice trembling. "Stop... please stop..."
His eyes were black pools in the darkness, his voice rough like gravel: "I can't stop."
I could only stare at the stars as they blurred and swam in my vision, finally exploding like fireworks behind my eyes. My slender neck arched back, mouth open in a silent cry as waves of unwanted pleasure crashed through me.
When I came back to myself, Ethan was breathing heavily against my neck. Before I could recover, I felt him stirring again, ready for more.
_Oh God, not again._
Then, like divine intervention, his phone rang.
"Boss, Blake passed out."
"Splash water on him."
"Yes, sir," came the terse reply.
"If water doesn't work," Ethan added, "use electric shock."
After hanging up, I gathered my courage and asked, "Could you... could you let him go?"
Seeing his expression darken, I rushed to explain: "I'm not speaking up for him or begging for his sake. I'm doing this for me, for you—for us."
One dark eyebrow arched as his mouth twisted into a sardonic smile. "Oh? For us? How exactly is this for us? Enlighten me."
I tried to keep my voice steady and sincere: "He's your nephew, your brother's only son. And your brother is gone now."
"If you cripple him, your father, your grandfather—your whole family will hate me even more. You always say you want me by your side forever, but actions like this put me in the crosshairs. How can I stay with you if everyone hates me?"
Ethan nodded slowly. "That's quite logical." Then his voice cooled several degrees. "But are you really pleading for our sake, or for his?"
His gaze pierced me like a blade, as if trying to cut through my skin to reveal the truth beneath.
I met his eyes without flinching, my voice deliberately soft. "Of course it's for us."
The corner of Ethan's mouth lifted in a dangerous smile. "And how am I supposed to believe that?"
"My body is already yours," I said urgently. "What more proof do you need?"
Ethan cupped my face, his thumb brushing my swollen lower lip. "Olivia, I'm a businessman. Business requires contracts, not empty promises. Unless you're willing to give me a chil—"
"So that's it," I cut him off, bitterness seeping into my voice. "In your eyes, we're just a business transaction."
I laughed humorlessly. "Then all those promises—the tutors, buying schools and companies for me—those were just empty words too."
"That's not what I—"
"Don't bother explaining," I interrupted again. "You've never seen me as a girlfriend, Ethan. I'm just a toy you can't fully conquer. You're too arrogant—you're used to getting whatever you want, and since I haven't given you everything, you're desperate to make me submit, to demonstrate your power and—"
"Enough." His voice sliced through mine, cold as ice and twice as hard. His eyes flashed with something dangerous, jaw clenching and unclenching.
He ran his tongue along his teeth, voice frigid when he finally spoke. "If you weren't pleading for him, I might have let him go."
I heard the threat in his words and smiled faintly. "Do whatever you want. He's your nephew, not mine. Beat him to death for all I care."
The engine roared to life, and we shot down the mountain like lightning.
Back at the hotel, I made a beeline for the bathroom. Just as I was about to close the door, Ethan forced his way in. Despite my resistance, he pinned me against the wall.
I bit him and hit him, fighting with everything I had. "Ethan, let me go!"
He held my waist in an iron grip, fingers digging painfully into my flesh. His lips brushed my ear, voice low and menacing: "Have my child, and I'll spare him."
I found the demand so absurd I actually laughed. "Why are you so obsessed with having a child?" I asked, then added, "If you want kids so badly, get married. You're certainly old enough. Once you're married, you can have as many children as you want."
Ethan laughed bitterly, biting my earlobe. His breath was hot against my skin. "Are you really this naive, or are you just pretending not to understand?"
"I genuinely don't understand," I replied firmly.
_Why is he so fixated on me having his child? Just to trap me? But why? Is it love? I don't believe it's love. If it were love, why would he treat me this way?_
"Olivia." His arm tightened around my waist as he kissed my ear, my cheek. He pressed his forehead against mine, voice dropping to a husky whisper. "Have my child. Please."
I turned my face away, expression defiant: "And if I refuse?"