**Aria POV

My torment under the thumb of Chris did not cease in the months that followed. He allowed me to return to work in order to keep up appearances and not cast any more suspicion on him, but when I returned to him at night, a new round of torture would begin.

He had discovered that no amount of bribery would tempt me, so he had resorted to mental and physical humiliation and abuse.

“This can all end, Aria,” he taunted me, using his chains to ...