The day had been long, and Vivie was exhausted, but she refused to show any weakness in front of Ashton. After dinner, he had retreated to his office, leaving her alone in the vast mansion that was now her prison. She hated the suffocating silence, the way the grand chandeliers cast long shadows against the cold marble floors. The air felt too still, too controlled, as if it were another one of Ashton’s unspoken rules.

She couldn’t sit still. Pacing around the living room, she kicked off her heels, letting the cool marble soothe her aching feet. Just as she reached for a book on the shelf—anything to distract her from the emptiness—she heard heavy footsteps behind her.

“You’re restless,” Ashton observed, leaning against the doorway, arms crossed. His voice was as smooth as ever, laced with amusement.

Vivie turned, scowling. “I don’t need your commentary.”

His lips curled into a smirk. “And yet, you always respond.”

She clenched her fists. “Maybe because you always have something infuriating to say.”

He strolled closer, his presence looming. “Or maybe you enjoy arguing with me.”

Vivie scoffed, stepping back. “The only thing I enjoy is not seeing your face.”

“Then why do you always seem to seek me out?”

“I don’t,” she snapped. “You just appear everywhere like a bad omen.”

Ashton chuckled. “I own this house. I have every right to be anywhere I please.”

“Well, congratulations. Do you want a medal?” she muttered, turning her back on him and plopping onto the couch. She grabbed a pillow and squeezed it, willing herself to ignore him, but Ashton wasn’t one to be ignored.

His smirk faded, and he studied her for a long moment. “You’re acting like a spoiled child.”

Vivie’s head snapped up. “Excuse me?”

He tilted his head, looking completely unbothered. “You heard me.”

Her jaw clenched. “I wouldn’t be here in the first place if it weren’t for my brother’s stupidity and your ridiculous rules.”

He leaned against the back of the couch, his fingers grazing the edge of her armrest. The proximity made her heart beat faster, though she refused to acknowledge it. “Rules keep you alive.”

Vivie rolled her eyes. “Rules keep me caged.”

Ashton sighed, his voice turning more measured. “Are we going to do this every night? You argue. I counter. You threaten to stab me. I ignore you. It’s getting predictable.”

“Then maybe stop being so controlling.”

He gave a humorless chuckle. “That’s not going to happen.”

Vivie crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at him. “Then you better get used to me fighting back.”

Ashton regarded her silently for a moment before pushing off the couch. “Suit yourself, Sinclair.”

But Vivie wasn’t finished. “You know what your problem is?” she called after him.

He paused at the door, turning slightly. “Do tell.”

“You think you can control everyone just because you’re rich and powerful. But let me tell you something—money and guns don’t make you invincible.”

His jaw ticked, but his voice remained eerily calm. “And you think defiance makes you brave?”

She stood up, closing the space between them. “I think standing up for myself makes me human. Something you clearly struggle with.”

For the first time, Ashton’s smirk disappeared completely. He stepped toward her, eyes dark and intense. “Careful, Vivie.”

Her breath hitched, but she refused to back down. “Or what? You’ll lock me up?”

His gaze held hers for a long moment before he exhaled sharply. “Go to bed, Vivie.”

It wasn’t a suggestion.

But Vivie, as always, had no intention of obeying. She let him walk away this time, but as she watched his retreating figure, she knew one thing for certain.

This war between them was far from over.