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That night in bed, Michael touched and caressed her body while she deliberately stayed numb. She had thought he would go mad with anger, but it didn’t happen. She was learning that she could not predict him.

He tied her to the bed and continued his caresses over her nightdress until she could not fight the desire he was forcing on her. She gave in, begging him to take her, and he did, ripping off her coverings and ending up making love to her several times before the break of a new day.

In the following hours that ensued, in hopes of getting Michael to change his mind, Zee stayed polite and took her cooking lessons without drama.

That evening, with Michael present in the kitchen, she made the meal he had earlier expected from her.

He sat at the table watching her work diligently. There wa