Only his

Ch16

📍 Sheard Mansion — Master Suite
🕒 7:43 AM
Nobody's POV

Drew was the first to wake.

Sunlight tried its best to sneak through the blackout curtains, casting a faint glow across the silk sheets. The room smelled like her perfume and expensive cologne, but it also smelled like tension—like something had cracked the night before and neither of them knew how to fix it.

He laid there silently, staring at the back of Karen's head. Her hair was slightly messy, and she was curled up under the sheets, breathing slow and shallow. His hand hovered above her waist for a second, but he pulled it back. The guilt was there... but so was the heat of last night's rage.

She had tried to leave.

She tried to leave him. After everything he gave her. After everything he did for her. That betrayal looped in his head like a song stuck on repeat. And though he hadn't slammed her or broken anything, what he did do—he knew that wasn't love either.

His hand had come down hard on her backside. Over and over again. He made her count each one. She cried into the sheets, face hot and swollen, but didn't fight. Didn't talk back. She just took it.

Because she knew what he was capable of.

Because she knew better.

And still, that didn't stop him from feeling twisted up inside as he sat up on the edge of the bed and tapped her gently.

Drew (softly):
"Baby... wake up."

She stirred with a low, pained whimper. Her hand moved to her backside instinctively before she even opened her eyes.

Drew:
"You still in pain?"

Karen nodded. Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Karen:
"Yeah..."

Drew:
"Okay. Can you stand without falling?"

She pushed herself up slowly. The motion made her flinch, her hand going to her lower back. Her legs were shaky, her steps cautious.

Karen:
"I can."

He said nothing more. Just walked to the closet, grabbed a crisp red, white, and blue Tommy Hilfiger suit, and started getting dressed. Karen didn't even glance his way. She quietly pulled on the glittery pink dress he'd laid out for her. It clung to her curves and hugged the bruises she hid.

They walked to the bathroom together, brushing past one another in silence. They showered, but the water didn't wash away the tension. There were no kisses. No tenderness. Just silence. Cold, aching silence.

⸻

Karen's POV – 9:12 AM

That dress was tight. Too tight.

Every step reminded me of what he did last night. Every brush of fabric on my skin made my stomach twist. But I didn't say anything. I didn't ask for a different dress. What was the point?

He would've picked another one just like it.

I was tired. So tired. Not just in my body, but in my soul. I hadn't seen my sisters in days. My phone stayed locked away. I couldn't even cry properly—because if I cried, he'd want to know why. And if he thought it was about him? God help me.

So I tried. One more time.

Karen (soft):
"Drew... can you take me home?"

He turned slowly, buttoning his jacket. His eyes didn't blink.

Drew:
"I already told you last night... you're not going home."

He took a step forward. I instinctively took one back. My heart raced.