Elena's heart stopped for a moment, and her stomach churned. She looked at Evan, hoping he was joking, but the cold, impassive look on his face made it clear there was no room for doubt or questions. Every fiber of her being screamed for her to rebel, to fight against this humiliation, but she knew there was no way out. Not in this situation.

With trembling hands, she began to unbutton her shirt, her eyes fixed on the floor. The tension in the room was palpable, and her breathing seemed to echo in her own ears.

Evan remained silent, watching her like a predator about to pounce. Every move she made was analyzed with surgical precision, every hesitation noted mentally.

Elena removed her shirt and started to unbutton her pants, feeling stripped of any dignity, not just physically but emotionally as well. It was as if she were shedding all her defenses, all her resistance, and completely surrendering to his control.

When she was finally down to her underwear, she stopped, waiting for further instructions. Evan moved even closer, his presence suffocating.

"Continue," he ordered, his voice low but relentless.

She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to find strength within herself. She took off her bra, then her panties, until she was completely naked in front of him. The air felt colder against her exposed skin, and she could feel the weight of Evan's gaze on every inch of her body.

He circled around her slowly, like a wolf sniffing out its prey, without saying a word. Elena could feel the tears burning in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing her despair.

"Fragile like the petals of a rose," he murmured, more to himself than to her. "So vulnerable. So fragile that you could be shattered in seconds with a simple touch."

The journalist continued looking down, trembling.

"Do you understand now? You may seem tough with your talk of doing what's right, of not repaying evil with evil, but those are just the defenses of a little girl who grew up without truly being loved, without being valued. That's how I see you, Elena. This vulnerability you're feeling now, as you undress for me, has always been there."

Elena didn’t know if he was saying this to humiliate her or to teach her a lesson, but even standing there, naked in front of him and completely exposed, she felt that this... This was a show of consideration. In a twisted way or not, Evan was saying this to help her.

"Look at me."

She obeyed. The billionaire's expression was still hard, but... A strange emotion hovered just above his dark eyes.

"James and I may seem like the bad guys, but what was it you just said? Something about seeing beyond appearances." Moving a bit closer, almost touching her face, Evan asked, "What do you see now?"

Elena swallowed hard, her words stuck in her throat. Conflicting emotions wrestled inside her, and she tried to find some answer to Evan’s question. This situation made her feel more vulnerable than ever, but there was also a trace of curiosity and, perhaps, a hint of defiance.

"I see..." she began, her voice faltering. She took a deep breath, trying to control the tremor in her voice. "I see a man who uses fear as a tool. Who believes that controlling people through humiliation and power is the only way to gain respect and obedience."

Evan continued to stare at her, his eyes sharp as blades. Elena went on, feeling a strange courage growing inside her.

"But I also see a man who might have his own vulnerabilities. That, behind this mask of coldness and control, may be hiding his own insecurities and fears. You see me as a fragile creature, but I see someone who, in a way, is also fragile."

Evan’s expression didn’t change, but something in his eyes seemed to soften for a brief moment. He moved even closer until Elena could feel the warmth of his body against hers.

Before she could wonder what would happen next, his lips softly brushed against hers.

And then the whisper of a kiss, the light touch, turned into a storm.

Evan took her in his arms and began kissing her fervently. To her complete surprise, Elena found herself giving in to the billionaire’s embrace, to his strong arms, his defined chest, and his woody, masculine scent like a powerful cologne.

Lost amid the chaos of hands sliding and groping her body, Elena felt something inside her that she had never felt before; an undeniable sense of belonging. She was his. And not just because of a vulgar contract signed a few weeks earlier.

That fierce, overwhelming kiss seemed to last an eternity, each second more intense than the last. Elena felt the pressure of Evan's body against her bare skin, and despite the initial humiliation, there was an undeniable connection forming, something primitive and deep. When he finally pulled away, they were both breathless, their faces close enough for her to feel his breath on her skin.

Evan watched her for a moment, his dark eyes analyzing every detail of her expression. He seemed to be searching for something, perhaps confirmation that she had understood the complexity of the situation she was in. Slowly, he raised his hand and caressed her face with surprising tenderness.

"You are an enigma, Elena," he murmured, his voice low and introspective. "And I intend to decipher every piece of you."

Those words carried a promise, but also a veiled threat. Elena felt a shiver run down her spine, but she didn’t look away. There was a new determination growing inside her, a desire to better understand this man who had ensnared her in his web of power and desire.

"Evan," she began, hesitant. "Why are you doing this? Why expose me like this, test me this way?"

He smiled, but it was a joyless smile, full of something dark and complex.

"Because you have potential, pet. Potential to be much more than you think you are. But for that, you need to be broken and rebuilt. You need to face your fears and rid yourself of the weaknesses that hold you back."

Elena didn’t know if those words were for her benefit or if he was simply justifying his own cruelty.

"And now?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady. "What do you expect from me?"

Evan stepped back a little, giving her space to breathe.

"Now, you will continue packing your bags. We will leave at dawn tomorrow. And remember, Elena, I will be watching your every move. Don’t think that this moment of... vulnerability changes anything."

He had reverted to the cruel, calculating man he always was. Without even looking at her again, the billionaire ordered:

"Put your clothes back on. I’ll be waiting in the living room."

And he left, leaving her standing there in the bedroom.

Elena bit her lip and looked down again.

Rose petals...

She hated feeling that he was right.