"Th-thank you, master," she managed to choke out between sobs. The words tasted like bile in her mouth, but she forced them out anyway. Her emerald eyes squeezed shut tightly against the pain and humiliation, tears streaming down her face as she struggled to catch her breath.

She couldn't take much more of this; she had to find a way out, or at least find some way to make him stop. But for now, all she could do was endure.

Shepard choked on her own sobs as she forced herself to speak the words she knew would demean and humiliate her further. "Thank you," she managed to croak between gasps for air, her voice barely audible over the pounding of the treadmill. "I'm... grateful." Her emerald eyes squeezed shut tighter as tears streamed down her face, her body trembling with exhaustion and revulsion. But she couldn't stop; if she did, he would only make it worse.

She followed him silently, still not entirely comfortable with the situation but grateful for the safety and temporary reprieve they had found. Once in their room at the hotel, she examined it cautiously before sitting down on one of the beds to rest. As much as she wanted to trust him and relax, her instincts kept her on edge, ready for anything.

"Thank you," she said softly after a moment. "For finding us a place like this."

Jane nodded slightly and stood up, moving over to the bathroom door. "I'll be back in a while," she said, her voice quiet and uncertain. Closing the door behind her, she leaned against it for a moment before turning on the water and stepping into the shower. The hot spray felt good against her skin, helping her to relax some despite the circumstances.

As she lathered up her body, she couldn't help but wonder what would happen when they finally left this place. Would they go their separate ways?