Damian's POV

She was standing in front of me. No shirt. No shorts. Just a bra and panties. Her eyes were red from crying. Her chest rose and fell fast. When she spoke, her voice reached me, torn raw by anger.

"How much per time?"

She was daring me.

I didn't look away. I didn't sigh. I didn't show shock. My face stayed blank, even as a faint, almost imperceptible twist of discomfort stirred in my stomach. That was all.

She wanted to hurt me with the question. Thought it would give her some kind of victory. But she wasn't the one in control here.

She never had been.

"So you finally understand," I said coldly. "You're starting to act like an adult."

She blinked, as if she'd been slapped by something invisible. I took a step toward her. She stepped back, fists clenching. So brave about honoring the agreement a minute ago, and now she was running from me?

"Offended?" I tilted my head. "Spare me the drama, Stella. You read the contract before signing it. Or did you pretend