Chapter 24 A Servant
Her gaze dropped to the girl's face. A cold shiver ran down her spine.
Her fingers brushed over the image, her voice shaking. “Is that…” Her voice broke, the word sticking in her throat. ‘Me’?
And then—
A flood of images slammed into her mind all at once. Ellie clutched her head, pain stabbing through her skull as memories flashed in a relentless stream.
Her childhood—racing through the house, calling Jessica ‘Mom’ and Jack ‘Dad.’ Growing up with Sawyer, falling in love. Then, the betrayal—Kelly, her supposed friend, luring her into this very house, attacking her, setting it on fire to kill her.
Ellie gasped, the agony intensifying as she remembered the flames. Kelly had also been caught in the fire. Her face had burned. And maybe, just maybe, that’s when the twisted idea took root.
When the real Olivia was never found, Kelly seized the opportunity. She went to the hospital under the name Olivia Whitlock and took her place. With a hefty bribe, she convinced the doctors to alter her face through plastic surgery. She was certain the real Olivia had been too badly burned to survive—let alone be recognizable.
She had stolen Olivia’s identity, stepping into this house with a lie that her face had been burned beyond recognition. And no one had questioned it.
A distant voice broke through the chaos in Ellie’s mind. She lifted her head to find Jessica staring down at her in concern.
"Ellie, are you okay?"
Ellie’s vision blurred, her lips parted, and the only word that escaped was, “Mom.”
Jessica’s eyes widened. Her fingers trembled as she searched Ellie’s gaze. The familiar glint in Ellie’s eyes was unmistakable.
“You’re… our Olivia?” Jessica’s voice shook.
Ellie didn’t answer. She threw herself into Jessica’s arms, hugging her tightly as sobs wracked her body. The dam of emotions broke, years of stolen time crashing over them.
Jack rushed over, and the moment he saw Ellie—the way she looked at him—he knew. Their daughter had come home.
But from a distance, another figure watched.
Kelly—still ‘Olivia’ in everyone else’s eyes—stood frozen. Hatred and panic flickered across her face, but then, her expression hardened.
"So what if that bitch has returned? I'm your daughter in front of the world. And since I’m your daughter, everything you have is mine." Her lips curled into a smirk as she turned and walked away.
Minutes later, flames erupted. Fire spread rapidly through the house, thick smoke curling into the sky. The scent of gasoline hung in the air.
A deafening explosion shook the walls.
Ellie’s breath caught. The horror of the past, the trauma of the fire she barely survived, flashed through her mind. The heat, the pain, the suffocating helplessness.
"Ellie!" Jack grabbed her just as her legs gave out, pulling her into his arms, the fire raged around them.
They had to get out. Fast.
Jessica’s sobs echoed through the chaos. "Why is this happening to us? Why again?" Tears streamed down her face as fear gripped her. She clutched Ellie tighter. They had just gotten their daughter back—how could they lose her again?
Outside, Kelly watched, a wide grin stretching across her face as flames consumed the house.
But her victory was short-lived.
A car roared onto the estate, headlights slicing through the smoke.
It was Sawyer.
Her smirk vanished. Panic flickered in her eyes as another car pulled in behind his. Henry was already on the phone, calling the police.
Sawyer jumped out of his car, and sprinted toward the burning house. Before he could rush inside, Kelly grabbed his arm.
"Sawyer, what are you doing?" she cried, feigning panic. "I—I don’t know what happened! I just got here, and saw the house on fire!"
Sawyer’s eyes darkened. “Ellie is inside, isn’t she?” His voice was deadly calm.
Kelly flinched. He knew. He knew everything.
Her mask cracked. Her expression turned cold in an instant, her grip loosening. Then, she smirked. “Yes.” She turned to the fire, eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "And no one’s coming out of there alive."
He shoved her aside, sending her crashing to the ground, before bolting into the inferno.
“Mr. Stark, wait!” Henry shouted, but Sawyer was already gone.
Inside, the fire raged. Smoke thickened the air, making it hard to see. Sawyer pushed forward, his pulse hammering. Then, through the haze, he spotted them—Ellie, Jack, and Jessica.
Jessica had thrown herself over Ellie’s unconscious body, shielding her as flames crackled around them. Jack struggled against a massive burning beam that had fallen, blocking their escape.
"I’m here, Mr. Whitlock!" Sawyer shouted, covering his mouth with his arm. "Step back!"
Jack did as told, and Sawyer lunged at the fallen beam, kicking it with everything he had. Pain seared through his leg as flames licked at his skin, but the beam toppled, creating a narrow escape.
“Let’s go!” he barked, grabbing Ellie in his arms as Jack and Jessica followed.
Just as they stumbled out, the blaring sirens of fire trucks and ambulances filled the air. Paramedics rushed to take Ellie, placing her on a stretcher.
Jessica gripped Ellie’s limp hand, tears streaming down her face. “Ellie, Mom is so, so sorry. I hurt you for that fake.” Her voice cracked as she whispered, “I’ll never let anyone take you from me again.”
***
The white hospital walls gleamed under the fluorescent lights, sterile and quiet. The room was empty except for a neatly made hospital bed in the center. The silence unsettled Ellie as she limped out of the washroom, her steps uneven.
Just then, footsteps sounded at the door—familiar ones.
Ellie's heart jumped. Without thinking, she rushed to the bed, wincing from the pain but making it just in time before the door opened.
Sawyer stepped inside, his sharp eyes immediately locking onto her. Behind him, Jeremy followed, his usual flirtatious smirk in place. Sawyer shot him an irritated glare, but Jeremy remained unfazed, strolling confidently toward Ellie.
"Ellie, how are you feeling now?" Jeremy asked, his voice smooth.
Ellie blinked as if just waking up. Her gaze swept the room, and then she saw Jessica and Jack walking in, both hiding their smiles at the sight of Sawyer in the room.
Sawyer set down the bouquet of flowers he had brought, placing it carefully beside her bed. Then he sat down next to her, took her hand in his, and looked at her with the saddest, most desperate puppy-dog eyes.
"Do you remember me now?" His voice was hopeful, pleading. "Any memories coming back?"
Ellie stared at him, then at their joined hands. In an instant, she yanked her hand back. Sitting up straight, she frowned.
"Hey! I already told you, I don’t know you. Why do you keep asking me that?"
Sawyer's already tense expression tightened even further. "It’s been three days. Why don’t you remember me? You even remembered your mom and dad."
Ellie shrugged casually. "Maybe because you weren’t good to me?"
Sawyer’s expression turned wounded. "I was good to you! I even gave you everything—my property, my money—just so you’d marry me."
"I don’t remember a thing," Ellie replied nonchalantly.
Sawyer’s face fell like a kicked puppy.
Then, her eyes drifted toward Jeremy. Her face lit up with a bright smile. She reached out and grabbed his hand, clutching his arm as she leaned into him.
"Husband! Where were you?" she said cheerfully.
Sawyer shot to his feet so fast his chair nearly toppled over. His eyes blazed with sheer horror and jealousy as he snapped his gaze between Jeremy and Ellie.
"What the hell did you just call him?"
"Husband," Ellie said innocently, then looked up at Jeremy with a sweet smile.
Jeremy met her gaze and nodded, bending slightly toward her. He took her hand in his, his thumb brushing over her skin soothingly.
"Sorry, Ellie. I got here as fast as I could. This man"—he jerked his thumb at Sawyer without breaking eye contact with her—"wasn’t letting me in. That’s why it took so long."
“What… the hell is happening right now?” Sawyer was losing his mind. The very look on his face said he was two seconds away from shaking Ellie so hard that her memories would snap back into place.
Ellie ignored him, cupping Jeremy’s face with both hands. “I don’t know, husband. This man,” she cast a wary glance at Sawyer before leaning in to whisper, “he keeps repeating ‘Do you remember me?’ But I have no idea who he is.”
Sawyer snapped.
He grabbed her hands from Jeremy’s face and yanked them away forcefully. In one swift motion, he pulled Ellie back, lifting her off and dragging her back onto the bed, putting as much distance between her and Jeremy as possible.
Pressing her back against his chest, his arms locked tightly around her waist, pinning her in place. His grip stretched wide, making sure not even a single part of her— not even her toes— was touching Jeremy.
He pulled her completely out of Jeremy’s reach. His arms stretched wide, creating a solid barrier between them. Then, with a firm grip, he cupped her face, tilting it up and forcing her to meet his eyes.
"I am your husband!"
Ellie scowled, pushing at his hands. "No, you’re not. In fact..." She narrowed her eyes. "I suddenly remember you telling me over and over—‘Don’t call me husband. I’m not your husband.’"
Sawyer froze. His face paled. Panic flashed in his eyes.
"I—No! I never meant it!" His grip on her tightened. "Forget that memory. It’s not real! From now on, you'll only call me your husband. No one else. Do you understand?"
Ellie huffed and turned away from him. "Why would I call you my husband when you’re not?" She turned to Jeremy, arms wide open. "Husband, let’s go."
Sawyer’s face burned hotter than ever. In a flash, he was off the bed. He lunged at Jeremy, grabbed him by the collar, and dragged him toward the door.
With one swift shove, he threw Jeremy out and barked, "Don’t come back! You’re not allowed near her until she remembers me."
He slammed the door shut.
Then, he turned back and yanked the door open again. "You’re not allowed near her even after she remembers everything. Get lost!"
Door slammed shut again.
He turned back to Ellie, and marched straight to the bed. He sat down beside her, pointing at his own face.
"Just stare at me," he said urgently. "If you stare long enough, you’ll remember me."
Ellie made a face of pure disgust and turned away. But a small smile curled at the corner of her lips—one she quickly hid. With a casual sigh, she muttered, "I want sushi."
Sawyer shot up. "I’ll get it for you. What else do you want? I’ll bring everything."
Ellie bit her lip, pretending to think. "Nothing else. Just that for now."
Sawyer bolted out of the room.
The next day, Ellie was discharged, but no matter how much Sawyer begged, she refused to go home with him. Instead, she moved in with Jack and Jessica.
So Sawyer did the only logical thing.
He shamelessly moved in too.
And that was how Sawyer’s seven days of slavery began.
"I bought this perfume for you," he said one evening, his eyes gleaming with almost desperate anticipation as he handed her a box. "You love this scent, right? I had it made just for you—exactly how you wanted. The bottle’s made of white gold, with pink diamonds and a ribbon of black diamonds. See, it’s all real."
Ellie’s eyes flickered to the bottle. It was very similar to the perfume bottle she had once described to him—the same one he had given to fake Olivia after their fight at the bar.
Ellie closed her eyes and turned away. "Okay. Put it on the table," she said casually.
Sawyer was just happy to be in the room with her, even if it was only for five minutes before she threw him out.
A few hours later, he was back.
"I bought this necklace for you," he said, "You love gold and emeralds, right? It has emeralds all around, set in white gold."
Ellie glanced at it, and muttered, “Okay.”
Then at dinner, he offered. "I brought you steak from that popular restaurant. I made sure they cooked it exactly how you like it."
Ellie nodded. "I’ll eat it."
He returned again, carrying a tray with different soups.
"You liked this one," he said, a hint of hope in his voice. "I made it for you myself."
Ellie shook her head. "I don’t remember."
Then he was back, carrying a photo album. "I found this from our childhood. We were always together. Do you remember this?"
Ellie glanced at it and shrugged. "Nothing brings back a memory."
Sawyer’s expression darkened, muttering under his breath. "She remembers her parents, her friends, and that fake fucking Olivia. She even remembers that damn model and calls him her husband. But this mad woman lived with me in my fucking bed for three years and doesn’t remember a thing about me?!"
Ellie had to fight to suppress a laugh, biting the inside of her cheek to stop herself. Keeping her face serious, she asked loudly, "Did you say something?"
Sawyer spun around at once, shaking his head with a forced smile. "Nothing. I was just thinking about what to bring you for lunch."
"What are you waiting for then? Go." Ellie shook her head at him dismissively.
Sawyer’s eyes narrowed, irritation flashing across his face.
In an instant, he marched toward her. He grabbed her by the waist, and spun her down onto the bed, climbing on top of her. One hand wrapped around her throat—not squeezing, just holding her still—while his lips hovered dangerously close to hers.
"Ellie Whitlock," he growled, his voice low and tense. "Stop treating me like your servant, will you? I'm your future husband!"
"I already have a hus—"
Before she could finish, his mouth was on her neck. His teeth sank into her skin, followed by the slow, soothing stroke of his tongue over the bite. A sharp gasp escaped Ellie’s lips as she whimpered, the sensation causing her to moan involuntarily.
"Only I can do this to you," Sawyer whispered against her skin, his lips trailing down her throat. His voice was rough, possessive. "And for that, you’re not getting another man. Even if I’m fucking dead."
Lifting his head, his intense gaze locked onto hers, his breath ragged and eyes intense.
"Now, say it again. Who am I?"
Ellie swallowed hard, her heart pounded, her breathing was uneven. His scent, that maddening mix of cologne and Sawyer’s body, clouded her thoughts. She wanted nothing more than to close the distance between them and kiss him, to feel his lips and pin him underneath herself.
"Sawyer…" Her voice was shaky, almost needy, but before she could finish, the sound of footsteps outside the door shattered the moment.
In a flash of instinct, she kicked Sawyer’s stomach, sending him stumbling back and off the bed. She flipped her head to the side, desperate to hide her burning face.
Sawyer scowled and blinked, ragged breaths escaping his lips. He barely felt the kick, but the shock of it left him reeling.
"Just get out and bring me food!" Ellie ordered, her voice unusually high-pitched.
Right then, Jessica walked in. Hearing Ellie’s tone, she raised an eyebrow.
"Ellie, don’t do that. Don’t order him around like that." Jessica scolded lightly.
Ellie glanced at Sawyer, who was standing frozen, eyes burning dark with desire. The expression on his face—obsessed and intense—was hard to miss. Jessica’s arrival had ruined whatever plans he had in mind. He was clearly dying inside, but Ellie was enjoying the chaos.
Ellie bit her lip, tucking her hair behind her ear. "It’s okay," she said with an exaggerated sigh. "You don’t have to bring me lunch. Just get out of my room."
In an instant, Sawyer was by her side again, his puppy eyes back, grabbing her hand.
"Don’t say that." He turned to Jessica quickly, "She’s not ordering me around, Mrs. Whitlock. Don’t say anything to her."
Then he looked back at Ellie, sincerity shining in his eyes. "I already told Henry to drop off your lunch. I’ll go grab it for you right now."
Ellie nodded, watching as he shot to his feet and practically sprinted out of the room, a little too eager to please her.
"Heh," Ellie grinned smugly, settling back on the bed.
Her hand instinctively reached up to touch the mark on her neck, brushing over the bite mark lightly. She winced slightly but smirked. She would get more neck kisses from him soon enough. But the chance to order around Sawyer Stark, the narcissistic tyrant, like her servant was too rare to pass up right now.
"Ellie, have you had enough now?" Jessica scolded with a laugh, a smile playing on her face. "Stop tormenting that poor man, it’s been a week already."
Ellie propped herself up on the bed and grinned at Jessica. "I will soon. But first, he needs to learn who his boss is."
Jessica sighed, shaking her head. "Sawyer’s been running around for you for seven days. He wakes up with you, goes to sleep with you. He’s living here more than we are, just so he can take care of you. He’s miserable at the thought of Jeremy coming in and taking you away."
Ellie burst out laughing.
"Ellie!" Jessica scolded. "You have to tell him now that you've been pretending to forget him. He's half out of his mind, freaking out, doing everything he can to make you remember him. And you won’t stop ordering him around! That’s not a good thing!"
"Ellie Whitlock!" The voice came from the doorway, making Ellie snap her eyes up in shock to see Sawyer at the door, seething.
He rushed in at once, grabbing Ellie and pulling her into him. "I knew you were lying!"
Ellie let out a laugh, pushing at his chest, but his hold was tight. "Sawyer, let go!" she chuckled, though there was a nervous edge to her voice.
Jessica tried to intervene. "You kids need to talk! Why are you wrestling with each other?"
Sawyer ignored her entirely, his focus solely on Ellie. He spun her around to face him, gripping her wrist tightly behind her back as she knelt on the bed. "You’re really starting to get on my nerves," he growled. "Seven damn days? Should I make you pay for it now?"
Ellie giggled. "No, you don't have a right. What are you going to do anyway? Stare at me and cry? Like when you used to when we were kids, and I refused to hold your hand?"
Jessica suppressed an amused smile before slipping quietly out of the room, leaving the two of them alone.
Sawyer’s expression darkened, the memory of their childhood flashing in his eyes. His grip on her tightened as he lowered his head, closing the distance between them. His heated gaze locked onto hers. Ellie’s smile faded, her heart skipping a beat.
“We aren’t kids anymore, Ellie,” he said, his voice rough, and dark with intent. “I have a lot more ways to make you cry underneath me.”
Ellie’s breath hitched, her pulse quickening. His words sent a shiver down her spine, but she forced herself to hold it together. Then, as his fingers grazed her stomach and slid up toward her chest, she snapped, but the voice came out all shaky.
“If you torment me this much, I won’t marry you!”
Sawyer’s expression shifted, his jaw tightening as her words reached him. He stopped immediately, his hand hovering over her chest, his eyes dark and intense. Ellie’s heart raced. But before she could take another breath, he was gone from her body, moving with a speed that made her head spin.
He suddenly dragged her off the bed, tossing her effortlessly over his shoulder, and stormed out of the room.
“Stop it, Sawyer! Where are you taking me? Hey!” Ellie squirmed, trying to free herself, but his grip was ironclad.
Sawyer’s hand slapped against her ass, the sharp sound echoing in the room. A growl rumbled in his chest in response to her protests.
“To get married right now!” he declared.