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The silence between them was deafening, filled with the echoes of his refusal and the thundering of her heart. "Why not?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Vice didn't answer immediately. Instead, he stared into the distance, his eyes reflecting the moonlight that streamed in from the window. "You wouldn't understand," he said finally, his tone resigned.

"Let me decide that" Ivy responded, reaching out to touch his hand. "Let me in, Vice."

Her voice was a soothing balm, and for a moment, he wavered. The desire to share his burden, to show her the monster beneath the mask was almost unbearable. But he knew that once she saw, she would never look at him the same way again. The fear of rejection was a cold knife in his gut.

With a roar of frustration, he ripped away from her.

Vice's sudden withdrawal was like a slap in the face. He shot out of the bed, his muscles taut with anger and fear. "I said no," he snarled, his voice low and menacing.

The door to the room slammed shut with a thunderous finality, the echo reverberating through the room. Ivy sat up, the sheet clutched to her chest, watching him storm away. Her heart raced, a mix of confusion and rejection flooding her.

The silence that followed was stark, filled with the heavy weight of unspoken words and unanswered questions. She knew pushing him had been a risk, but she had seen the flicker of something more within him. The man who loved turtles and felt the warmth of human affection.

Ivy sat up in the now cold bed, the sheet slipping away from her naked body. The chilly air of the room was a stark contrast to the heat of their previous encounter.

Chapter 20:

The sun had barely risen when Ivy awoke to find the bed cold beside her. Vice had not returned after their intense encounter. A shiver snaked down her spine despite the lingering warmth of the sheets. She stretched out her hand, her fingers searching for the familiar heat of his body, only to grasp the emptiness where he should have been. The events of the previous night played out in her mind like a tumultuous dream, a chaotic collage of passion and whispered secrets, leaving her feeling both hopeful and wary.

She slipped out of bed, her bare feet whispering against the cool stone floor. The castle was eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the passionate storm that had raged within its walls only hours before. The only sounds were the distant echoes of the night’s residual tension, a palpable weight that seemed to cling to the very air. The silence felt heavy, expectant.

Ivy knew she had to act fast. Today was Vice’s birthday. She wanted to show him that she saw more than just the monster.

The kitchen had the faint smell of grease that clung to the stone walls. Sunlight streamed in through a high window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. She had managed to bake and decorate the cake, a simple but heartfelt creation, hiding it in the bread box. She then hurried back to her room to get ready, her heart racing with anticipation and a tremor of anxiety.

The dress she had chosen was a deep red. It hugged her curves, emphasizing her waist and hips, and ended in a daring slit. Her stomach fluttered with a mix of nerves and excitement as she made her way to the grand dining hall. She had spenthours agonizing over what to wear. As she descended the grand staircase, her black heels clicking against the cold stone in a rhythmic cadence, she caught a glimpse of him. He was dressed in his usual attire, a stark black that seemed to absorb the light, making him seem even more menacing in the dimly lit room. He sat with his back to her, seemingly lost in thought. So much so he didn't hear her come in.

Ivy took a deep breath and stepped closer, feeling the warmth of the candles on her skin. She had to admit, there was something about him that drew her in. Something she couldn't quite place, but it was there, pulsing like a heartbeat in the background of her mind. The villain who held her captive had become something else. Something... more.

With a gentle touch, she leaned in and placed a kiss on his cheek, her fingers lightly brushed against his jaw. The softness of her lips was a stark contrast to the harshness of his stubble. The suddenness of it took him by surprise. His head whipped around, his piercing blue eyes locking onto hers.

“Good evening, Vice," she said, she infused her voice with a soft, almost teasing, tone.

He stared at her, his jaw clenched, his usually expressionless face showed a flicker of surprise. "What's gotten into you?" his voice a low rumble, his eyes raking over her form in the red dress with an intensity that made her skin prickle.

"It’s a special night," Ivy replied, her voice a mix of sweetness and seduction.

Vice stared at Ivy, his gaze seemed to penetrate her very soul, searching for the truth she kept hidden beneath layers ofcharm and deception. "You're hiding something," he accused, his voice was low and dangerous, a warning.

"I'm not," Ivy replied, her smile fading only slightly. She tried to keep her voice light, her eyes shimmering with excitement she couldn't fully conceal. "I just had a... relaxing day."

Vice's gaze was unrelenting, his eyes searching hers for any tell that would betray her true intentions. "Relaxing?" He echoed her words, his voice laced with skepticism and a hint of something else, something that sounded almost like...curiosity?

Ivy nodded, her smile unwavering. "Yes, I took a bath, read a book," she shrugged, her eyes sparkling with the mischief she was trying to keep at bay. "It's just that today is special, you know."

Vice leaned back in his chair, his expression still guarded. "Is it?" he questioned, his voice a rumble of thunder in the quiet room.

"It's you're birthday," Ivy said simply, watching as realization dawned in his eyes. She couldn’t quite read his reaction. Was it anger, surprise, or something else entirely?

Vice's gaze narrowed, his expression unreadable. "How did you know?" he demanded, his voice a low growl that sent a shiver down her spine.

"It's not exactly a secret," she said lightly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Everyone has a birthday. I just thought it would be nice to celebrate.”

Vice's eyes searched hers, the tension in the air thick enough to cut with a knife. "Nice," he repeated, the word a sneeron his lips. His anger grew with each passing second, a tempest brewing in his chest. The idea of her prying into his personal life, of her knowing something that no one knew infuriated him.

"You've been going through my things," he accused, his voice like a whip cracking, making Ivy flinch.