TROY POV

She stood there, eyes full of tears, lips trembling but stubborn as ever.

“No,” she said quietly, shaking her head. “I won’t sign your contract.”

I kept my face blank, my tone steady. “Think before you speak, Helen. You don’t get second chances with me.”

“I’ve thought about it,” she said, her voice breaking slightly. “And I’d rather struggle than sell myself to you.”

I almost smiled ...almost. “Brave words for someone drowning.”

She turned away. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“Oh, I understand,” I said coldly, walking closer until she backed away. “You need money, and you’ll do anything for it. But not me, right? You’d rather crawl back to men like Ben Fane”

Her eyes flashed. “At least he doesn’t insult me every time I speak.”

I tilted my head, smirking faintly. “That’s because he doesn’t know you.”

She glared at me, her anger rising. I could feel it ... the heat between us, the tension neither of us wanted to admit. But she didn’t say another word. She simply turned and walked toward the door.

“Fine,” I said. “Go. But remember this, Helen ....you’ll come back. And when you do, it won’t be this easy.”

She stopped, her hand on the doorknob. “You’re cruel, Mr Troy Stones”

I met her gaze, voice like ice. “I never claimed to be kind.”

Then she was gone.

I watched the door close behind her, feeling something sharp twist in my chest. I ignored it. Feelings were distractions ....and I didn’t entertain those.

“Send her home,” I ordered one of my men. “Make sure she gets there safely.”

The man nodded, following her out.

I poured myself a drink, staring at the city lights. For some reason, it felt colder tonight.

“She’ll be back,” I muttered under my breath. “They always come back.”

-

HELEN

The car dropped me off at the hospital. I didn’t want to go in, but I had to. Mom’s life depended on it.

The fluorescent lights inside stung my eyes. I walked straight to the ward ... the nurse looked at me with pity before I even asked. That was the first sign something was wrong.

“Your mother’s condition has worsened,” the nurse said softly. “The first surgery helped a little, but she’ll need another one. This time… it’s urgent.”

My heart dropped. “How soon?”

“Before the week ends. Otherwise…” She didn’t finish.

I didn’t need her to.

“How much?” I asked.

She handed me a slip of paper. My fingers trembled as I read the amount. It was far more than what Troy had given me.

I nodded weakly, forcing a smile I didn’t feel. “I’ll get it.”

But I didn’t know how.

When I left the hospital, the sky was heavy with clouds. By the time I reached my building, rain had started to fall.

I stopped in shock when I saw my things ....my clothes, boxes, even my mother’s framed picture ....scattered outside.

“My things?” I whispered, staring at the mess. “No… no, no.”

I ran to the landlady’s window, banging on the metal bars. “Please! Mrs. Ada! Why did you throw my things out?”

The woman appeared, her face stern. “Helen, you’re owing a year’s rent. I warned you. I’ve been patient enough.”

“I’ll pay! Please, just give me a few days!”

She shook her head. “No more time. You’re always promising, never paying. I’m sorry, dear, but I can’t.”

“Please!” I begged, tears mixing with the rain. “I don’t have anywhere to go!”

She sighed and shut the window. “Then you should’ve thought of that earlier.”

The sound of the window closing felt like the world turning its back on me.

I sank to the ground, hugging my knees as the rain poured harder. Everything I owned was getting soaked — my papers, clothes, even Mom’s photo frame.

“Why is this happening?” I whispered.

The cold bit into my skin, but it was nothing compared to the ache inside. I felt useless. Helpless. Lost.

Then, suddenly, I stood up. My hair clung to my face, rain dripping down my arms ... but my mind was clear.

I knew where I had to go.

I ran out to the street, waving down a taxi. The driver looked surprised. “Miss, you’re soaked—”

“Just drive,” I said, giving him the address.

His eyes widened. “That’s… Troy Stone's mansion.”

“I know.”

When I got there, lightning flashed across the sky. The mansion looked darker than before — tall, cold, untouchable. I hesitated at the gate, but before I could knock, one of the guards opened it.

“Master. Troy is expecting you,” he said.

My heart skipped. “Expecting me?”

He nodded silently and led me inside.

The moment I stepped into the living room, I saw him. Troy Stones ....sitting on the couch, calm, holding a glass of whiskey like he’d been waiting hours.

He didn’t look surprised. He didn’t even smile.

“I told you,” he said slowly, rising to his feet, “you’d come back.”

I swallowed hard. “Don’t act like you knew everything.”

“I didn’t need to,” he said, his tone dripping with arrogance. “I’ve seen your type a thousand times. Proud at first. Then desperate when reality hits.”

I glared at him. “Don’t talk to me like that.”

He stepped closer ... too close. His height towered over me, his eyes sharp and unflinching. “You think you can walk in here after rejecting me and demand respect?”

“I didn’t come here to beg,” I said, even though my voice trembled. “I came because I have no other choice.”

He smirked faintly. “That sounds a lot like begging, sweetheart.”

My fists clenched at my sides. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re predictable,” he shot back, taking another step closer until I could feel the warmth of his breath.

I stepped back instinctively, but he followed, his eyes never leaving mine. “You won’t be getting it easy, Helen,” he said in a low, intimidating voice. “You made me wait. You made me chase you back here. So now…”

He leaned in closer, his tone almost a whisper. “You’ll play by my rules.”

My heart pounded. I wanted to hate him. I really did. But something about the way he looked at me ... sharp, unyielding, and yet strangely careful...made it impossible to look away.

I lifted my chin stubbornly. “Then say what you want, Troy. Stop circling around it.”

He smiled ..

cold, powerful, confident. “knee and beg!.”

He brushed past me, his shoulder barely touching mine, but the contact sent a shiver through me.

“What?,” I was shocked.

"Knee and beg or the deal is off" He answered firmly, no expression on his face

And just like that, I knelt down, embarrassed...dripping wet, angry, and confused. "Please"

"Good girl,now get some rest" He pats my head and left, signalling someone to direct me to a room

I hated him.

I hated the way he made me feel powerless.

I had just walked into the lion’s den — and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to leave.