Chapter 4

Fiona POV

Winona didn't believe me.

Seeing my pale face and trembling body, the smile on her lips deepened.

"I don't trust verbal promises."

She said.

"I need to help you along-make sure you leave more permanently."

She walked toward the nearby stables and led out two docile horses.

"Let's go riding. Consider it clearing our heads."

I couldn't refuse.

In his world, I had to obey her every request.

We rode the horses slowly across the lawn.

Winona controlled her horse, approaching me at a measured pace.

When the two horses were side by side, she suddenly let out a short scream and her body lurched sideways, tumbling from the saddle.

Everything happened too fast.

I'd just tightened the reins when she was already rolling on the ground, moaning in pain.

Her horse hadn't even been startled.

Luca, who'd been on the terrace taking a call, heard the sound and whipped around.

He rushed over and scooped Winona into his arms.

"I was so scared..."

Winona weakly clutched his sleeve, tears immediately streaming down her face.

"Her horse suddenly spooked and bumped into me."

As she spoke, she glanced at me.

"It's not her fault. She definitely didn't mean to..."

"Can't you tolerate her at all?"

Luca's voice was cold as ice.

It wasn't me. She fell off by herself.

But would he believe me?

I looked at Winona cradled in his arms, then at his furious face. I couldn't say a word.

"You haven't learned your lesson at all. You really disgust me."

He said coldly as he passed me.

"Wait for me at home."

The black sedan sped away, leaving me alone at the empty polo grounds.

I dismounted and slowly led the horse back.

The pain in my chest had already gone numb.

"I really... don't have feelings for you anymore..."

I said softly, my voice so quiet only I could hear it.

Night fell.

I didn't return to my room. I sat alone on the living room sofa, waiting.

The first lesson I learned in that place was: Don't make excuses. Don't beg for mercy.

The only choice was to accept quietly.

At midnight, Luca pushed through the door.

He saw me sitting quietly and paused for a moment.

"Kneel."

He commanded.

I slid off the sofa and knelt on the cold floor.

He took a black riding crop from the wall.

"Why did you spook Winona's horse?"

I kept my head down and said nothing.

The whip struck my back, searing hot.

"Why do you insist on having feelings for me?"

Another lash.

"Why are you so shameless?"

Another lash.

I bit my lip, neither crying nor screaming. Not until the housekeeper Emma rushed out to stop him.

"Sir! Stop! The floor is covered in blood!"

Only then did he stop. He crouched down and gripped my chin.

"Why aren't you crying out in pain?"

My lips were already bitten through.

"Because..."

My voice was hoarse.

"It doesn't hurt."

He didn't believe me and roughly tore open the back of my clothes.

His pupils contracted sharply.