Chapter 85 Helpless!
|| Author POV ||
At Morning
Rosa stood in front of the mirror, staring at the lifeless reflection that stared back. Her eyes, once soft and full of light, now looked dull and empty, hollowed by fear.
Her throat tightened as she swallowed the bitter memory of last night. She was glad he hadn’t gone too far.
She needed to escape.
Anywhere was better than this gilded prison with a monster who wore a man’s face.
Rosa’s bare feet padded across the cold floor and she approached the window. She had been caged for days now. Each hour stretched like an eternity, suffocating her from the inside out.
Rosa stared into the world she could no longer touch. Her eyes drifted to the garden below, the same garden she had once cared for, the little patch she had been nurturing.
Small blooms had begun to appear freely while she remained trapped in a nightmare.
All those beautiful memories with him flashed like cruel illusions before her eyes. Rosa couldn’t describe how happy she was and now she can’t describe how heartbroken she is.
Killian even snatched her phone.
Rosa got so lost in her world that she didn’t even notice when the door opened and the devil entered.
A sharp flinch escaped her when the strong tattooed arm suddenly wrapped around her fragile waist, pulling her back against the devil himself.
Her hands immediately flew to forearms and heart hammered violently in her chest.
“Seems like you’ve found your favorite view, rabbit?” Rosa’s fingers tightened on Killian’s skin when his cold, deep voice brushed against her ear. “This open window?”
Goosebumps erupted across her skin. No matter how terrified she was of him now, her body still reacted the same, betraying her.
“Feeling bored in your little cage?” Killian hissed near her ear while his fingers dug into her waist through the fabric.
“Mmph-” a soft gasp escaped her lips.
“You want to escape this cage?” His grip around her waist tightened possessively.
Rosa’s eyes remained fixed on the sky. His touch sent waves of fear through her. Her trembling fingers tapped against his skin in a weak attempt to push him away.
“Let’s give you a little freedom.” he muttered.
Without warning, his arm tightened around her waist, yanking her to his side. Rosa gasped out. Her entire body stiffened as he dragged her away from the window.
Her eyes widened with a flicker of hope when she saw him unlocking the door. Her heartbeat thundered in her chest.
“I can’t let my little student starve, can I?” he murmured darkly.
Her fingers clenched into the fabric of her dress at his words. Those simple words dragged her back into the past, the memories that once felt sweet now tasted bitter on her tongue.
He was her professor... or so she thought. Was he ever truly a professor? No!
Then what was his motive?
Though her body shook in his grip, her bare feet moved hesitantly across the marble floor. Rosa didn’t crave food, she craved escape.
The weight of his presence, the locked doors, the silent room, all alone, It was all suffocating her.
Rosa flinched when his arms finally left her. Looking up, she realized they had reached the dining area.
Rosa stood frozen while Killian sank into the chair with ease before tilting his head at her.
Rosa’s eyes darted to the main door with a flicker of desperate hope in them.
Killian’s cold gaze caught it instantly. A twisted smirk curled on his lips. “There’s no escape.” he said darkly. “Try, and I’ll break your little legs.”
Rosa flinched at his cold voice and stepped back with a pounding heart. She couldn’t even look at him.
Killian’s eyes dimmed. His sharp features grew even harsher. “Don’t try anything foolish.” he warned in a lethal voice “You know you can’t escape.”
His words struck her like a blow but she took another step back. Her instincts were telling her to run. Killian’s jaw flexed. His patience started thinning.
“Come here.” The command was absolute cold.
Rosa shook her head slowly, her eyes refusing to meet his. “I-I don’t wan-want to stay with a... kill-murd...criminal—” her voice trembled and the word stuck in her throat.
“There are guards outside. You know that, right?” Killian tilted his head with a twisted smirk playing on his lips. His voice deepened like a maniac.
“COME HERE!” His brutal growl shattered her thoughts, shaking her to the core.
Rosa knew, running wasn’t an option. The front gate was guarded and if he caught her, she didn’t even want to imagine what he’ll do. She just wishes he doesn’t cut her fingers.
Rosa’s eyes welled with tears as she stared down at the cold floor.
“Come here.” Killian said again, gentling his voice now but no less terrifying. Even his tenderness felt like a threat.
“If I stand up–” Killian stopped mid-sentence when Rosa took a trembling step toward him.
Killian watched her take hesitant, timid steps. A faint smirk curved his lips. She was too easy to control.
The fragile figure finally stood before him, keeping a wary distance. Her meek voice reached his ears, “Let me... go.” she paused “Pl-please.”
His eyes twitched at her plea. Without a word, his large hand shot out, wrapping around her tiny wrist.
“Ah—!” a soft squeak escaped Rosa’s lips as Killian yanked her between his legs.
A tear slipped down her cheek, her lavender eyes meeting his, shimmering with pain and fear. Another tear followed as the memory hit, this was the same position he’d pulled her into days ago, when she solved her math wrong.
But now... everything was different.
“Say that again!” His grip on her wrist tightened harshly, “Look at me. And say that again!” Rosa struggled, trying to pull her hand. Killian’s teeth grind together.
“I SAID LOOK AT ME!”
Rosa’s whole body jolted at his shout. She has never seen this side of him. Her teary eyes forced themselves to meet his and locked onto his gaze.
Her hand struggled weakly in his tight grip. Rosa felt lost in those eyes but not like before. Once, they had been endless blue oceans, where she saw her entire world. Now, all she saw was blood.
“Repeat it.” Killian demanded.
Rosa couldn’t bring herself to speak. She was drowning in pain, shattered inside. Even after everything, his betrayal, his lies, after knowing she was orphaned because of his father–he showed no regret. And it was breaking her.
He was no less than a monster!
Rosa weakly shook her head, unable to repeat his words or maybe too afraid of what he’d do if she did. Killian released his clenched teeth.
“Good girl.”
With a sudden jerk, he yanked Rosa onto his lap. Rosa straddled him slowly, trying to get up but his grip didn’t loosen. It was firm.
He pulled the bowl toward her. Her teary eyes landed on the smoothie bowl. Her fingers trembled.
“Sweet breakfast for my sweet one?” Killian murmured.
Rosa remembered the day before, again. Her eyes slowly shifted away. “I don’t wa–want to eat.” she mumbled fearfully, trying to move.
But Killian caught her wrist and forced her against him. Rosa whimpered helplessly. Her glistening eyes dropped to his lips, unable to look into his eyes.
“Why do I need to repeat myself twice?” His changed.
“Please.” Rosa whined again, turning her face away but his hand found her jaw, forcing her back.
“Eyes on me when I speak!” he hissed.
Rosa flinched again. A single tear fell and landed on his hand.
“You don’t get to say no.” his voice darkened. “You have no idea how hard I’m trying to stay in control. Don’t push me, little bunny.”
Killian raised his hand, Rosa tensed, bracing but instead, his finger traced her cheek. Her fingers clutched her dress tightly as he wiped her tear away with chilling gentleness.
Rosa’s eyes locked onto his piercing blues, her own gaze trembling. She didn’t recognize this man anymore.
“Eat.” he warned sharply, “or I’ll have to make you.”
The threat in his tone sent a chill through her. Rosa remembered too well how he’d fed her last time. He left her breathless. He always does.
Killian pressed a finger firmly against her waist. Her eyes dropped to the food. She was starving. Her body ached for it but her mind couldn’t accept it. Anxiety coiled inside her, making it hard to breathe. Rosa felt trapped. Suffocated.
She felt like a lifeless doll when Killian took her hands, guiding them to grab the spoon. He was controlling every piece of her like she was a robot. Every part of her wanted to scream, that she didn’t want his food, food soaked in blood but she had no choice.
Her eyes fell on his tattooed hands resting beside the bowl.
“Hurry up!” he snapped.
Another rough tug at her fragile waist made her flinch.
Rosa moved the spoon with trembling fingers, her chest rising and falling rapidly, consumed by anxiety.
Rosa’s tried to lift the spoon. Her breaths were shaky and uneven. A few helpless whimpers slipped past her lips. Just as the spoon neared her mouth, her grip faltered. The spoon slipped from her hand, clanking against the bowl.
Turning to him, her face crumpled with cries. “I don’t want to eat.” she mumbled with helplessness.
Killian stared at her coldly, watching the tears stream down her face. “Then I’ll have to do it my way.”