I was dancing — full of freedom, full of joy.
Caleb finished his cigarette and came out to me.
I could barely breathe.
God… he’s so hot.
“Baby.”
“Hi.”
I swallowed.
“Do you know how to dance?”
“A little.”
Caleb took me by the waist and led me.
I started moving awkwardly.
“Easy, baby… easy.”
He guided me carefully.
I started catching the rhythm.
“See, baby… it’s not that hard.”
He kept whispering in my ear.
The last thing I wanted was to dance…
But Caleb — that bastard — wanted the game.
He started leading harder. More confident.
My breathing got faster.
My thoughts started slipping away.
“Please, Caleb…”
He extended his arm —
and I stretched into him.
He pulled me right back into him.
God… where did he learn to dance like that?
“Baby…” he whispered in my ear.
“God… Caleb, please…”
He pulled me closer.
I felt the darkness taking over.
“Caleb…”
“Quiet.”
His grip on my waist tightened.
I froze.
He led even harder.
“You’re losing the step.”
“Sorry…”
He pushed the pace faster.
I got completely lost.
“You stepped on my foot.”
“God, I’m sorry…”
He started spinning me.
My head started spinning.
He yanked me back into place.
“You need to do better.”
I froze.
“Caleb… you’re so rough…”
My eyes filled with tears.
I tried to pull away.
Caleb locked me in — I couldn’t move.
“Caleb…”
“Quiet.”
“Caleb… I… please stop…”
He kissed me softly.
“Sorry, my angel… you drive me insane.”
I swallowed.
He dragged me with him into the corridor.
I started backing away.
God…
I got scared.
“Caleb, stop… I’m scared of you.”
He drove me into the wall.
“Kitten.”
“Caleb, stop…”
He kissed me.
“Sorry, my angel… it’s hard to hold myself back when you’re near.”
“But why be rough with me…”
I stiffened. My brown eyes filled with tears again.
Caleb dropped to his knees.
“My angel… I’m sorry… I’m sorry, please…”
“Caleb!”
“I’m sorry… please…”
I smiled.
“Okay.”
Something shifted in him again.
I swallowed.
“You hear me?”
Caleb shook his head.
“For now… yes.”
“Oh God, Caleb…”
He laughed.
“Baby, it’s not my fault. It’s your spell.”
“What?”
Caleb picked me up and carried me into the restroom.
“So…”
He grabbed the hem of my dress and pulled it down.
One strap.
The other.
He pulled my bra off right after.
At the sight of my breasts, he completely lost it.
He grabbed my jaw.
“Caleb…”
“Sorry… sorry…”
His hands were shaking.
I softened.
“What do you want to do?”
“I need to let him out, baby.”
I smiled.
“Just no cruelty, Caleb.”
“As you wish.”
And he drove me into the wall.
I gasped.
Caleb tore my underwear off and bit my neck hard.
“Ah—
Damn, Caleb…”
He grabbed my jaw.
“Quiet.”
“But Caleb—”
“I said quiet.”
I could barely breathe.
He pushed his fingers inside me.
I started losing myself to the desire.
“Caleb…”
“Baby…”
“Oh— wait…”
“Ah… oh… Caleb…”
I folded in on myself.
He pressed me against the wall with his full body.
I was afraid to breathe.
God… this man is insane.
“Baby…”
“Oh… God… Caleb…”
“Kitten.”
“Mm?”
“Baby…”
He kissed me and I felt drunk.
“God, Caleb…”
He pressed gently on my shoulders.
And I sank to my knees.
I kissed his torso slowly.
My hands slid around his back
and down to his ass.
Caleb threw his head back.
I ran my tongue over him.
His hands started shaking again.
I understood — he was holding the beast.
I stood up and kissed his neck.
“Tell me… what do you want?”
He slammed me into the wall.
Then stepped back.
“Sorry.”
I smiled.
“Caleb, what do you want?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“Baby, I’m not against it. Just guide me, okay?”
He pressed me into the wall.
And pushed two fingers inside me.
I started moaning.
“Caleb…”
“Baby…”
His breathing was heavy with desire.
“My kitten…”
“If I can ask you…”
I swallowed.
“Baby… are you really not against it?”
I bent forward.
“Oh God… Caleb… I can’t even talk…”
“Oh God… oh— oh— oh…”
He pulled his fingers out.
I tried to catch my breath.
My chest rose and fell.
My nipples hardened.
In front of me — Caleb. So beautiful. So wild.
God… how can I refuse him?
“Caleb…”
I sank to my knees.
“What should I do?”
“Lick him.”
“Okay.”
I licked him, then slowly moved to the head.
Caleb started moaning.
His moans made me want to die and be reborn.
“Bite.”
I pressed my lips
and touched him with my chest.
“Baby…”
“What?”
“You’re not against it?”
“Uh… well…”
He grabbed my hair and pushed himself into my mouth.
“I need you deeper, baby.”
He pushed himself deeper.
I pulled back.
“I’m not against it.”
Caleb lost control.
He pulled me up
and slammed me into the wall again.
“Oh my God, Caleb…”
He slammed his fist into the wall.
I trembled.
“Damn… you drive me insane…”
“I could tear you apart…”
I fixed my hair.
“Okay…
let’s try again.”
“Baby, what do you want?”
“I need to grab you and spank you.”
“Okay.”
He took off his belt.
Turned me around.
I could barely breathe.
The belt hit my ass.
I flinched.
“Don’t move.”
“But Caleb—”
“Quiet.”
“Oh God…”
He hit me again.
And again.
And my darkness started waking up.
I swallowed.
Again.
And again.
I threw my head back.
“Harder.”
Caleb froze.
I bit my lip.
“Harder.”
He hit again.
And again.
I turned around.
Caleb pressed me into the wall.
Grabbed my jaw.
“What are you… a slut?”
“Not even the word.”
I spat in his face.
He slapped me.
I spat again.
And kicked him.
My heel sliced into him.
He was shaking with pleasure.
“Bastard.”
“Me? A bastard? No wonder your ex keeps choosing me over you.”
“You asshole.”
I hit him again.
Caleb clenched his fists.
“On your knees.”
He dropped.
“Don’t you dare talk back to me, boy.”
I slapped him.
Then again.
His fists clenched — shaking again.
I dropped to my knees.
“My love…”
He grabbed my jaw
and slammed me to the floor.
“Damn slut.”
I smiled.
“You chose this.”
“Damn right.”
He smirked.
And pressed his full weight on me.
I could barely breathe.
He froze.
“Do you love him?”
I froze.
“Who?”
“Nate.”
I smiled.
“I love you.”
He pulled away.
Took the belt again.
“Do you love him or not?”
“I said I love you.”
He grabbed my jaw.
“Answer me.”
“No.”
“Are you lying?”
He suddenly softened.
“No.”
Caleb kissed me.
I smiled.
“You’re insane.”
“You’re sick, Caleb.”
“This is your fault.”
I smirked.
“Before you, I wasn’t like this.”
“You drive me insane.”
“You’re a witch.”
“Mm.”
He kissed me again.
And again.
“Caleb…”
“I’m tired, my love.”
He looked at my lips, ran his fingers over them — and raised his hand.
I stopped him.
“This is not a game anymore.”
“I’m tired.”
Caleb shook his head, trying to come back.
He cupped my face in his hands.
“My angel…”
“I’m worried… are you really not against it?”
I shook my head.
“No, my love.”
“Kitten… did it hurt?”
“Well…”
I laughed.
“If next time we skip the slaps, I’d like it more.”
He dropped to his knees instantly.
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”
“Caleb, stop.”
“Baby, I’m worried…”
I ran my fingers through his hair.
“My love… you need to understand something.”
He kept repeating:
“I’m sorry, kitten… I’m not worthy of you…
I’m not worthy of you…”
“Caleb!
Caleb!”
He finally came back.
“Look at me, my love.”
“Caleb, do you hear me? Are you here? With me?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“My love… I don’t need a good boy. I love you.”
“Really?”
“Yes. It’s true. I love your darkness. I love your growl. I’m begging you — don’t shake. Look at me. I can hold your power.”
“My love, don’t be ashamed of your strength.
Your growl.
Your power.
I love it.”
Caleb cracked.
While he was still here… still present… I decided to continue.
“Caleb… my love… I’m crazy about you.
With millions or without them — it doesn’t matter.
I love you so much.”
We were sitting on the floor.
I was looking into his eyes.
“Do you understand, my love?
I just… love you.”
Caleb broke down.
“Baby… I don’t believe it…”
“Of course you don’t.”
I clenched my fists.
That piece of shit — his father — that disgusting bastard wired all of this into him.
That sick man… his father…
“Baby…”
I shook my head.
“My love, listen… I don’t know how to prove it.
But I love you. I don’t want to change you.
Well… maybe smooth out a few things…”
I shrugged.
“But overall…
my love, I’m crazy about you.
I’m crazy about you.”
“Caleb…”
“Do you hear me, my love?”
Caleb broke down like a little boy —
and I realized the trauma was surfacing.
This was getting complicated.
I didn’t want to become a mother figure for him.
We needed Jess.
I looked down at myself.
God… everything was torn.
Ripped apart.
…Right.
She loves me. She’ll understand.
Caleb wasn’t there anymore.
He was in a child state.
A boy.
Not a man.
“This is bad,” Hades muttered.
“No kidding.”
The phone rang.
Again.
“Hi, baby.”
“Jess… hi… listen, there’s…
I mean… Caleb… you’re— damn—
sorry…”
I exhaled.
“We need you. Please. Can you come?”
“Of course, baby.”
“Good.”
I looked at Caleb.
“Hold on, my love. She’s coming.
Michael will bring her fast.”
Caleb curled in on himself, crying.
My heart sank.
My poor love…
I pulled myself together.
I’ll kill his father… that filthy bastard…
Time was crawling.
God… where are they…
I called Michael.
“Miss.”
“Where the hell are you?!”
“Miss—”
There was a knock.
I opened the door.
Jess walked in.
I snapped at Michael:
“Bring my spare clothes from the trunk.”
He froze.
“Move!”
I covered my breasts with my hand.
“Jess…”
She already understood.
She sat down and pulled Caleb onto her lap,
gently stroking his hair.
She started singing to him.
And I dropped into a trance.
Oh no… not now… not now…
But spirits don’t care.
I saw Caleb’s childhood.
Damn… damn…
His father — drunk — fighting someone invisible.
Maybe imagined.
Maybe something was wrong with him.
Then — his father’s childhood.
And something clicked.
I understood.
The spirits gave a warning.
But I am who I am.
I pulled myself together.
Michael handed me the clothes.
“Listen to me carefully.
Lock down security on both of them.
Jess and Caleb — full protection.
Five men each.
Understood?”
“Yes, Miss.”
“You’re coming with me.”
“As you say, Miss.”
“Jack and Nick are at the exit.
Nick — talk to the owner.
Shut everything down.
Clear everyone out.
No one gets near them until he stabilizes.
No one touches them.
He gets paid only after it’s done. Not before.”
He nodded.
“Understood, Miss.”
“Michael.”
“Miss.”
“How many men do you have right now?”
“Just me and Jack, Miss.”
“We need more men.
Call in more. And get a couple of shepherds.”
“Understood, Miss.”
“Move. Now.”

Caleb’s house.
I stormed in like a fury.
Caleb’s father was in the living room.
Drunk.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
He smirked.
“The bitch is back.”
“Figures. You piece of shit.”
I swallowed.
And opened my coat.
Underneath — a silk set and stockings.
Caleb’s father froze for a moment… then smiled.
“Now that’s more like it.”
I pulled out a telescopic baton.
“Come on, you bastard. Come here.”
“What are you doing? Don’t provoke him!” — Hades nervously bit his nails.
I exhaled.
“If I shook every time a man decided to rape me, I wouldn’t have made it past twenty.”
“Damn… that’s power.” — Mushu ate popcorn.
I swallowed.
Caleb’s father staggered closer.
Click.
I glanced — Michael would be here soon.
“Where’s Caleb?”
“What’s it to you?”
He smirked.
“He’s not coming to save you.
Just like he didn’t save his mother.”
“Coward.”
He spat.
I roared.
“You filthy piece of shit… you worthless fucking bastard…”
He grabbed the baton.
Pinned me to the wall.
I cursed.
He looked me up and down.
“Damn… my son’s got good taste.”
I spat in his face.
“Pig!”
“You’re wild.”
“Bet you’re good in bed too.”
And then Michael and the guys burst in.
All armed.
Caleb’s father’s security — armed too.
I forced myself to breathe.
God…
That man has nothing to lose.
Michael has Jess.
Those men probably have families too.
Damn… what do I do…
Click.
Right.
“Ts-ts-ts.”
The shepherds lunged at Caleb’s father.
“Take him!”
The dogs tore into him.
Someone fired into the air.
Gunfire erupted.
“Holy—”
“Oh God…”
And I blacked out.
00:13
I woke up.
My head was buzzing, but I was fine.
A hospital room around me.
God…
So I’m in a hospital.
“Yeah. Brilliant.” — Hades stretched out, sipping a cocktail.
“Got a cigarette?”
“Not happening.”
He tossed a piece of popcorn at me.
I grimaced.
“Idiot.”
God… where is everyone? Am I alone?
“Look.”
I stood up — and dropped right back down.
“Damn—”
“Forgot to tell you about the wire,” Mushu said.
“Idiot!”
“You look like a slut.”
I flipped him off.
And carefully stepped over the wire.
Outside — chaos.
Everyone’s here.
All my people.
All the important asses.
Caleb, Nate, Jonathan, and Josh burst in like maniacs.
“Oh my God, are you okay?!”
Caleb started running his hands over me.
“Yeah… someone’s got only one thing on his mind…” Hades muttered.
“Shut up.”
Caleb hugged me.
I pulled back slightly.
“Guys, I’m okay.”
Nate and the others stepped out.
Just me and Caleb.
“My love… how are you?”
“Me? Baby, how are you?”
“Well…”
“Yeah, she had to save the world while you were crying,” Hades spat.
“Stop!”
“And this is the man you chose?!”
“Hades, stop!”
“What? You love him, right? Here’s your hero.
What if there were no dogs? No security?
His father’s insane — why the hell did you even go there?!”
“I… I wanted… I…”
“To protect him!
Baby, maybe this will surprise you, but it works the other way around.
Caleb is supposed to protect you.”
I dropped my gaze.
Damn…
“Exactly.
How long are you going to keep saving him?”
I stayed silent.
“Baby… think carefully.
Is this really your choice?”
The door opened — Colin stepped in.
I rolled my eyes
and waved him off — not now.
Caleb waited until I looked back at him.
I shook my head.
“Baby…”
“Hey…”
He lowered his eyes.
“I don’t deserve you.”
“Damn it, that’s not true, Caleb. Not true.”
I felt the anger rise.
“You don’t get to decide for me whether you’re right for me or not!”
Caleb let go of my hand.
“There he goes again,” Hades said.
I dropped my gaze.
And I broke down.
“Caleb…”
“Don’t, baby. Why would you want a coward?” — Hades.

1:15
I stepped out into the hallway.
Just to clear my head a little.
And to see Sam.
“Ah—!”
“Oh God—”
I grabbed my chest.
“God, do you always sneak up like that?!”
“No.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Waiting for you to feel better.”
“Colin!”
He raised his hands.
I waved him off.
“Whatever.”
Colin didn’t pressure me at all.
I could relax around him.
I called my people.
And soon they all came into my room.
Nate. Jonathan.
Josh. Cody.
And of course — the kids.
Everyone settled wherever they could.
But the main thing — we were together.
Pizza.
Juice. Sweets.
A ton of juice and water.
On the screen — Despicable Me.
Nate wrapped an arm around me.
And I fell asleep in his arms.
3:15
I woke up
and ran straight to Sam.
“Sam!”
“Hey.”
“Activate the hamsters. Now.”
Sam froze.
“Uh… wait…”
“No signal.”
“What? How is that possible, Sam?! How the hell is that possible?!”
I started panicking.
“Sam, call Mike.
I’ll call Jess.”
I kept calling and calling like crazy.
Third call. No answer.
“God—”
I started shaking hard.
“Damn it… how is this even possible, Sam?”
Sam paused.
“Maybe one of them got knocked out…
one of the nodes dropped — we can’t track it now.”
“Damn it!”
I ran back into the room.
“Nate!
Nate, Nate!”
He woke up.
“What— what happened?”
“Nate, listen to me. You need to go to Caleb. And Jess.
Find him. I want him located, Nate — I’m begging you.”
“No one’s picking up. I’m really worried.”
I called home.
“Sebastian.”
“Miss.”
For a second — I froze. He’s always there.
Not now.
“Sebastian, alert everyone.
Get all security moving.
Find Caleb. I want him located.
And call Josh.”
God…
Finally he picked up, half asleep.
“Baby?”
“Josh, wake up.
Aren’t the hamsters supposed to work under any conditions?”
He rubbed his forehead.
“They are…
but they need updates.
If ours didn’t get reset, the system just drops —
it’s not built to last forever.”
I cursed
and slammed the phone down.
“Damn it… damn it…”
I started smashing my phone against the table.
Sam’s phone beeped.
“Nate.”
I froze.
“Well?”
“He’s not home.
Jess isn’t either.”
“Fuuuck—
fuck—”
Wait.
If neither of them is home — then she’s with him.
She’s with him.
“Okay… okay…”
“He’s not alone…”
“No… she’s with Michael.” — Hades
“No—
no—
God—
God—”
I called home again.
“Sebastian.”
“Miss.”
“Mr. Caleb — is he at the estate?”
“Yes, Miss.
Yes, Miss.
Yes, Miss—”
God… that relief… I could listen to that forever.
“Yes, Miss.”
“Thank God…”
Sam threw his hands up.
He dropped into a chair.
Everyone exhaled.
“Sebastian, how is Mr. Caleb?”
“He’s in the dining room with his mother, Miss.”
He cleared his throat.
“Mr. Caleb fell asleep on his mother’s lap.”
I dropped.
Thank God.
He’s okay.
God…
“Sebastian.”
I pulled myself together.
“Mr. Caleb didn’t take anything, right?”
“No, Miss. Don’t worry.
Mr. Caleb came in with his mother,
and they immediately put cartoons on in the kitchen.
Mr. Caleb and Miss Jess were cooking together.
I believe… cupcakes.
She said she wanted to bake for her son herself.”
“Okay… okay…”
“Good.”
“And how did it go?”
“Mr. Caleb was… quite distressed, Miss.
He needed family.”
I felt my face warm.
“I see.”
“What happened after?”
“They moved to the dining room,
and Mr. Caleb fell asleep almost immediately.”
“Thank God…”
“Alright.
Return security to positions.
Stand down.”
“As you say, Miss.”
I swallowed.
Thank God he’s okay.
I pictured them in the kitchen —
laughing, cooking together…
her telling him stories about what a little troublemaker he was,
how he always got in the way while she was cooking.
I smiled.
God… this man is going to drive me insane.
“Miss.”
“Oh— you’re still here?”
“Yes, Miss.”
“I believe Mr. Caleb loves you very much.”
I blushed.
“Thank you, Sebastian.
Good night.”
“Good night, Miss.”