Drawn to Lust

The Tipping Point

"Bambi"

The mansion was eerily quiet, the kind of silence that suffocated every thought, every breath. I had been here for days, the opulence of the place lost on me now. The chandeliers, the endless halls, and expensive art that lined the walls—they were all part of the same cage. A cage I couldn't escape.

Valerian’s footsteps echoed down the corridor, a slow and deliberate reminder that I was never truly alone. I braced myself, knowing that nothing good came from moments like this, where the stillness in the house only meant his presence was drawing closer, more menacing with each passing second.

I stayed seated, the book in my hands nothing more than a prop. I wasn’t reading. How could I when every thought was clouded with the fear of what he might do next? I could hear him approaching. He never rushed; Valerian didn’t need to.

The door creaked open behind me, and I felt his presence immediately. He didn’t speak right away, but I could feel his gaze burning into me, the tension thickening the air. I slowly closed the book and looked up. Valerian stood in the doorway, his eyes sharp and calculating, his expression unreadable.

“Bambi.” His voice was quiet, too calm.

I stood slowly, knowing better than to ignore him. His calmness was always a prelude to something worse. He stepped into the room, shutting the door behind him, and my stomach knotted in fear. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady.

“I thought you’d be asleep by now,” I said, my words sounding weak in the face of his intensity.

He ignored my attempt at small talk, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. “Do you know what loyalty means, Bambi?” he asked, his voice cold.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. This wasn’t a conversation—it was a confrontation, and I had no idea how it would end. I stayed silent, unsure of what he wanted me to say.

“Loyalty,” he continued, his voice like ice, “is something you seem to be forgetting.”

My heart raced. He knew. He always knew. I had been careful, trying to keep up the pretense of obedience while secretly searching for any opportunity to escape. But Valerian was always one step ahead.

“You’ve been spending a lot of time with Nico,” he said, his voice dropping, the accusation sharp.

I shook my head quickly. “He’s your brother. We’ve just talked. Nothing more.”

Valerian moved closer, his presence towering over me, suffocating. “Talked?” he repeated, his voice low and dangerous. “Or schemed?”

“I haven’t—” I started, but the words died in my throat as he grabbed my arm, his grip firm, almost bruising, and throwed me one the ground. The panic surged through me, but I fought to keep it from showing on my face.

“You think I don’t see it?” he whispered, leaning in, his breath hot against my ear. “You think I don’t know what’s running through that pretty little head of yours?”

His eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my skin crawl. He was searching, waiting for me to slip, to show any sign of weakness or guilt.

“I don’t—” My voice cracked, and his lips curled into a slow, cruel smile.

“You’re mine, Bambi. You belong to me, every thought, every breath. And if you even think about trying to defy me again…” His voice trailed off, but the threat hung heavy in the air, more terrifying than if he’d said it outright.

The room felt smaller, like the walls were closing in on me. My heartbeat pounded in my ears as I struggled to keep calm. His gaze never wavered, cold and unrelenting.

“I’m not doing anything,” I whispered, trying to sound brave, even though the fear was clawing at me from the inside.

Valerian’s hand slid to my chin, forcing me to look up at him. “You don’t have to,” he murmured. “Because I see everything. I know every thought before it even leaves your mind.”

I blinked back the tears threatening to spill over, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry. He thrived on control, on seeing people bend to his will, and I wouldn’t give him that. Not now.

“You think Nico can protect you?” he asked softly, his words dripping with malice. “You think he’ll save you?”

I shook my head, my voice barely audible. “No…”

“Good,” he said, releasing me abruptly. “Because there’s no one who can protect you from me.”

I stayed silent, my body trembling as I watched him walk away, his threat still hanging in the air. He paused at the door, turning back to look at me one last time, his eyes gleaming with a darkness I couldn’t escape.

“Remember,” he said quietly, “you’re mine, Bambi. Forever.”

The door closed softly behind him, but the echo of his words lingered long after he was gone.

I collapsed onto the ground, every muscle in my body tense with fear and frustration. I pressed my hands to my face, fighting back the sobs that threatened to break free. I couldn’t let him break me, not now. Not when I had to survive.

Because that’s all I could do. Survive.

But even as I sat there, trying to calm the storm of emotions raging inside me, one thing became clear: I needed a way out. And I couldn’t wait much longer. I'll make him regret every abuse and threats he'll give me.