บท 157: Past - 79

There were hundreds of coins on the table. Paul assumed it would take Regina a long time to work it off, and it would be long enough for him to lose interest in her by the end.

Regina looked at the table and then Paul. "What if I say no?"

Paul already knew she would not say no. She loved it when he touched her. She loved it when he kissed her. She wanted him but refused to have him out of principle. He was giving her a way out, giving her a justification for the means. And it allowed him to control the situation at the exact same time. "Nothing will change."

"Meaning?"

"You will live here indefinitely. I will put you to work around the house with the other maids. I will never take you against your will or let anyone else do the same. You will be comfortable, taken care of, and safe. But that's all your life will ever be. You will never return home. You will live out the remainder of your days in this house. You will die here."