Chapter 14

The Morning Symphony

The operating rooms hummed with focused energy that morning, and Elias moved through them like a maestro conducting a symphony only he could hear.

In the first surgery — a complex spinal tumor resection — his hands performed with breathtaking precision. Every incision was clean, every movement deliberate and graceful, as if the human body itself bent to his will. Lena stood beside him, assisting, her eyes wide with quiet wonder. She had seen many skilled surgeons, but Elias was something else entirely. He operated with an almost artistic elegance, his scalpel dancing where others would hesitate. When the tumor was removed cleanly and the patient’s vitals remained stable, the entire team broke into spontaneous applause. “Brilliant as always, Dr. Voss,” one of the senior surgeons said with genuine admiration. Elias simply nodded with quiet humility, but Lena caught the faint, satisfied curve of his lips.

She wondered, as the clapping filled the room, if any of them truly knew the man behind the genius. Did they know he held his resident captive? That the brilliant surgeon they applauded kept her as a willing yet unwilling prisoner in his estate, controlling her every move, her body, her pleasure, and her freedom?

The contrast left her dizzy.

Between the second and third surgeries, Elias gently took her hand and led her to the small private rest room adjacent to the operating wing. Lena’s heart raced, her body already anticipating another intense, stolen moment of intimacy. But Elias surprised her. He sat her down on the comfortable couch, opened a small insulated container, and began feeding her with his own hand — tender pieces of grilled chicken, fresh avocado, and nutrient-rich berries. His touch was loving and patient, wiping a crumb from the corner of her mouth with his thumb, his eyes soft as he watched her eat.

“You’re doing beautifully today,” he murmured, stroking her cheek. “I’m so proud of you, my love.”

Lena’s heart fluttered at the tenderness. Between one surgery and the next, in the middle of this high-pressure world, he was still caring for her like this.

As she finished the last bite, she gathered her courage and asked the question that had been lingering in her mind since the previous night.

“Master ... where are your parents? You’ve never spoken about them.”

Elias’s hand paused for the briefest moment on her cheek. His expression remained calm, but something deeper flickered behind his eyes.

“They are both alive,” he said quietly. “Living in a private estate in Switzerland. They prefer solitude now.”

Lena blinked in surprise. She had assumed they were gone, given how little he spoke of them.

Elias studied her reaction, then added softly, “Would you like to meet them one day?”

The question felt very weird to Lena. She couldn’t quite place why, but the idea of meeting Elias’s parents — the people who had raised this complex, controlling man — sent a strange shiver through her.

“Yes ... I think so,” she replied hesitantly.

Elias smiled faintly and kissed her forehead.

“Then we will arrange it. When the time is right.”

He helped her to her feet, straightened her scrubs, and led her back into the operating room — once again the brilliant, untouchable surgeon the world adored.

And Lena followed, carrying both his public brilliance and his private darkness inside her, now wondering about the family that had shaped the man who owned her completely.

At precisely 1 p.m., Elias looked up from the surgical monitors and gave Lena a small nod.

“You may go to the residence area now,” he said quietly, so only she could hear. “Eat a complete lunch. Then you can go out with Alicia. Remember — Thomas will drive you, and you must be back by 4 p.m.”

Lena nodded, a flicker of excitement mixing with her usual nervousness. “Yes, Master.”

As she exited the operating room and walked down the long corridor toward the residence wing, Martha appeared beside her, matching her pace with a concerned expression.

“Lena,” Martha said softly, glancing around to make sure they were alone. “Are you okay? I haven’t seen you the last two days, and I was worried. Is everything alright?”

Lena’s steps faltered for a moment. Martha’s genuine worry touched something deep inside her — a reminder that not everyone in this estate was blind to what was happening. She forced a small smile, trying to keep her voice steady.

“I’m fine, Martha. Just ... a lot of long hours and studying. The surgeries have been intense lately.”

Martha didn’t look entirely convinced. She reached out and gently squeezed Lena’s arm.

“If you ever need to talk ... about anything ... I’m here. You know that, right? You don’t have to carry everything alone.”

Lena felt a lump form in her throat. For a brief second, she wanted to tell her everything — the control, the punishments, the way Elias owned every part of her life. But the words wouldn’t come. The fear of what Elias might do — to her, to Martha, to anyone who got too close — held her tongue.

“Thank you,” she whispered instead. “I really appreciate it.”

Martha gave her one last worried look before letting her go.

Lena continued walking toward the residence, her heart heavy. Even in this small moment of kindness, she felt the invisible walls Elias had built around her closing in tighter.

And no one — not even Martha — could truly save her from that.

Afternoon at the Lake Café

At two o’clock that afternoon, Thomas drove Lena and Alicia to a beautiful lakeside café on the edge of the city. The terrace overlooked a serene blue lake surrounded by flowering cherry trees and weeping willows whose branches dipped gracefully toward the water. White linen umbrellas fluttered gently in the breeze, and soft classical music played from hidden speakers. For the first time in a long while, Lena felt relatively safe — away from the constant surveillance of the estate cameras, even if Thomas remained discreetly nearby in the car.

They chose a quiet corner table with a perfect view of the water. Alicia, clearly excited to be out with her, ordered a fragrant lavender latte and a slice of lemon blueberry cake. Lena chose a soothing chamomile tea and a fresh fruit tart drizzled with honey. For nearly two hours, they talked easily, the conversation flowing like the gentle waves on the lake.

Alicia was open and warm.

“I’ve worked at the estate for three years now,” she said, smiling brightly as she took a sip of her latte. “It completely changed my life. Dr. Voss gave me the job when I was struggling. He’s always been so kind — paid for my mother’s surgery last year without me even asking. I feel very lucky.”

Lena listened carefully, her fingers tracing the rim of her teacup.

“Can I ask you something?” Lena hesitated briefly not sure how to ask. “Have you ever seen him act ... strange? Or unprofessional?” she asked, trying to keep her tone light.

Alicia shook her head immediately.

“Never. He’s always professional with everyone. Polite, even if he’s a bit distant. Everyone respects him so much. He’s like a father figure to some of the younger staff.”

Then Alicia lowered her voice slightly, leaning in.

“Though ... occasionally there are strange private parties at the estate. I’m not allowed to attend them. Only certain senior staff serve those events. The guests are ... different. Very wealthy, very quiet. They arrive in black cars with tinted windows. I don’t know what happens there, but it always feels ... secretive. Almost mysterious.”

Lena felt nervous.

“Has Dr. Voss ... ever brought a woman to his bedroom? Or have you seen any women staying with him?”

Alicia shook her head immediately, looking a little surprised by the question.

“During the three years I’ve been serving him, no woman has ever been to his bedroom. Not once. He’s always been very private about that area.”

Then Alicia lowered her voice a little, as if sharing a small secret.

“But ... occasionally, I have seen a woman appear from the basement with him. Late at night, usually. They look ... different. Quiet. Sometimes they seem tired or disoriented. I don’t know who they are or what happens down there, but it always feels strange. I’m never allowed near that part of the estate.”

Dr. Voss is very strict about his privacy Lena. Every staff is given a precise map of the estate as to where they are allowed to be or not allowed. Everyone signs a strict NDA.”

Lena’s heart beat faster, but she kept her expression neutral, nodding as if it were casual gossip. The revelation sent a chill through her, but she didn’t press further.

Alicia smiled again, changing the subject with a happy sigh.

“My husband also works for Dr. Voss — he’s one of the construction workers maintaining the grounds and buildings. We’re happily married. Dr. Voss even helped us with our wedding costs. He’s been very good to us.”