HER LIFE

You're Mine

Valentina's POV

I jolted awake, my body drenched in sweat. The nightmare had its claws deep in me, the same as it always did—Klaus, towering over me, his sinister smile carved into his face, his eyes glinting with that horrifying hunger. His hand gripped a knife, and no matter how many times I tried to wake up, I couldn't. The scene kept repeating. Over and over again.

I sat up in bed, rubbing my hands over my face. My breathing was ragged, heart still racing from the remnants of the nightmare. It was no use trying to sleep again, not after that. The clock on my bedside table glowed in the darkness, showing it was just past 4:30 AM.

I dragged myself out of bed, heading for the bathroom. The cold tiles under my feet sent a shiver up my spine, grounding me in reality. I turned on the shower, letting the icy water cascade over my skin, hoping it would wash away the heaviness that clung to me. It didn't.

After the shower, I dressed in comfortable clothes—a simple shirt and jeans—and walked downstairs. The house was dead quiet at this hour, the kind of silence that presses on your chest. I made my way to the kitchen, where our chef was already up, preparing breakfast for the household.

He glanced up as I entered. "Good morning, ma'am. Do you need anything?"

I shook my head. "No, I just woke up early and thought I'd make myself something," I said, trying to push the weariness from my voice. The last thing I needed was for anyone to notice something was wrong.

"Ma'am, please. You sit, and I'll prepare anything you'd like," he insisted, but I was too exhausted to argue.

"Alright, fine," I sighed, "But can you stop calling me 'ma'am'? It's weird."

He smiled politely, though he wasn't quite able to hide his amusement. "Of course, what can I get you?"

"Just some pancakes," I said as I walked over to the dining table. My phone buzzed in my pocket as I sat down. I pulled it out, noticing an unknown number flashing on the screen. I hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Hello?" My voice came out tentative, my stomach twisting.

"My butterfly," came a voice that sent icy dread flooding through me.

My hand tightened around the phone. "What do you want?" I asked, fighting to keep my voice steady, though fear had already gripped me. This was it. Klaus had found me again.

"Now, now, is that how you greet me after all this time? Feisty as always," he chuckled, but the sound was cruel, filled with malice.

"Shut up. What do you want?" I spat, anger mixing with my fear. I couldn't let him hear how terrified I was.

"Oh, you know what I want," he said, his tone darkening. "I hear you're hosting a ball tomorrow, my love."

My blood turned cold. How did he know? Of course, Klaus always knew. He had his spies everywhere.

"Yeah," I replied, not bothering to deny it. I just wanted this conversation to end.

"Well, my butterfly, I just wanted to let you know... I'm coming for you. Tomorrow, you will be back where you belong. In my house. With me."

I felt the bile rising in my throat. "I will never come back to that hellhole," I growled, gripping the phone so hard I thought it might crack. "And if I see you there tomorrow, I swear I'll kill you myself."

He laughed, and the sound of it made my skin crawl. "I look forward to the challenge. See you soon... and by the way, you look lovely in that outfit," he said before the line went dead.