This is the third update of the day. Read chapter 44 and 45 in case you missed it ❤️

Sophia stood in the grand living room of their mansion, her phone pressed to her ear. On speaker, the voice of a man on the other end confirmed her worst suspicions.

"Mrs. Rivera, there is indeed another woman in your husband's life. She's been staying with them at the island mansion."

Sophia's knuckles turned white as she gripped the edge of the table. Her lips twisted into a bitter smirk. "The island mansion? So they had the audacity to keep her in the same place we celebrated our honeymoon."

Her sisters, Scarlet and Shylah, were listening intently, their fists clenched. Scarlet was the first to speak, her voice a low growl. "We'll make that whore regret this."

Sophia hung up the call and immediately dialed another number. Her voice was ice. "Do it."
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August sat stiffly in Lucian's lap, her discomfort radiating off her in waves. She kept her gaze fixed on the ornate dining table, her casted hand resting awkwardly at her side. Her bare legs, exposed by the skimpy nightdress Lucian had chosen for her, brushed against his, and her heart pounded in her chest with every subtle shift of his body.

Lucian's smirk deepened as he picked up a small piece of veggies from the plate, holding it to her lips. "Eat, doll," he murmured, his voice low and coaxing. "You wouldn't want me to think you're being disobedient, would you?"

She hesitated, her lips trembling, but opened her mouth to accept the bite. His fingers lingered against her lips, deliberately slow, as if savoring her compliance. "Good girl," he whispered, his tone sending a shiver down her spine.

As she tried to focus on anything but him, Lucian's hand slid to her thigh, his touch light but possessive. His fingers traced lazy circles on her skin, moving higher and higher, making her breath hitch. "You're so tense," he murmured, his lips grazing her ear. "Relax, doll. You belong here—with me."

August stiffened in Lucian's lap, her free hand trembling as she clutched the edge of his shirt. Her voice was barely audible, a desperate whisper. "Please... don't."

Lucian froze for a moment, her plea piercing through his arrogance, but before he could react, Elijah's low, mocking chuckle broke the silence. "Did you hear that, Ian? Your precious little doll thinks she can beg her way out." He leaned back, his sharp smile cutting through the room. "How temporary your little game is. Fear isn't lasting, brother."

Lucian's smirk faltered, replaced by a venomous glare. His hand tightened on August's arm, his nails digging deep into her delicate skin, making her gasp in pain. "Shut it, fucker," Lucian growled. His gaze dropped to August, his tone softening but in a way that was far more dangerous. "Say it again, doll. Go ahead. I dare you."

August whimpered, her head shaking furiously as she bit back tears. Her breaths came in shallow gasps, her body trembling under his grip.

Elijah tilted his head, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement. "See? You dig your claws in, make her flinch, and then what? She behaves for a while, sure. But fear fades. Give it time, and she'll start to resist you again. That's the problem with your methods, Ian—they're fleeting."

Lucian's nails pressed deeper into her arm, and a sharp cry escaped her lips. He shot Elijah a cutting look, his jaw tightening. "You've got a lot to say for someone who hasn't even earned her obedience yet. I'm handling her just fine."

Elijah leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table as he smirked. "Oh, I'm sure you think you are. But mark my words—breaking her down mentally, making her need us, that's where the real power lies. Your brute force might control her body, but it'll never own her mind."

Lucian scoffed, releasing August's arm abruptly. She cradled it against her chest, the red marks from his nails a painful reminder. He reached out and brushed a tear from her cheek with mock tenderness, leaning in close. "Don't listen to him, doll," Lucian whispered, his voice smooth but chilling. "You'll learn soon enough who you belong to."

Elijah chuckled, raising his glass in a mocking toast. "Here's to you, Ian. Always mistaking fear for loyalty. Let me know when she starts to rebel you."

Lucian didn't respond, his smirk returning as he glanced down at August, who sat frozen, her tears streaking her face. His lips brushed her ear as he murmured, "Don't forget, doll. The pain stops when you stop fighting."

August closed her eyes tightly, her body trembling as the brothers' twisted power struggle continued, her freedom feeling further away than ever.

His other hand trailed up her side, his thumb brushing the exposed curve of her stomach. "You should thank me for being so gentle."

Before she could respond, Alexander's phone vibrated against the polished wood of the table. The sudden sound broke the tension, and August's gaze darted to Alexander, silently begging for a distraction.

Alexander picked up the phone, his expression impassive as he listened. "Understood," he said finally, hanging up with the same calm detachment.

He looked at Lucian, his face unreadable. "Mother got into an accident. It's serious."

Lucian's hand stilled for a moment on August's thigh, but his expression didn't waver. Instead, he sighed and stood, lifting her as if she weighed nothing. The movement caused her nightdress to ride higher, and she flushed, instinctively tugging it down.

"Always so shy," Lucian teased, his smirk returning as he adjusted her in his arms. "We'll leave in the morning. But for now, doll, you need your rest."

As he carried her toward the stairs, his fingers trailed against the exposed skin of her back, his touch both a reminder of his control and a promise that he wasn't done with her yet.
Her body trembled in his arms, and she turned her face away, trying to escape the intensity of his gaze.

As they reached her bedroom, he kicked the door open and set her down on the bed, his movements firm but calculated. He adjusted her nightdress, his fingers lingering far too long against her skin. "Be a good girl while we're gone," he murmured, his voice dripping with both mockery and warning. "We'll be back by evening, and I expect to find you right here, waiting for us."

August's eyes darted up to him, her lips parting to protest, but before she could speak, he leaned down, his hand gripping her chin firmly. His lips crashed against hers in a kiss that was both aggressive and possessive. His tongue claimed her mouth with a dominance that left her frozen, too stunned to fight back.

When he finally pulled back, his eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he smirked. "Sweet dreams, doll. Don't miss me too much."

He straightened, brushing his thumb over her swollen lips one last time before turning and walking out of the room, leaving her shaken and breathless.

As soon as the door closed, August sat up, her chest heaving. Her hand flew to her lips, and she began scrubbing them with the back of her hand as if trying to erase the lingering feel of him. Tears stung her eyes as she muttered to herself, "Disgusting..."

She turned her face toward the open window, the cold night breeze washing over her heated skin. It brought a fleeting sense of relief, and she focused on it, trying to calm her racing thoughts. Eventually, exhaustion claimed her, and she drifted into a restless sleep, the faint echo of his words haunting her dreams.

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FEW HOURS LATER

August was asleep when the searing pain in her scalp jolted her awake. Her scream caught in her throat as the lights flickered on, revealing the furious faces of her half-sisters.

The sisters stood frozen in disbelief as the light illuminated the bruised, trembling figure before them. It was August.

"You?" Scarlet spat, her voice dripping with venom. "You're the woman hiding in this mansion?"

Shylah's jaw tightened, her expression a mixture of shock and disdain. Sophia, however, stepped forward, her face unreadable at first, but her eyes burned with contempt.

"You've got to be kidding me," Sophia said coldly. "Out of all the women in the world, it's you. Bitch."

August, terrified and confused, raised her hands defensively, her voice trembling as she spoke. "It's not what you think. I didn't choose to be here. They—they kidnapped me! I'm not here willingly. Please, you have to believe me!"

WOULD THE SISTERS BELIEVE AUGUST? 🫣

WHAT THE BROTHERS GONNA DO ?🫠