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Third-person POV
The night air clawed at her skin, but the real chill came from within. Daisy sank down against the garden wall, phone clutching her hand, her whole body trembling.
The bond flared suddenly, searing through her veins, and white-hot pain ripped across her chest and belly, making her gasp. Her nails clawed at her skin as the truth hit her—Noah was with someone else… again.
The mark on her neck throbbed like fire, branding her inside and out. It wasn’t just jealousy; it wasn’t just rage… it was agony. His betrayal was her punishment, forced through the bond until she could barely breathe.
She pressed the phone to her ear, with shaking hands. In the long run, and then his voice slid in, smooth and cruel.
“Noah…” she whispered, tears spilling hot down her cheeks. “Please. Please let me come to you. I can’t—”
“Why are you calling me?” He asked, his voice clipped. “Haven’t I told you not to?”
“The pain…” she whispered, her voice hoarse. “It’s too much. I did what you asked of me… I stole the gem for your sister. I did your bidding… every single time. I have nowhere to go… no one to turn to. You are all I have left.”
His laugh cut her off; it was cruel and unnerving, sending a chill down Daisy’s spine.
“You feel it, don’t you?” He murmured. “Every time I touch another woman. That’s what you are to me, Daisy. A reminder of what I own. I don’t owe you anything… It’s me you serve, and you’ll continue to do so until your dying breath.”
Her heart stuttered.
“I…I risked everything for you…” Her voice came out barely above a whisper.
“Enough,” his voice hardened, and with it, the bond constricted. She cried out, clutching at her throat as if invisible fingers squeezed her windpipe. “It seems you need a reminder of who is holding all the cards. Tell me who you belong to.”
“Please…” she croaked, her face red from the lack of air.
“Tell me,” he ordered, his voice loud in her head.
She clutched at her chest, trying to gain some relief, but found none.
“I’m yours…” she finally said, her body sagging with defeat.

“Good girl,” Noah purred. “Now do as you're told, keep quiet. Keep useful, and maybe, if you’re lucky, I’ll let you sleep in my bed again.”
The line clicked dead.
Daisy collapsed forward, shaking her shoulder, but even her tears felt hollow now. She wasn’t his mate; she was his prisoner. He didn’t love her, and he probably never did, nor would he ever. She was so stupid to fall for his charms when she was younger… so stupid to think for a moment that he could actually have some feelings for her.
She thought she could use Lila to break this painful bond between her and Noah, but she was wrong. The gem didn’t work for Lila, and now Daisy felt more alone than ever.
It made her wonder if Lila was truly Blackwell blood.
Wiping her tears with trembling hands, Diasy stared at her reflection in the black pond. She had nothing left. No home. No freedom. No love.
But she had her instincts.
And if she couldn’t break the chains, she’d break Lila instead.

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