Diana stepped in quietly, hesitating before closing the door.
Matthew gestured toward the bed.
She clutched the hem of her shirt in both fists and sat down at the edge.
Her heart was pounding so hard it hurt.
Ever since she'd come to this mansion, every time she was alone with him, she ended up on the verge of panic.
-Is… something wrong? You said you wanted to remind me of something.
She bit her lip.
Matthew stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and cleared his throat before speaking.
+You Tell me… do you think you've done anything that'd make me need to remind you of something?
Diana stared at him, eyes darting across his face.
She didn't even know why he scared her this much.
Whenever they were alone, her courage disappeared.
What could she say that wouldn't earn her another mark on her collarbone?
-I don't know. We haven't even been around each other much lately for me to do something wrong.
The moment he spoke again, she felt the blood freeze in her veins.
His tone was cold and his eyes even colder.
+You know you're supposed to be polite, right?
She stammered, her voice trembling.
-I know…
+You know you're supposed to respect me, don't you?
Diana swallowed down the lump in her throat.
What was happening again?
Even if he didn't touch her, his voice alone was enough to break her.
Just like that night in the alley, when a couple of words from him had been enough to knock her to the ground.
The memory flashed: Matthew standing over her, gun in hand.
Her breathing quickened. Her pulse was racing.
-I know.
+You also know the only reason I treat you decently…is because of Jacob. Right?
Her lips moved but no sound came out.
Her mind screamed that she was trapped in Matthew's darkness, sinking slowly, but she didn't know why she couldn't fight it.
Sweat slid down her back.
Her cold hands clenched together.
Matthew stood.
She flinched, curling in on herself, head bowed, biting her lip hard.
He walked over and stopped right in front of her.
He took her chin in his hand and forced her to look up.
Diana's eyes met his, wide, trembling.
Matthew leaned closer.
Even his voice terrified her to death.
+If you didn't know, now you do. For some reason, Jacob cares about you. You've noticed that yourself.
He pressed his fingers a little tighter against her chin.
+I don't want to fight with him over you, got it? I won't let something that worthless ruin what we've built for years.
He hit her where it hurt next.
+He matters to me. He's like a brother. But you? You're nothing.
His gray eyes were ice and emotionless.
+You're just a toy. And if you get on my nerves too much…
A cruel smirk curved his lips.
+I'll throw you out like trash.
Tears slid silently down her cheeks.
Was it from the pain in her jaw?
From fear?
Or from hearing those words from the man she'd secretly thought might one day be the one she could lean on?
Her voice cracked.
-What… what did I even do?
Matthew looked at her like she was a puzzle he enjoyed solving.
A grin tugged at his mouth.
+Told you. You'll remember it yourself.
Diana's throat felt dry as dust.
-Can I… can I go now?
+Go? That'd be too easy for you.
This time, she looked at him with pure desperation.
There was no strength left in her.
-Please…just let me go. I'm begging you.
Matthew pulled off his T-shirt slowly.
+Lie down. Right here. Head by the edge of the bed.