Page 70 of Vicious Vows

Confusion flashes through my mind as I think about the reason behind the sudden change in landscaping. Maybe he had them put in to stop me from trying to jump out of the window again. It's not like I could ask him. I hadn't seen him in a long while. Not since he dragged me from my sister's house and left me in the hands of Dr. Nelson.

I inhaled deeply, and the sweet scent of the planted flowers below wafted up into my senses.

Was he trying to make me feel more at ease with the sweet smell?

I shook my head at the silly attempt. It was going to take more than some flowers for me to forget what he'd done to me.

I turned in the room, and froze in shock as I examined the chair where Dominic usually sits. It overflowed with flowers and jewelry, long dresses, and chocolate. Gifts for his bad behavior. I walked over to the pile of material things and picked up the first item; it was silk, probably better quality than anything I've ever had in my life, and it was nothing more than blood money to me. I'm not going to let him get away with the abuse he put me through simply because he has enough money to buy me things that I've never had before. No, he wants to keep things strictly business so that's what it'll be.

"Fucking bastard." I picked up the clothing, and as the anger raced through me, I rushed over to the fireplace and tossed it all inside. The soft fabric crackled and sparked as I flooded the fire with the items. Hysterical laughter bubbled up into my throat as I continued to throw all the presents into the licking flames.

I didn't want anything that Dominic could give to me. I wouldn't allow him to think for one second that what he did to me was okay or that I would just forgive him. He wanted so badly to break me, and he did.

Once I'd finished destroying every last item, I heaved a sigh of satisfaction. I'm sure that Dominic can buy everything I destroyed twenty times over without batting an eyelash but I feel better knowing that I didn't let him buy his way out of trouble with me.

I nodded once as the items turned to ash in the fire before I turned on my heel and limped toward the door. Opening it slowly I looked out to see not one but three new guards standing out in the hallway. Of course, Dominic would do more to make sure that I don't get away again. I lifted my chin and walked out of the room not even bothering to address any of the guards in the hall. I had nothing to say to them anyway. If I was going to be confined to my room they were just going to have to toss me over their shoulder and bring me back.

To my surprise, none of them stopped me as I made my way down the hall and toward the main dining area. Instead, they just followed behind me giving me ample space.

My stomach growled as the scent of good food wafted through the air. I don't know how long I've been asleep but it felt as if I hadn't eaten in quite some time.

Walking faster, I nearly speed-walk toward the smell of food. A wide smile on my face when I turn the corner and see the table filled with foods that I love. Fruits, pastries, and biscuits along with the usual breakfast fare like eggs and bacon.

Of course, my smile fades the second I look over to the corner and see Dominic standing at the back of the room looking out the window.

"You've got to be kidding me," I mumbled before I turned around and tried to walk back out of the room.

"Faye, sit down." his voice boomed through the room and caused me to jump.

"I'm not hungry."

"You're lying. I can hear your stomach growling from here." Dominic turned in my direction and slowly walked to the opposite edge of the table.

"Then you can have one of your minions bring me my breakfast," I responded.

"No, you can eat in here with me."

"I don't want to eat-"

"I didn't fucking ask you if you wanted to eat with me! If you want to eat you'll sit here and eat with me!" Dominic barked at me and pulled back a chair before he sat down hard and glared at me. He let out a groan and dragged a hand down his face. "Faye, I'm trying here."

"No one asked you to do that." I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms over my chest.

"I know you didn't but... It's the right thing to do." He replied, his voice softer than it was a moment ago.

The right thing to do? Since when was Dominic ever concerned about something being right or wrong?

"Can you just sit?" He asked and gestured to the chair in front of me.

My eyes go from the chair to the food in front of me and as much as I want to stay hard my stomach growls even harder. Without looking I pulled the chair out from the table and sat down. I don't wait for him to tell me to eat, instead, I just dig right in.

The food tastes like freaking heaven, I moan softly as I shovel the food into my mouth. When I look up again, Dominic is staring at me with that snarky grin again.

"What?"

"Nothing, I just like to see you getting what you need. " He shrugged his shoulders before reaching over to get himself a plate as well.

We sat there in silence for a few moments before Dominic decided to talk again. "I take it you found the new things that I left for you?" He picked up a piece of bacon and pressed it to his lips. He was clearly impressed with himself.

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