Page 29 of Obsession

Trying her best to find that love they shared but felt like she was somehow trying to con the con artists. It was a tightrope that could either lead to her freedom or end in disaster.

The mansion continued to grow more suffocating, the tension thick and palpable. Bastian knew of her bizarre allegiance to Callum, despite his intention being to tear them apart by having them literally tear each other apart.

So far as she knew though, Grayson was keeping it well under wraps that there was anything between them, other than the fling before her first attempt to flee the mansion.

She made a show of displaying disgust toward him when either of the other two were near. It was not a safe play, yet Ren held onto the hope of rebellion, the embers of defiance burning brighter with Callum's support and Grayson’s rejection.

The taste of love was bittersweet, a slight contrast to the reality of her captivity.

Twenty-Nine

Time seemed to stretch endlessly. Bastian had unleashed a kind of hell on her she could not have predicted existed in her previous life. Yet, with Callum's unexpected alliance, Ren found a sliver of hope.

He had hurt her, but he was also helping, and the two of them shared a bond in their pain.

“Do you think that Bastian is going to break?” Ren asked Callum after preparing for another day of them being taken into Bastian’s room.

“I honestly can’t tell. He’s been so angry. So enraged that I don’t know what he will or won’t do. To be perfectly honest, he’s never made me participate in his games before. I feel like it’s purely for your benefit.” Callum sounded sad in his reply.

“I would rather that he didn’t take out frustrations with me, on you.” Ren said.

“There is no changing his mind once it’s made up.” Callum said while turning to walk down the next hallway.

Their whispered conversation continued in the quiet corners of the mansion and were filled with plans and promises of freedom.

Ren opened the door to Bastian’s room to find him sitting on his chair, similarly to the first time she had snuck in.

He was slightly slumped over with his head resting in his hands.

“You are stronger than I ever gave you credit for Renalta. My beautiful pet.” He had let loose a heavy sigh as he looked up at her standing in his doorway.

Callum stood silently behind Ren waiting for his brother to issue his demands, as he always did.

“I see it clearly now. I won’t have you or Cal in my room any longer. The joy of my torment is no longer in my heart. I will make sure that Grayson knows as well.” Bastian said.

Believing his point had been made, Bastian called off the endless torture sessions and would make sure that Grayson wouldn’t push the issue either.

“You can leave Callum, you have paid your dues for her. She has proven herself, and her love for you.” Bastian said.

“I would endure a millennia of anything you could throw at me for a single day with her. She is my world.” Callum announced to the room before walking away casually.

Ren walked into the room and stood before Bastian. She patiently waited silently before he finally looked up at her again.

“I didn’t just take torture for the sake of torture. I know that you enjoy it. To be honest, I did enjoy when you treated me like a lover and not an enemy.”

Bastian’s eyes seemed to light up at her statement.

“What would you have me do then? Share the most important woman in my life?”

“Yes.”

Ren’s one word answer was solidly stated. Her honesty was bold not knowing how he could or would react.

“All I have is yours, my pet. You fear me. Do as I say. Love me as I love you, and you will never want for anything in your life.” Bastian placed a gentle kiss to her chest from his seated position.

“I do love you.” Ren whispered while she wrapped her arms around him.

The mansion's oppressive atmosphere began to disintegrate in that moment, replaced by the scent of potential change.

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