Ever since that afternoon, Sara had committed herself to becoming the perfect lover—focusing entirely on pleasing Nick physically, ensuring that the blond enjoyed every moment with her.
It was the only way she could secure her stay in the mansion and stay far from the agency's claws. As long as she kept Nick satisfied, the agency remained quiet. The spy-servant, however, never stopped watching her, always making sure she knew he was keeping track of her every move.
Sara only spoke when Nick asked her something directly. She tried to remain sensual at all times, kept a strict diet, and trained daily at the gym to maintain her figure attractive and desirable. At the same time, she kept her mind sharp, studying art and science in the library.
Quiet. Obedient. Loyal. Desirable. Perfectly attractive.
That was who Sara had to be—because she was a girl, and excessively "sexy" by their standards. To survive, she simply had to bury her feelings, her true self. Only then could she endure.
Surprisingly, being intimate with Nick wasn't always unbearable. Sometimes she even found herself enjoying it. But she could never show who she really was or how she truly felt.
She had tried once—and it had nearly gotten her sent back to the agency. Nick, disappointed, had almost rejected her. And the agency's spy had beaten her. He had threatened to drag her back into that hell if her "golden master" ever felt let down again.
So now, Sara didn't even cry anymore. She hid her desperation behind a flawless smile.
Nick kept trying to reach her heart, but he always failed. At first, he seemed more than satisfied. But as the days passed, it wasn't enough. Not for him.
Sex wasn't what he wanted.
He wanted Sara's heart.
He craved her love. Desperately.
But she had built an unbreakable wall between them.
That evening, they had dinner together—Nick, Sara, and Mr. Archer. The father had made time to share a meal with his son. Sara watched them quietly, witnessing the deep, genuine bond between father and son. The way they laughed, teased each other, shared their day—it reminded her of what she had lost.
Her family. Her warmth. Her past.
She clenched her utensils tightly and stared at the food on her plate. The anguish rose in her throat, choking her. But she forced herself to maintain her cold, flawless expression. The perfect maiden.
As Nick and his father laughed together, Sara kept up the performance. And all the while, she noticed the agency's spy circling nearby, never far from sight.
Love. That was something she had lost the moment she became an orphan.
Nick tried to include her in the conversation.
"So, Sara—what do you enjoy doing the most?" he asked with a smile.
"Whatever you like, Nick."
"What? Come on, I'm being serious. Do you like any sports? Any art forms?"
"Whatever you think is best for me… that's fine."
Her voice was soft, submissive. Empty.
Nick stared at her in disbelief. She sounded like an automaton. Not the girl he once loved. And it tore him apart.
"Maybe to others, you're the perfect girl, Sara—but not to me. I want your love. Your trust. But I see now that it's impossible. Damn it."
He stood up and stormed off, heading to his room in anger.
Sara's eyes widened, and tears of terror streamed down her cheeks. She trembled.
"Nick!" she cried out—but he didn't turn back.
Sara looked at Mr. Archer, who for the first time seemed to see her for who she really was.
"Please… tell Nick I'll try harder. Please, just give me another chance!"
"Sara, calm down," Mr. Archer said gently. "Let Nick cool off. He'll be fine."
"But… but… I don't know what more he wants from me. I swear I'm trying my best to be perfect. I swear—"
"Yes, Sara. I know, and so does my son. That's the problem. You're trying to be someone you're not. That's why Nick reacted the way he did."
"I don't understand…"
"My son wants the girl he once knew—the one he fell in love with."
Sara lowered her gaze in submission, resigned to her fate.
"Go, Sara. Do whatever you need to relax. I promise, my son will come back to you. He loves you far more than you realize."
But Sara didn't want to be alone.
She knew that being alone meant danger. And unfortunately, Mr. Archer left.
She tried to make her way to Nick's room, but the agency spy intercepted her. He grabbed her roughly and shoved her against the wall with furious force.
"You worthless wretch. You're disgracing the agency."
"You again…" she hissed, clutching her sore cheek.
"I see you've kept your mouth shut. Good. But don't forget your place."
He grabbed her by the hair, yanking her head back violently.
"Remember: quiet. Obedient. Loyal."
He threw her to the floor with disgust.
"You filthy whore. You don't deserve to live, but the agency profited off you. Just so you know, I'm leaving this mansion… but don't celebrate. There are others here who work for us. They'll keep watching you."
Then he walked away, leaving Sara in pieces.
Trembling, she rose to her feet and headed to Nick's room.
She hated being so submissive. But what else could she do?
Nick didn't protect her.
He was obsessed with her. Infatuated. But he didn't see her. If he truly loved her, he would have realized something was wrong.
Still, she had to tell him something. Something important.
She knocked on his door. No response.
She knocked again and heard his muffled voice:
"Go away, Sara."
She opened the door anyway. Nick stood in front of the fireplace, its flames glowing around him. Sara stepped inside and locked the door behind her. She approached him, cautiously.
When she tried to touch him, he pulled away sharply.
It stung.
"If you love me, Nick… please don't do this…"
"I'm tired of your empty answers, Sara."
"Nick… please… help me…"
"Why should I?"
"What? What do you mean?"
"Sara," he said coldly, "shut up. I don't care anymore."
"What…?" Her tears began to fall.
"You heard me. I begged you. I pleaded for honesty. But you built a wall between us. Damn it."
"Nick, for God's sake… can't you see I'm a prisoner?"
"No, Sara. You're not. My father and I never treated you badly."
"It's not you…"
"It's too late, Sara. I don't care."
"Are you… are you going to send me back to the agency?"
"Maybe."
Sara ran out of the room in tears.
Moments later, the butler entered Nick's room with a letter in hand.
"Young master, a letter arrived. For Miss Sara."
He handed Nick the envelope and left.
Nick opened it… and his face went pale.
Sara was pregnant. Two months along.
And he was the father.
Twins.