Chapter 5

Scarlett's POV

As I stood there lost in my thoughts, Chloe squeezed my hand tightly, acting like a loving sister.

"Scarlett, stop fighting with your dad. He hasn't eaten since you ran away. He's lost so much weight." Chloe looked at me with puppy-dog eyes. "Even if you're angry, you shouldn't sleep around or stay at cheap motels. Come home with me, apologize to him, okay?"

Looking at her face, which resembled Winona's, my stomach turned.

I shoved her hand off me. "You're a nobody who has zero Vance blood. My fights with my father are none of your business. Why are you acting like you own me?"

Chloe gasped, her eyes immediately welling up with tears. She looked at Tristan as if she had been physically assaulted.

Tristan frowned, set his wine glass down, and walked over.

"Chloe is only trying to mend your relationship with your father," he said, his voice deep and stern. "Even if you don't appreciate it, you don't need to attack her."

He paused, his voice leaving no room for argument. "Apologize to Chloe."

He wanted me to apologize to her?

My heart twisted.

I looked up at him, letting out a mocking laugh. "Who do you think you are, Tristan? Just because you tell me to do something, you think I'm going to obey like a dog?"

Tristan's frown deepened. The annoyance in his eyes was clear.

Ever since he took me in to "teach me rules," I had never dared to openly defy him like this.

Chloe quickly grabbed Tristan's arm, playing the martyr. "It's fine, Tristan. Scarlett hates me and my mom. It's natural she'd say mean things. I shouldn't have interfered. I really have no right."

I sneered. "At least you know your place."

I turned on my heel and walked out.

I found the other suite where my actual acquaintances were drinking.

"Hey! Scarlett's here!" someone yelled. "We thought you went off the grid!"

I grabbed a shot of tequila and slammed it down, staying silent.

But within ten minutes, the heavy oak door was kicked open.

Tristan stood at the entrance, radiating pure, suffocating anger.

He swept his cold eyes over the room. "Get the hell out. Now."

Seeing his face, my friends didn't even dare to grab their coats. They scrambled out of the room like rats.

The door slammed shut.

Tristan loosened his tie as he walked toward me.

Sensing danger, I shrank back into the sofa. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Making love to you," he said flatly.

I froze.

I couldn't believe this sophisticated, refined man had just said something so crude.

Before I could recover, Tristan was towering over me.

I tried to slide away, but he pinned me down into the leather cushions.

Using his silk tie, he bound my wrists together in a tight knot and pinned them above my head.

"Let me go!" I thrashed wildly. "Tristan, you're a bastard!"

He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him. "Have I spoiled you too much lately? Is that why you think you can disrespect my words?"

I knew he was talking about Chloe.

"Chloe's mother is a disgusting whore, and so is she! Why should I apologize to a parasite?" I spat.

Tristan's face turned lethal.

"It seems I haven't disciplined you enough. You still don't know your place." He slid his hand up my thigh, lifting my dress. "Let me remind you tonight."

I stared at him in horror. "Stop! Don't touch me!"

Tristan let out a dark chuckle. "It's not like this is our first time, Scarlett. Why are you playing the virgin?"

He leaned down, his warm breath sending chills down my neck. "Have you forgotten how loud you scream my name under me?"

My face went completely white.

The humiliation was overwhelming.

Before, when we made love, I thought he cared about me, so I gave him everything.

But now, he was using those intimate moments to degrade me.

I glared at him with pure hatred. "Chloe is right next door. If you touch me here, aren't you afraid she'll walk in and see?"

Tristan's eyes were pitch-black. "That is none of your concern."

With that, he took me brutally.

A tear slipped down my cheek as a sob tore from my throat.

"You're a monster, Tristan! You're a disgusting piece of trash!" I fought against the restraints, kicking and screaming. "Get off me! Don't touch me!"

But the more I fought, the more ruthless his movements became.