n

n

nThe following night Dylan came again into her room and ordered her to change into another cloth he brought.

n

"Change into this one,

" He said.

nSavannah answered through her gritted teeth,

"Okay.

"

n

"Now.

" Told Dylan when he saw Savannah standing still.

nRight now? She got scared.

nWould he sleep with her tonight...?

nShe knew that this would have occurred sooner or later since she decided to stay here but didn't expect it so fast. Holding the bath towel with her sweaty palms, she finally picked up the sailor-like nightgown and went into the bathroom.

nFive minutes later, Savannah opened the sliding door of the bathroom and came out slowly. Dylan turned around and stared at her, frozen for a moment.

nHer skin was pale and flawless. The children's night skirt surprisingly fit her clean and babyish face, and its size was very suitable for her petite sweet figure. Dylan's eyes moved down to her breast, which looked full and eye-catching in the limited size—making her a bit more seductive and fascinating.

nHis eyes darkening, he got up and walked to her.

nShe could hardly breathe when she smelled the faint smell of sweet ambergris and the bath from him, embarrassed and unable to move. Savannah closed her eyes, her muscle clenching.

nWhatever he was going to do, she had to swallow her pain for Kevin.

nWith eyes closed, although she couldn't see what he was doing, she could feel him sizing her aggressively. She was waiting for him to tear her dress, and for bad sex to come, her back sweating. Finally, he ran his hand through her hair, and then he tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear.

nSurprised, she opened her eyes. He said with weariness,

"It's too late. You should go to sleep now.

"

nThen he turned and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

nSavannah was unconvinced and stayed where she was, around by his imperious smell.

nIs he just gone?

nNothing?

nHer heart sank back to its place, and with a sigh of relief, she ran to the door and locked it. Clambering into bed, she switched off the light and lay down, exhausted.

nShe closed her eyes and then drifted into a heavy sleep.

n***

nWhen she woke up the next morning, it was already ten o'clock.

nShe hurriedly washed, opened the closet before closing it again. Holy Crap – he's spent a fortune. It resembled Valerie's wardrobe – Gucci, Armani, and Lacoste. She'd only ever heard most of them and never dreamed of owning them. Intimidated by the selection, she grabbed the plainest looking dress on the rack and pulled it on before heading downstairs.

nBreakfast was already set. Freshly baked bread and scones with pots of jam, marmalade, and cream served with silver tea-spoons.

n

"Good morning, Miss Schultz.

" Said Judy, as she hurried past with a hamper of laundry.

n

"Where is Mr. Sterling?

" She yawned, sitting down at the head of the table.

n

"He went to work before eight o 'clock,

" She said, giving her a sideways glance. She supposed that she and Garwood considered her his mistress now. And she supposed she was. The way he'd **ed her, face down, pulling back her hair and thrusting it in her. She still felt sore. None of it made any sense to her how she got from there to here. From being Devin's wife to bring his uncle's mistress. Such a chain of lurid, nonsensical events.

nTo Judy's credit, she didn't say anything. After a moment of silence, she bowed her head and left.

"Enjoy your breakfast.

"

nShe nodded, and after Judy had left ate some scones with a mound of cream and jam. Then another and another. She was famished. Then, after what seemed like only a moment, there was a knock on the doorframe.

nGarwood came in.

"Miss Schultz? Mr. Sterling is waiting for you in the car.

"

n

"Now? But where to?

n

"The hospital.

"

n

"The hospital?

"

n

"The issues you discussed with Mr. Sterling. They will be sorted.

"

n

"So soon? Wow, well-

"

nGarwood had already led the way, and Savannah hurried along behind.

nOutside, dappled sunlight streamed through the trees, the smell of freshly cut grass and the distant sound of a strimmer. In the drive was a black S-Class with Dylan in the driver's seat. He wore a grey suit, white shirt unbuttoned.

nHe was scowling at her.

"You overslept.

"

nShe blushed and said nothing. Climbed into the back seat of the car, and they head off.

nThe way was uneventful. The real world seemed so distant to her now. People of the street merely stage actors that had no meaning beyond their immediate function. Like, if she waited long enough, they would all run out of things to do and the world as she knew it would stop.

nWhen they arrived, Dylan took her hand, lead her to the hospital. She stopped at the automatic doors,

"I don't really need to go in. I'll just wait outside while you resolve the issue...please.

"

nDylan tightened his grip.

"You need to get used to seeing things like this. It's time to grow up.

"

nShe thought it was funny, considering the school uniform he'd **ed her in last night, but she didn't say anything. There was another meaning to those words. She was his mistress, which meant she would have to deal with Devin and the Sterling's regularly. Time to grow a thick skin.

nShe was led past reception to an elevator. From there, down a maze of long white corridors and swinging doors until they arrived at the ward. There were only four beds, and all the curtains were drawn around them.

n

"Devin, here. Have some soup. It'll make you feel better.

" A voice came. It was from Susan. Before she could run, Dylan flung back the curtain, skidding it along the rails. Held her hand in his.

n

"Your uncle's here, Devin, and-

" She stopped. Frowned and caught her breath. Devin sat up, a confused look on his face.

nSavannah lowered her gaze to the floor to avoid Susan and Devin's stare.

nDylan spoke up.

"What are you doing? Sit down.

"

nHolding Savannah's hand, he sat her on the sofa.

n

"Dylan, what do you mean by bringing her here? It's her and her friend that gut Devin here in the first place. And you...

" Her face was stern like chiseled marble.

n

"That's why she's here today.

" Dylan looked from Savannah briefly to Susan. Then he closed his eyes meditatively, his tone was quiet,

"Say it.

"

n