The cold metal of the handcuffs bites into my wrist as I wake, chained to the headboard once again. Through bleary eyes, I see him standing in the doorway, silhouette outlined by the morning light filtering through the curtains. Xie Han. My captor. My obsession. My worst nightmare made flesh.

"You're awake," he says softly, crossing the room with that predatory grace that still sends shivers down my spine, even after weeks of captivity. He sits on the edge of the bed, close enough that I can smell his cologne - expensive, woody, intoxicating despite everything.

His fingers brush my cheek, featherlight, and I flinch involuntarily. His smile fades slightly, but his hand continues its path, trailing down my neck to my chest, where my heart pounds against my ribs.

"You still fear me," he observes, not quite a question. There's something like disappointment in his voice, which is absurd because I should fear him. He's a killer. A monster.

And yet... I find myself leaning into his touch, craving the only human contact I've had in weeks. The realization makes my stomach clench with shame.

"Do you want breakfast, or would you prefer... something else first?" His fingers hover over the button of my pajama shirt, eyes darkening with promise. The choice hangs in the air between us - compliance or defiance. And I know defiance will only lead to pain, but compliance will erode my humanity further.

I meet his gaze, and in that moment, I see both the monster and something disturbingly like tenderness in his eyes. "What will it be, my sweet captive?"