I was still on the rug, cum leaking between my thighs, when his phone rang.

Brayden didn’t look at me. He picked it up, buttoning his pants with one hand.

“Yes,” he said. “Send something to the mansion. An Expensive dress. Emerald silk. Something appropriate for a family dinner.”

His eyes flicked down to me where I lay on the floor like a beggar.

“And make sure it fits my wife.”

He hung up, sliding his belt back into place.

“Get up.”

My arms trembled as I pushed myself off the carpet.

He stepped close, his thumb scooping a streak of cum along my thigh, then shoving it between my lips.

“Swallow.”

I obeyed.

The dress came in a velvet box, carried by a servant who didn’t meet my eyes. Brayden opened it himself, pulling back the tissue like it was a gift for him, not me. Deep green silk with a neckline that showed more than half of my cleavage and a high slit.

“Strip.”

My skin still burned from his hands, but I obeyed. When I was naked, he traced a purple bruise on my hip, then placed the dress over my head, fitting it into place like I was a mannequin.

The silk clung to my hour glass body.

Brayden fastened my collar over the fabric. His lips brushed my ear.

“You’ll sit there tonight looking like a queen. But don’t forget, you’re still my whore.”

The restaurant was very elegant. Crystal chandeliers glittered above a long table where they were already waiting.

His mother. His brother, Leonardo. And Alessia.

“Brayden,” his mother snapped, rising. “Finally. And you bring… this.” Her gaze cut me open like a blade.

“Mother.” Brayden pulled out a chair for me. I sat.

Alessia leaned forward. “We were just discussing you, Brayden. And your… unusual bride.”

His mother’s lips thinned. “Bride? Don’t insult that word. Alessia is your wife. This one is a mistake. My son will soon come to his senses”

Leonardo leaned back in his chair, his gaze roaming down my neckline. Heat crawled up my neck. I kept my eyes on my plate, silent.

His mother slammed her hand on the table. “Girl, look at me when I speak to you!”

I froze.

“She doesn’t speak to anyone but me,” Brayden said lazily, sipping his wine. “Those are the rules.”

Alessia’s hand touched his arm lightly, her voice soft. “It isn’t her fault. She’s just… not meant for this world. She belongs elsewhere. Beside the servants. Or the dogs.”

Leonardo’s laugh was low, filthy. “Dogs would be lucky. At least they’d hear her bark. I’d rather hear her scream.”

His mother’s fury cracked. “Listen to me, Brayden! Alessia is your wife. Alessia is the one meant to stand beside you. This silent little tramp will never be accepted.”

“Zoe is my wife.” His tone was final.

Alessia’s face drained of color. “You don’t mean that.”

“I mean every fucking word.” Brayden leaned back. His gaze cut straight to his brother. “I will never be married to a woman who spread her legs for my own brother.”

“Brayden…” Alessia’s voice cracked. “I was drunk. I didn’t even cum. I’ve apologized a thousand times. What more do you want from me?”

Brayden laughed. “You think being drunk excuses you fucking Leonardo?”

His mother gasped. “Watch your mouth!”

“Don’t tell me to watch my mouth,” Brayden snapped. “You always support him. You should’ve told your precious Alessia to keep her legs closed.”

Alessia reached across the table. “It was a mistake. A stupid, meaningless mistake. But you’re throwing away us for… for her?” Her eyes flicked to me, dripping venom. “For a mute little nobody who doesn’t even know how to act at a table?”

I stared down at the polished wood, tears streaming down my face. obeying the rule that burned in my head: Don’t speak. Don’t speak unless he allows it.

Leonardo chuckled. “You talk like it was meaningless, Alessia, but you didn’t seem to regret it at the time.” His eyes slid to me, slow and lewd. “Maybe my brother should thank me. At least one of us enjoyed it.”

“Leo!” Their mother’s voice cracked.

Brayden’s jaw flexed. His hand landed heavy on my thigh beneath the table, fingers biting into my skin. He was very angry.

“You disgust me,” Brayden said, eyes locked on his brother. “Both of you.”

Alessia’s voice shook. “You’re making a mistake, Brayden. She’ll never give you what I can. The power and connections i bring. If you marry me you’ll be the next Mafia lord of the city. Just divorce her and send her away”

Brayden’s lips curved into a cruel smile. “Power? Connections? You think I need you to take what’s already mine?”

His mother slammed her palm against the table. “Alessia is right! With her family behind you, you could own this city. Instead, you chain yourself to some… some stray who has nothing.”

I swallowed hard, staring at the plate, shame and hate swirling inside me.

Brayden leaned back, his thumb stroking circles into my thigh, deceptively calm. “This ‘stray,’ as you call her, carries my name now. My ring. My rules. That makes her worth more than all your father’s alliances combined.”

Alessia’s face flushed. “She’s not worthy. She’s a disgrace. She doesn’t even open her mouth when spoken to!”

Brayden turned his head slowly, eyes cutting to me like a blade. “She doesn’t open her mouth,” he said softly, “because she knows who owns it.”

The words hit like a bullet. I was his property.

Leonardo’s laugh broke the silence. “Own it, huh? Funny. She looks like she’d moan just as sweet for anyone who spread her legs.”

“Enough!” Brayden’s fist slammed onto the table. “Say one more word, Leo, and I’ll make sure you never speak again.”

His mother rose from her chair, trembling with fury. “You would choose her over your blood? Over your own family?”

Brayden’s eyes went cold. “I already have.”

Leonardo said. “Tell me, brother… does she even know how to suck your cock properly? Or is she just good at lying there and taking it?”

Brayden’s hand clenched tighter on my thigh. “Leonardo,” he said, voice like a blade. “I warned you.”

“She’ll never be me!” Alessia’s hands trembled on the table. “She can’t give you power. She can’t give you status. She can’t even give you children! She’s a useless whore and you…”

Brayden’s chair scraped back with a violent sound.

“Shut. Your. Mouth.”

Alessia froze, her face pale. Leonardo’s smirk faltered. Their mother went stiff with fear.

Brayden straightened, his gaze sweeping over them. “You dare to speak about my wife like that?”

His hand shot out, fisting in my hair, yanking me to my feet. I gasped, stumbling, but he held me firm against his side.

“This woman,” he growled, “is Zoe Gatsby. My wife. My property. My whore. And I’d burn the whole world down before I let any of you lay a finger on her.”

Leonardo swallowed hard, his smirk gone. Alessia’s eyes filled with tears. Their mother rose shakily.

“Brayden,” she hissed, “you shame this family…”

“No,” he cut her off, dragging me closer against him, his hand still tangled in my hair. “I am this family. Without me, you are nothing. And don’t you forget it.”

He didn’t wait for a reply. He yanked me away from the table.

“Brayden!” his mother shouted after him. “You’ll regret this!”