The Bennet Scandal

Shattered Illusions

"Where are you taking me?" Sophia asked, her tone sharp as she looked at Gabriel walking ahead of her.

Gabriel heard her but didn't bother to reply. He was too focused on finding the apartment he'd chosen for her.

"I'm talking to you!" Sophia snapped, her voice rising sharply. "You think you can just walk ahead and ignore me? Like I'm nothing? You owe me an answer, Gabriel, and you're going to give it to me! I'm not some puppet you can toss aside when you feel like it." Her eyes burned with fury as she stepped closer, her tone dripping with scorn. "You don't get to—"

Gabriel stopped mid-sentence, turning toward her with chilling calm. He took a step forward, and she instinctively backed away, her breath catching in her throat. The space between them disappeared quickly, leaving her with nowhere to go as her back hit the wall.

He stood close, too close, his towering frame casting a shadow over her. The heat from his body radiated toward her, but nothing was comforting about it. His eyes locked on hers with an intensity that sent a cold shiver down her spine.

"I don't think you quite understand your situation yet," Gabriel said, his voice low and threatening. "You don't make demands. Not anymore."

Sophia swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. She tried to hold her ground, but the closeness of his body, the weight of his presence, made her knees weaken. She could feel the sharpness of his gaze cutting through her, reading her fear like an open book.

"Gabriel," she stammered, trying to sound defiant but failing miserably. "You can't treat me like this."

He leaned in, his hand resting on the wall beside her head, boxing her in. "You think I'm treating you badly now?" he whispered, his lips brushing dangerously close to her ear. "This is nothing, Sophia. You haven't seen what I'm capable of."

His voice was a low growl, sending a jolt of fear through her. She was trapped, her back pressed against the cold wall, his body inches from hers. She could feel his breath on her neck, making her skin prickle. The proximity was unbearable, a deliberate power move that left her feeling small, and helpless.

"Gabriel," she whispered, her voice barely audible, trembling under the weight of his dominance.

He didn't move, didn't give her an inch of space. Instead, his hand slowly slid from the wall to her shoulder, the touch both deliberate and chilling, making her flinch.

"Do you think you're in control here?" he asked softly, his fingers brushing down her arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. "Because you're not. Not anymore."

She froze, the terror in her eyes unmistakable now. His touch, though light, felt like a warning, a reminder that he held all the cards, and she was utterly at his mercy.

"I can make this easy for you," he continued, his tone cold but smooth, as if he was offering her a deal she couldn't refuse. "Or I can make it hard. The choice is yours."

Sophia's breath hitched, her pulse racing as she struggled to keep her composure. But the truth was, she was terrified. Terrified of what he might do, of the power he wielded so effortlessly over her. And worst of all, terrified that he was enjoying this.

Gabriel leaned in closer, his lips just brushing the edge of her jawline, a move that made her heart leap into her throat. She squeezed her eyes shut, fighting the overwhelming wave of panic that threatened to consume her.

"I could make you regret every word you just said," he whispered against her skin, his voice so soft it was almost seductive. "But I won't—because that would be too easy, and I'm not done with you yet."

His words hung in the air, heavy with threat, as he finally pulled back, just enough to let her breathe again. Her chest heaved as she gasped for air, trembling under the intensity of the moment.

"You're going to stay here," Gabriel said, his voice returning to its cool, calculated tone. "And you're going to do exactly what I say when I say it. Do you understand?"

Sophia nodded, too shaken to speak, her body still pressed against the wall, her heart pounding furiously in her chest.

"Good," Gabriel smirked, his eyes dark and dangerous. "Remember, you're in my world now. You're mine to deal with. Don't forget that."

With that, he stepped away, leaving her standing there, breathless and trembling, the fear still coursing through her veins. She watched as he headed toward the door, his casual stride contrasting sharply with the tense atmosphere he left behind.

As he opened the door, he glanced back at her, his expression unreadable. "I'll be back," he said flatly. "Don't even think about leaving."

The door clicked shut behind him, and Sophia's legs finally gave out as she sank to the floor, her body shaking uncontrollably. The terror of what just happened, of what could have happened, left her feeling more vulnerable and trapped than ever before.

Tears filled her eyes, but she blinked them back, refusing to let him break her completely. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction. Not yet.

But one thing was clear—Gabriel Westbrook was a man who wouldn't hesitate to crush anyone who got in his way. And now, she was at the center of his dangerous game.

"What have I done?" she whispered, anger bubbling up inside her. "How did I let him drag me into this mess?"

Memories of her former life flooded her mind: the extravagant dinners, the glamorous parties, the laughter that once filled her home. Now, she was alone, surrounded by dust and silence, suffocated by her own decisions.

"Gabriel!" she suddenly screamed, her voice bouncing off the walls. "You did this to me! You think you can just walk away?"

Rage surged through her as she thought about the kiss that had changed everything. It had been thrilling at the time, but now it was just a reminder of her downfall. She felt betrayed—by him, and by herself for letting it happen.

"I'll make you regret this," she vowed, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. Anger surged through her, fueling a fire deep inside.

"I won't let you control me, Gabriel. I'll find a way out of this," she cried out, her voice trembling. Despite being utterly helpless, she refused to admit it—refused to give up.