Page 45

L ogan hasn’t left my side and with my pride finally stripping away, I’m honestly not complaining.

This way, Lana wouldn’t be alone and neither would I.

But just minutes ago, after a dozen phone calls and texts, Logan had to rush out.

The alarm at his garage had been tripped.

Which is odd considering Sunlight Creek would be last on the list for burglaries and theft.

The burning apprehension on Logan’s face was painfully obvious when he had to leave.

With Lana at the studio, he insisted on Crew coming over until he got back.

So, with a glass of wine in my hand, I try to relax. But it’s the reflection of a man in the kitchen window that has me crying out in a vicious scream.

“Hello, darling.”

An out of control, twisting fear slams into me. I drop the glass, causing it to shatter. That voice. The voice of a monster disguising himself as a man rips through the dimmed room.

No.

My cold, clammy hands grip the edge of the kitchen counter behind me all while I stare into the devilish eyes belonging to my husband. But he’ll never be that person for me. Logan is that person for me. And there’s a sense of proof rushing through me as I’d rather die than be with Jason.

“You know…” He runs a hand down his suit pants, straightening any invisible wrinkles. “This behavior of yours is shocking.”

I try to back up when he steps closer, but there’s nowhere to go. “What are you doing here?” Stupid question. I know why he’s here.

He tilts his head. “What do you mean? I came to collect my wife.”

A shaky breath leaves me. “I am not your wife anymore. It’s over.”

A piercing laugh erupts, filling the quiet space. “I’m afraid that’s not how this works, my dear.” His tailored suit fits perfectly as he straightens his tie before placing his hands inside the pockets of his jacket. He looks around in a stoic expression. “This is a disgrace.”

The terror deflates, replaced with a dose of anger. “It’s not a disgrace. It’s my home.”

Another sadistic laugh escapes him. “Your home is with me. At the mansion. Where we will be returning to.” Jason holds out a hand, expecting me to take it and happily walk out of here with him.

Fuck that.

“I am not going anywhere with you. So, you can just get the fuck out.”

My heart skips when he slowly starts prowling toward me.

“What is the meaning of this, Sora? Have I not given you everything you could’ve ever wanted?

A roof over your head. Designer clothing at your leisure.

You needed money, I gave you endless. You wanted to go out, I allowed you to see your girlfriends.

I gave you everything.” His voice is not as cool and collective as before. It’s laced with dangerous evil.

“Girlfriends? You mean your colleague’s wives. They were never my friends. I didn’t get to have a say who my friends were. And let’s not forget your friends paying you to try to fuck me.”

He smiles. The prick smiles and anger rams into me. Fear gone. I’m left with pure rage.

“Sora. You’re forgetting one important detail. That was all part of the deal when your low life stepfather sold you. I have a say in everything that involves you. Who you see, where you go, who I allow to fuck you.”

Disgust rolls through my veins. “I must have missed the fine print when I married you. But guess what, you can go fuck yourself because I’d rather be dead than go back with you.” Disdain drips from my tongue, but nothing can prepare me for his reaction.

He lands a quick, hard slap to my cheek. The after burn sets my face on fire. He’s never hit me before. There were other ways he showed his demon side, but never this.

With his face inches from mine, his dark, lifeless eyes bore into me.

“You will come back with me because if you don’t, I will burn everyone you care about to the ground.

Your friend, Lana. That old hag at the coffee shop.

” He rubs his hand through the loose hair over my shoulder, then grips it tight, yanking my head back.

“I will destroy them all, including that man you choose to whore yourself off to.”

I try to yank free of his grip, but it’s useless. His body is caging me to the counter, pressing my back into the edges. I want to scream out in pain, but I refuse to show him weakness.

“So. I will tell you again. You will come home with me and tonight, you’re going to sleep in my bed, and fuck me until I say we’re finished like the good wife you’re supposed to be. Do you understand?”

I don’t realize the tears running down my face until I feel them. So much for not showing weakness.

He jerks my head back more, and the pain climbs over my scalp. “Do you understand?”

The loathe I carry for this man is astronomically heavy. My nostrils flare in disgust and anger, but I’m powerless.

This man will end my new life regardless so here goes nothing. I bring my arm back before releasing my fist on Jason’s jaw, just how Logan taught me and he stumbles back, shaking the stars from him. A shooting throb remains on my hand, but damn did that feel good.

He holds his face in an agonizing pain and his roaring yell echoes off the walls.

I make a run for it. But here I am as I whip open the door, coming face to face with another man who blocks my path and Jason, after righting himself, grabs me from behind.

It should be the sting from his grip on me that has me wailing but instead, it’s the devastation that rips me apart. Knowing that I am going with him.

“There will be no fucking games. Let’s go.” His voice in shambles as he tries to regain composure. At least I can gain some satisfaction from the way he winces with me in his imprisoned arms.

He pulls me to a stop and forces me to spin in his arms. His grip tightens my jaw. “Fucking kiss me.”

Nausea swirls around in the pit of my stomach, but he doesn’t give me a choice.

His mouth crashes into mine. It’s not like Logan’s kiss.

Not powerful, in a sense, like my body becomes weak.

Aching with desire at his touch. No. This is repulsion.

He’s a monster especially since I know that blow hurt worse than he lets on.

He breaks apart, still holding my face captive. “You’re fiery tonight. I missed you.”

I cockishly smirk. “I wish I can say the same about you,” I spit in fury.

He smiles. “Don’t worry. It’ll all be back to normal soon enough.” He steps away, allowing me to breathe slightly, but I find myself on the verge of a panic attack.

The outside is spinning, and my head turns foggy.

Jason grabs my arm, pushing me inside his blacked-out Cadillac, forcing me from the place I call home. From the memories I never want to forget. If I never get to see Lana or Logan again, I will die. I just know it. I can’t live with Jason again. I won’t survive it.

Jason’s scent fills the back seat as he scoots in next to me. Heavy cologne mixed with a cigar. He adjusts himself in his seat, subtly rubbing his jaw with labored breaths. He can try to mask his pain, but I know it’s there.

“Everyone will be excited to see you.” He lays a grimy hand on my thigh, and I swallow back the bile.

They’ll be excited only if he orders them to be. I stare out the backseat window, realizing my body is slowly becoming numb. Numb is good.

Tears silently fall from my eyes, stinging the open cut on the way down. This is it. My fate.

And I’m already dead.

Time stood still the entire way to the mansion. When the car stops, our driver gets out and opens Jason’s door.

It was hours of painful torment. Sharing the same space as Jason for that long, made me wish I could open my door and throw my body out onto the streets.

The night air hits me, and I breathe in, savoring it.

I am numb and aware of what awaited me inside.

There would be no more baking at the coffee shop.

No more talks and laughs with Lana. No balcony meets with the man who showed me how a relationship was supposed to be.

Who, with one touch, made me feel the most alive I had ever been.

The immediate pain in my chest slams into me like a ton of bricks. Nausea swirling, threatening to rise from the pits of my stomach. The worst part? I’m unable to do a damn thing about it. This is and will forever be what my future holds.

Jason leans in, peering into the car, holding out a hand for me to take. “Come, darling.”

I wanted to smack his hand away. Well, I’d like to do worse, like take it, squeeze and twist until I hear bones crack. But instead, I scoot over, and place mine in his, letting him guide me to his side.

I am slowly dying as we make our way to the front door of the mansion. Before entering, a cherry red Ferrari parked on the side catches my attention, and I pause with recognition.

Motherfucker had eyes on me this whole time.

Inside, it smells the same. Rich and sterile.

Audrey, the main housekeeper, scurries quickly to greet us.

Her surprised yet sorrowful eyes meet mine.

I liked her. She was good to me. It’s not like we had a tight relationship, but we shared a few small talks in the mornings at breakfast. After all, it was always just me.

Jason is always off on business during the days.

She does a small head bow, then locks eyes with mine. This time, they flash with pity. “Miss, Sora. It’s good to see you’re back. May I take your things?”

Next to me, Jason fixes his suit discussing something with one of his men who keeps side eyeing me in between takes.

“Hello. Audrey. It’s good to see you, too. And no, that won’t be necessary, as it seems I was brought here against my will. I have no things.”

We share a look of apprehension before she runs off to attend to something probably ridiculous, such as pairing my husband's socks.

“Why don’t you freshen up, my wife, and we’ll have a late dinner together.” He keeps saying wife with a ridiculous undertone of snark.

I continue staring ahead, trying to avoid looking at his face as much as possible. I thought I hated him before. This is a whole new level of loathing now.

“You never eat with me,” I state, because it was true. I hoped our interactions would remain as sporadic as before. But I suppose he’s punishing me.

“What kind of husband would that make me if I don’t dine with my wife?”

A tolerable one.

“I can’t wait.” I throw a sarcastic snarl his way and attempt to step forward toward my room, but he grabs my chin with a harsh squeeze.

“You wipe that sarcasm from your mouth and show your husband respect. Trust me, it’ll make things a lot easier for you.”

He steps closer, my chin still pained in his grip. “Things are going to be different around here. You and me. Get used to it.” He forces an aggressive kiss on me before finally letting go. “You taste like a whore.”

Die. You bastard.

Upstairs, there’s already a dress laid out for me.

But I’m unable to find the will to change.

I want to scream. Cry. Smash something. The anger boiling inside is enough to do something I believe I wouldn’t regret.

Not at this point. I’m too far gone—too furious.

Thirsty for revenge. The terrified feeling I am harvesting turns into a crazy rage.

And I am close to ending my husband’s life.

What can I do? Poison. Knife to the throat. Am I even capable of taking another life?

Then, when all my senses finally crack, I let out a hysterical laugh.

Audrey walks in but stops abruptly by the doorway, watching me with a questionable look. Tears slip out and my jest of laughter slowly turns into a painful cry and then a sob.

I’m losing it. I’m losing my sanity bit by bit.

“Um. Miss Sora. Are you all right?”

I catch my breath in between the sobbing. “Audrey… with all due respect, does it look like I’m all right?” I fall to my knees with palms on the floor, and I hunch over, letting my tears land on the hardwood beneath me.

The housekeeper crouches down beside me and places a hand on my back.

“I’m sorry.” I sniff. “I shouldn’t have snapped at you. It’s just…”

“I know. It’s all right. Can I get you tea?”

I glance over at her—the kindness in her eyes is the only true one here. “That would be nice. Thank you.”

She smiles, but it’s not one that reaches her eyes. She rises, leaving me to weep like a pathetic soul on the floor.