The Billionaire's Doll: Her Secret Escape

Spencer lay in the dirt, clutching his face, making a high-pitched keening noise.

"My nose! You broke my nose!"

Garrick didn't move to hit him again. He simply adjusted his cuffs, staring down at Spencer with eyes devoid of humanity.

"Say her name again," Garrick said, his voice a quiet, lethal drone. "Say one word about her, Spencer, and I will dismantle your father's company brick by brick. By tomorrow morning, your family will be destitute, and you will be in a cell. Do not test me."

Spencer went pale beneath the blood. He knew Garrick wasn't bluffing.

Ever stood there, trembling. Not from fear of Spencer anymore, but from fear of Garrick. The violence was so raw, so easily accessed.

Garrick turned to Ever, his expression hardening. He grabbed her wrist.

"We're leaving."

He dragged her to the car. He didn't open the door for her this time. He shoved her in.

"Are you stupid?" he yelled as the driver pulled away. "He had a crop! He could have blinded you!"

"He was hurting her!" Ever yelled back, rubbing her wrist. "I couldn't just watch!"

"She is paid to be there!" Garrick roared. "She knows the deal! It's a transaction, Ever! Just like you!"

The words hung in the air.

Just like you.

Ever went cold. All the fight drained out of her.

"Right," Ever whispered. "I forgot. I'm just an asset."

Garrick stopped. He looked at Ever, realizing what he had said. Regret flashed in his eyes, but his pride wouldn't let him apologize.

They rode the rest of the way in silence.

Back at the apartment, the fight continued.

"You don't speak to men like Spencer," Garrick lectured, pacing the living room. "You don't challenge them. It puts you in danger."

"So I should just stand there and look pretty?" Ever asked quietly.

"Yes! That is your job!"

"I'm a canary," Ever said, her voice devoid of emotion. "Canaries don't speak. They just sing and die."

Garrick stared at her. He hated it when she went numb. He wanted the fire. He wanted the passion, even if it was anger.

He spun around and swept a Ming vase off the console table.

SMASH.

Porcelain shards exploded across the floor.

Ever didn't flinch. She just looked at the pieces.

"Clean it up," Garrick said, breathing hard. "And don't leave this apartment until I tell you."

He stormed into his study and slammed the door.

Ever knelt on the floor. She picked up a shard of blue and white porcelain. It was sharp. She pressed her thumb against the edge until a bead of blood welled up.

Leo.

If Garrick could do this to his best friend... what would he do to Clarence? What would he do to her son if he found out?

Ever cleaned the floor in silence.

Late that night, Ever lay in the guest room. She could hear Garrick pacing in the hallway. He stopped outside her door. She saw the shadow of his feet under the crack.

He stood there for five minutes. He wanted to come in. He wanted to apologize, or maybe just claim her again.

Ever held her breath, clutching the burner phone under the covers.

Google Flights: New York to Zurich.

His shadow moved away. He didn't come in.