Chapter 4 No Escape

​Jessica’s POV

​I stayed in the nursery until I heard the cleaning crew leave. My heart wouldn't stop thumping. I know I should have called my mom to tell her what's going on here, but would she believe me? No! She'd think it's another excuse to run away.

Every time I closed my eyes, I felt Matthew’s thumb on my neck. It was scary, but there was a tiny part of me... a part I hated that felt a spark I had never felt before.

​Stop it, Jess, I told myself, rocking Ethan’s crib. He is your sister's husband. He is a predator.

​The next morning, I stayed in my room as long as I could. I waited until I heard his car drive away. Only then did I go downstairs to make breakfast.

​The house was silent again. I spent the day doing laundry and watching the baby. I tried to call Josephine, but it went straight to voicemail. She was probably at a fancy dinner in Paris, completely unaware that her husband was looking at her sister like she was a meal.

​Around 6:00 PM, I was in the living room. The sun was setting, casting long, orange shadows across the floor. I was wearing a simple t-shirt and leggings this time... nothing he could misinterpret.

​Suddenly, the front door opened. My stomach did a somersault.

​Matthew walked in, but he wasn't alone. A man in a suit was behind him, carrying a stack of papers. They were talking about a merger. Matthew looked up and saw me. He didn't smile, but his eyes darkened.

​"Jessica," he said, nodding toward me. "This is my assistant, Marcus. Marcus, this is my sister-in-law. She’s staying here for a while."

​Marcus smiled politely. "Nice to meet you."

​I felt a wave of relief. If he had work to do, he would leave me alone. "Nice to meet you too. I’ll just... take the baby upstairs."

​"No need," Matthew said, his voice commanding. "Marcus is leaving. We've finished the briefing. Right, Marcus?"

​The assistant looked surprised. "But sir, we still have the—"

​"I said we are finished," Matthew repeated, his voice cold.

​Marcus took the hint. He gathered his papers, gave me a confused look, and left. The heavy click of the front door felt like a trap closing.

​I turned to go, but Matthew was faster. He dropped his briefcase on the sofa and blocked the path to the stairs.

​"Running away again, Jessica?" he asked. He took a step closer. I took a step back until my heels hit the edge of the rug.

​"I have to put Ethan down for a nap," I said, my voice shaking.

​"The baby is already asleep in his playpen," Matthew whispered. He was so close now I could smell his expensive cologne—sandalwood and success. He reached out and placed his hands on the wall on both sides of my head, pinning me in.

​"You took the money I left," he noted, his eyes locked onto my lips.

​"I didn't ask for it," I snapped, trying to find some courage. "I’m not a girl you can just buy, Matthew."

​He chuckled, a low vibration that I felt in my chest. He leaned down until his breath was hot against my ear.

​"I don't want to buy you, Jessica. I want to see if you’re as brave as you were that night in the kitchen. You weren't running then. You were watching me."

​He moved his hand from the wall and traced the line of my jaw. I should have pushed him. I should have screamed. But my body felt heavy and warm.

​"Tell me to stop," he challenged, his face inches from mine. "Tell me you don't want this, and I’ll walk away."

​I opened my mouth to say it, but the words wouldn't come out. I just stared at him, my breath hitching as he leaned in even closer.