Chapter 123

Enzo froze, disbelief and confusion clouding his vision. He had not expected the defiance to slip away, and to be replaced by submission—Lucretia, on her knees, calling him Master with her head lowered to the ground.

When she spoke again, her voice was steady but he could still hear the pain. “You have broken me all over again, Master. I was a føol to ever think I would one day be free and live a normal life where I can make my own choices and live with them”

The raging fire in his chest was doused by a wave of unexpected emotion. He stood there for a moment, his mind a tangled mess of emotions, warring against each other like two beasts locked in battle. Rage, confusion, desire—they swirled together like a storm inside him, threatening to rip him apart.

What was she doing?

He moved towards her and stopped inches away from her face. She wouldn't look up at him so he pressed his cold fingers against her chin and pushed her face upwards to meet his. He searched her eyes, probing for si