A dress had arrived for me, but there were no heels this time.

I opened the smaller cardboard box first, finding a pair of gorgeous gold sandals that laced up my calves. I got ready with shaky fingers, applying makeup the way I’d been taught to. I had no idea what lay in store for me, but I wanted to see what Thorn had prepared. I know I would walk away broken in one way or another, but it didn’t mean I didn’t want to dress up for him. I wanted to look prettier than I’d ever been, in fact.

I didn’t let myself look at the bigger box until I was ready. I’d curled my hair and let it fall freely down my shoulders and back, just the way Thorn liked it. My makeup was done with the mascara I kept aside, knowing it ran black every time I cried. I knew Thorn liked that, too. I painted my lips and cheeks pink and finally opened the larger cardboard box, gasping when I saw the dress inside.

It was simple, like one I’d worn before. I knew Thorn liked shimmering fabrics and metallics on me, but this dress was simple and beautiful in its graceful cut. It was long, with a long slit all the way up my thigh, made of a gorgeous white silk and draping perfectly over my body, giving the illusion of bigger breasts and round hips that I still didn’t really have. I realized as I slipped it on it had been days since I’d danced, and I hoped Thorn wouldn’t take my lessons with Marchante away from me now that I was back.

Once I was satisfied with my appearance, I left my room and found the hallway lit up with electric tealight candles. They led me all the way outside onto the cliffs, and I was surprised to find no one else around. If this had happened just a week ago, I would have been tempted to use the opportunity to get away. But that night, all I wanted to do was follow the tealights towards my destination and see what Thorn had prepared for me.

I stepped outside into the cool evening air, the white silk feeling luxurious against my skin. I’d scrubbed and shaved in the shower, and my skin glistened with the healthy dose of lotion I’d applied to it. I thought I looked more beautiful than ever before, and I hoped Thorn would notice too. I wasn’t afraid yet, though I felt my own nerves in the pit of my stomach, reminding me that things would only get harder for me that night.

I followed the tealights, the grass outside just a little too long, brushing against my ankles as I made my way through the path he’d made for me. The way there felt more like a romantic stroll than a punishment, but I knew better than to be fooled by Thorn again.

The night was balmy and beautiful, the stars twinkling in the indigo sky.

I rounded the corner and saw him standing next to a table laid out for two. He was wearing one of his suits, looking impeccable as always, and my heart surged at the sight of him. I desperately wanted to be closer to him, to hold his hand and have him tell me how much he cared for me. My heart hammered in my chest as I made my way towards him, and he pulled out a chair for me.

“Hello, beautiful,” he growled, and I sat down across from him, feasting upon his handsome features. “I’m glad you could join me.”

If he was playing a game, he was doing a damn fine job of it.

We fell into an easy conversation as he uncovered our plates, presenting a gorgeous meal cooked just for us. There was no one around, no maids or guards or anyone. I was grateful for it, especially after the previous night and what he’d made me do. I glanced at him over the table, the electric candles illuminated in his eyes as he stared at me openly.

Suddenly, I had nothing left to say, my mouth dry as I cut my steak.

“Don’t be afraid,” Thorn told me gently. “I just want to talk for starters. Is that alright?”

I was surprised, he never asked for permission. But I knew better than to question him, so I just nodded and continued eating.

“I wanted to talk to you about something that changed my life,” he went on. “Someone that came into my life and changed everything. Do you know who I’m talking about, Harlow?”

I shook my head, inwardly praying that it wouldn’t be Pia.

“It was Ellis,” he said simply, and my heart lurched at the mention of his name. “He was only twenty-six to my thirty-nine, Harlow. I felt such a responsibility for him. I think it’s the same way you feel about Amber, am I right?”

I nodded reluctantly, too emotional to trust myself to answer.

“I cared for him deeply,” Thorn went on. “I think I saw him as part of my family - the family I’d lost over the years. I’ll tell you about that, too. Did you know my father was a gardener? He worked right here, at the Mansion. His employer was a cruel man who treated me and my father horribly. Years later, I bought the house from him when he went into debt. And I’ll never forget the look on his face when he realized who bought it from him.”

He smirked at the memory and I cocked my head to the side, saying, “Seems a little vengeful.”

“You could say that,” Thorn laughed out loud. “But for me, it was symbolic. I was younger back then, cockier. And I wanted to have what I’d admired my entire childhood. The man I bought the house from shot himself a week after the sale.”

He kept on eating, but my fork clattered down as he ate. I’d suddenly lost my appetite.

“He had a son,” Thorn went on. “A son who came to me, because he had nowhere else to go. And I saw more of myself in the young man than I did of his father, so I decided to be the graceful one and help him. I felt guilty about his father’s death and I wanted to be a better man. Little did I know what kind of trouble he would get me into. That he would hurt you… that he would betray my trust and end up dying at my hand.”

“Ellis,” I whispered, and Thorn nodded slowly and thoughtfully. “He betrayed you.”

“He did,” Thorn went on. “And the betrayal hurt even more because I truly trusted him. There were only two people I trusted implicitly, and in the past year, both of them have let me down completely. Even I feel alone sometimes in this world, Harlow. Even I feel out of place.”

He finished his meal as I looked on, and then pushed his chair back, offering me his hand.

“Come with me,” he said. “Let me show you something.”

We started walking slowly, my arm in his, and my head resting on his shoulder.

“Was the other person Pia?” I finally asked, and Thorn nodded.

“You will find out more about her soon,” he promised me “But she was… an integral part of my life. Until she let me down and broke my fucking heart. Made me cruel. Made me the man I am today.”

We came to a stop amidst the roses, and he took my hand in his and held it close.

“What did she do?” I asked softly.

“A story for another time,” he said with a gentle smile. “But just like you, Harlow, she made a mistake. I offered her to pay for it by doing something for me. Did you know Pia is afraid of heights?”

I gave him a surprised look, shaking my head and not understanding where he was going. “No, I wasn’t aware of that.”

“I gave her a choice,” Thorn went on. “I told her she was free to leave me and start a life of her own. Or she could face her fear for me. Become a stronger person. And I would consider keeping her. You will have the same choice tonight.”

The possibility of him letting me go filled me with fear, and I turned my eyes to him, begging him to reconsider.

“What did you ask her to do?” I asked shakily, and Thorn motioned towards the cliffs.

“I asked her to jump,” he admitted. “I asked her to take a leap, and promised her I’d keep her safe if she did.”

I covered my mouth with my palm as I glanced at the cliffs.

“But…” I whispered. “We’re so high up here… it’s a long way down.”

“It is,” he said. “But she was at a point in her life where she needed to face her fears. I was doing it for her just as much as I was doing it for myself. I wanted to show her she had a choice. I wanted to show her her own strength. Except, she didn’t do it.”

“Didn’t jump?” I asked, and he shook his head. “Is it safe?”

“It is,” he said simply. “You just have to jump across the rocks below.”

The idea filled me with fear, and suddenly I realized maybe he’d want me to do the same. He seemed to sense my discomfort and cocked his head at me as I spoke up.

“If you want me to jump…” I started, my eyes flitting over his face. “I… I will.”

He stared at me, smoothing my hair down thoughtfully.

“I don’t want you to jump,” he said soothingly. “I have a different choice for you, my little rose. One tailor-made for you. One that isn’t about you, or me as a person. It’s about us, and choosing each other over anything else in the world.”

His words made sense, but still made me nervous, and I did my best to give him a brave smile which made him chuckle.

“Come with me, Harlow,” he said, and I followed him towards the edge of the cliffs.

Any other day I would be afraid, but he’d promised me I wouldn’t have to jump, and I believed him. But even if he changed his mind, I had accepted deep down that I was ready to do it. I would face any fear for him. I would do it all to give him what we both wanted most in the world - to be with one another.

He had set up a blanket surrounded by several paper lanterns on the cliffs, and I gave him a smile as we made our way over there. He motioned for me to lie down, and I did. He slipped his suit jacket off and joined me, his fingers absent-mindedly going through my hair as we stared into one another’s eyes. It truly felt like the calm before a storm, the moment before lightning struck, the moment that changed everything.

“Are you ready, little rose?” he asked me gently. “Are you ready to make your choice?”

“Yes,” I whispered in response, already knowing I would do anything and everything to end up in his arms again. “I’m ready.”

“I want to make love to you one last time,” he said, and a shiver went down my spine when I heard him call it that.

It had always been fucking with Thorn, never making love. This made me reconsider things, and for a couple of seconds, my heart pounded with irrational fear.

“Tell me you want it,” he prompted me gently, and I stared up at him, the reflection of the starry sky in his eyes blinding. “Tell me you want me to make love to you, Harlow.”

“I do,” I whispered. “I want it.”

“What else do you want?” he taunted me, and I blinked fast before opening my mouth.

“I want to hear it,” I admitted.

“Hear what?” his voice was barely audible.

“Hear that you love me,” I managed to get out, blushing fiercely as soon as the words left my lips. “I want to hear you say it.”