“You will live here for the duration of our agreement,” Damian stated as they arrived at a minimalist house in the city center.

He glanced at Eveleen, who remained silent and offered no comment.

“What? Don't you like it?” Damian asked, his sharp gaze still fixed on her.

“I don't think I need to comment on that. Because I don't even want to be living here in the first place,” she replied firmly.

Damian let out a soft chuckle. “Okay then. Make yourself at home, but remember, there are many CCTV cameras here that will be watching your every move,” he said, his unblinking stare making Eveleen so uncomfortable that she had to look away.

“Since it's late, you should get some sleep. The maids are on call. If you need anything, just call for them or press the call button in your room. They will do anything you ask,” Damian said, slipping his hands into his trouser pockets.

As Damian turned to leave, Eveleen stopped him after just one step.

“Sir—”

Damian looked back at her, raising an eyebrow. “Yes?”

“May I have my phone?” Eveleen asked hesitantly. “I… I need to inform someone that I might not be home for a while.”

“Hm, someone?” Damian narrowed his eyes. “Aren't you living alone with your father? Who is this 'someone,' Miss Eveleen?”

Eveleen swallowed hard, her hands clasped tightly together. She tried to remain calm under Damian's penetrating gaze, which seemed to see right through her.

“No one in particular, Sir. Just a neighbor. I often leave my house key with them if I'm going to be away. I don't want them to worry,” Eveleen replied, trying to sound convincing despite her racing heart.

Damian observed her carefully for a few long seconds. That faint, cold smile returned to his lips.

“Don't bother. I will inform your neighbor,” he said, making imaginary quotation marks in the air with his fingers. “You don't need to worry about anything. Just focus on… resting here.”

“But, Sir—”

“Sleep well, Miss Eveleen,” Damian cut her off, his tone leaving no room for argument. Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving Eveleen alone in the hall of the luxurious house that suddenly felt cold and confining.

Eveleen heard the distinct sound of a lock turning from the outside, confirming her fear—she was a prisoner in this gilded cage. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Her eyes instinctively scanned the room, quickly finding the almost invisible lens of a small CCTV camera in the corner of the ceiling. Just as Damian had said, she was being watched.

“Why do I have to be trapped in a situation like this?” she thought.

With heavy steps, she headed towards the room the maid had shown her earlier. Her mind raced. Who exactly was Damian? How could her father be in debt to such a cruel man? And most importantly, how could she escape this place and free herself from Damian's clutches?

“Until I give birth to his child?” she murmured, placing a hand on her stomach. “How can I even have a child? I've never even been with a man…”

***

“You're back, Darling?” Grace greeted Damian's arrival, dressed in a thin, blood-red nightgown.

“Yes,” Damian replied, taking off his jacket and laying it on the sofa in their bedroom.

“You're later than usual,” Grace remarked, stopping Damian as he moved towards the bathroom. Damian knew she had spies among his men.

“I've found the woman who will bear my child,” Damian said, turning to face his wife.

“Oh really? Who is she? Where did you find her, Darling?” Grace asked with feigned grace. “I hope she's not some floozy who deliberately seduced you.”

Damian let out a short, flat laugh. “Relax, Grace. She's not the type you're thinking of. Her name is Eveleen. Her father owes me a significant debt, and she will be the one to repay it in her own way.”

Grace moved closer, her slender arms encircling Damian's shoulders. “Oh, so it's just a matter of debt,” she whispered, her sweet tone not entirely masking the hiss of underlying jealousy. “Are you sure there's nothing else? You came home much later because of her.”

Damian gently but firmly removed Grace's arms. “This is purely business. I was just ensuring my investment is secure. She's now staying at the small house in the city center, under close surveillance.” His eyes bore into his wife's. “And I'd prefer it if you didn't interfere, Grace.”

“But, Damian—”

“No buts,” he cut her off, his voice low but authoritative, ending the discussion. “As we agreed, you cannot give me a child. So, let me handle this my own way,” he stated firmly.

“I just want to know what kind of woman she is, Damian,” said Grace.

“I'm tired. I need a shower.” This time, nothing stopped him from walking into the bathroom.

Grace stood silent, staring at her husband's retreating back with fiery eyes. *Eveleen*, she thought. A simple name for a woman who now suddenly threatened her position, no matter what Damian claimed. *What kind of woman is she?* she wondered.

***

*Knock! Knock!*

“Miss, breakfast is ready.” A maid's voice came from outside the room. Eveleen opened the door to find a young woman in a maid's uniform standing there.

“Who are you?” Eveleen asked.

“My name is Launa. Mr. Damian sent me to attend to you here,” she replied politely, bowing her head slightly.

“Just call me Eveleen,” Eveleen said, walking ahead with Launa following her.

“Are there any foods you dislike, Miss?” Launa asked as they reached a small dining table on the backyard terrace, which had a refreshing morning view.

“I've prepared a few Western breakfast options,” Launa continued, uncovering the dishes one by one. A delicious aroma immediately filled the air.

As Eveleen descended the stairs, the smell of coffee and breakfast wafted towards her, but what made her heart skip a beat was the sight of Damian, already seated neatly at the table, looking at his phone with a cup of espresso in his hand.

“The doctor will be here in an hour,” Damian said without looking up from his phone. “Eat your breakfast first.”

Eveleen could only nod weakly, not trusting her own voice. She sat opposite Damian, forcing herself to swallow a few bites of food that felt like sand in her mouth.

Eveleen kept stealing nervous and hesitant glances at Damian until he finally grew weary of her behavior.

“If you have something to ask, just ask,” Damian said.

Eveleen swallowed before looking directly at him. “I… I want to know about my father's condition. Is he still your prisoner?” she asked.

Damian slowly put his phone down. His cold, sharp gaze focused on Eveleen, making her even more nervous.

“Your father is safe,” Damian answered briefly, without emotion. “He's in a comfortable place. As long as you fulfill your obligations, he will remain safe.”

Eveleen bit her lip, trying to suppress the turmoil of emotions inside her. “Can I… talk to him? Just to make sure he's okay?”

Damian raised an eyebrow, as if the question was amusing. “A conversation? Do you think this is a negotiation, Eveleen?” His voice was low but threatening. “You are in no position to make requests. Do your part first, and then I might let you see him.”

“My part?” murmured Eveleen.

“Yes, don't we have to spend the night together to get you pregnant?” Damian's blunt statement made Eveleen's face flush crimson with a mix of shame, anger, and humiliation. Her hands clenched the napkin on her lap so tightly it crumpled.

“You don't have to be so vulgar about it,” she hissed, struggling to keep her voice steady despite the storm inside her.

Damian seemed only more amused by her reaction. He leaned back in his chair, looking at her with a gaze that made her feel exposed.

“Vulgar?” he repeated mockingly. “This is the reality of our agreement, Eveleen. I'm paying a high price for your service. Did you think this would happen with romantic conversation under the moonlight?” he taunted.

He suddenly stood and walked towards her, making her tense up even more. Damian leaned down, placing his hands on the back of Eveleen's chair, trapping her.

“Let me make it perfectly clear,” he whispered near her ear, his voice vibrating with threat and something darker. “This is a transaction. I want an heir. You provide the womb for it. No feelings, no tenderness, and certainly no love. You just need to lie back and take it.”

Eveleen closed her eyes, trying to hold back the threatening tears. Damian's words cut like daggers, a humiliation she had to endure.

“Once you are pregnant,” Damian continued, his unsettling whisper still close, “and have successfully given birth to my child, your father will be released. That's all.”

He pulled away, observing Eveleen, who still had her eyes closed, her face pale, and her body trembling slightly.

“Now,” he said, abruptly returning to his flat tone, “finish your breakfast. The doctor will be here shortly.”

Damian returned to his seat and picked up his espresso as if nothing had happened, leaving a shattered Eveleen, who now wanted to escape more than ever, even though she knew it would be incredibly difficult.

Eveleen forced herself to take a few more bites, though the food tasted like paper. Her mind spun wildly, searching for a loophole, for any possible chance of escape.

---