Page 19

I was furious, eyes blazing red as I clenched my jaw and balled my fists. My chest was heaving slowly, and my face contorted into a frown as I paced back and forth. I gritted my teeth, trying to curtail my rage, a hand ruffling through my hair.

She stood there in front of me, silent, with her head bowed and eyes dropping to the floor. Her shoulders were slumped, and she chewed on her nails, a glint of remorse mixed with fear flashing across her face.

She'd stepped into the house about two minutes ago and met me standing in the living room, seething silently. I was too angry to speak, my hands shaking as I felt the spark of rage jolting through my body.

She hadn't said a word, either, and I could sense her anxiety—could smell her terror even though she tried to mask it with a straight face.

I hated that she’d made me worry so much about her safety and the baby's. However, I couldn't help but wonder who she was out with.

“Where were you?” I questioned, my voice low but filled with rage.

She was quiet, still avoiding my gaze. Her eyes roamed the room, lips pursed into a fine line.

Was she ignoring me?

I knew she wasn't. She was probably afraid to respond; nevertheless, her silence only infuriated me even more.

“Where were you, Lorena?” I demanded, repeating myself a second time. My blood just boiled hotter and hotter.

Again, no response.

“Answer me!” I thundered, invading her space. My scowl deepened, my voice trembling with fury.

She flinched at my reaction, her body stiffening instinctively as she managed to meet my gaze. Her eyes misted, tears simmering in their depths.

I stepped forward, holding her gaze, my movement closing the distance between us. My breathing became ragged—heavier—as a silly thought crossed my mind. She wouldn’t do what I was thinking, yet I couldn't stop myself from thinking it.

The mere thought of another man's hands on her, another's lips on hers, turned my stomach, sending waves of possessive rage surging through me.

A torrent of jealousy and anger swelled within me, darkening my face. I felt a vein bulging in my forehead, pulsating with my racing heart. My whole body shuddered with tension, muscles coiled as my fingers twitched.

“Are you cheating on me?” I demanded, my breathing shallow and rapid. My rib cage expanded and contracted with each ragged inhalation.

“Excuse me?” She snapped her head up, her face undergoing a swift transformation from fear's pale pallor to a flush of indignation.

Lorena's posture stiffened, her hands planted firmly on her hips. She yanked her chin up to reveal the defiance flickering in her eyes.

“Don't play games with me, Lorena. Are you seeing someone else?” I questioned, my voice dripping with solemnity.

She let out a dismissive laugh. “Are you serious right now?” She stared at me, a mix of hurt and disappointment coloring her eyes.

“Do I look like I'm joking?” I asked, my voice dropping to a low whisper while I held her gaze.

“Is that how low you think of me?” Her eyes widened, pupils dilating in alarm before narrowing into slits of irritation.

“Just answer the damn question!” I snapped, my voice echoing across the room.

“I'm not your prisoner, Alexei!” she shouted in my face, her voice challenging and defiant, eyes flashing with fury. “So what if I went out for an hour or two?” Her face darkened, devoid of fear and anxiety. “I have the will to do as I please…. Deal with it.” The slight pause came when her eyes bore deeper into mine as if daring me to do my worst.

She’d just crossed a line. No woman had ever spoken to me in this manner before. None had sneered back at me the way that she did, and that fueled my rage.

My heart pounded like a drum in my heaving chest. My breathing was ragged and difficult to catch. The struggle to hold in my anger was like none I'd ever experienced. If she weren’t my wife, or carrying my baby, things would've turned messy really quick.

People had died for far lesser crimes than this, and the only reason she was still breathing was because it was my job as her husband to keep her safe.

My fingers clenched into fists, and my jaw locked, teeth gritting in a silent snarl. My body trembled, suppressing my fury as my hand snapped out in a flash, seizing her by the jaw.

She whimpered, eyes widening in fear as my fingers dug into her skin. Her breath hitched in her throat, chest rising and falling—overwhelmed by terror.

She winced, groaning at the tightness of my grip. I could see the pain flashing in her eyes, but I didn't care. She needed to be taught a lesson and reminded of her place.

I leaned closer, keeping my expression stern and my tone authoritative. “Listen to me very carefully, Lorena.”

She steeled herself, eyes shutting as she held her breath.

“Don't you ever raise your voice at me again,” I warned, my voice barely above a whisper yet dripping with venom. “I will not tolerate your rudeness and arrogance,” I added, eyes darting across her face, my expression stoic. “You're my wife. It's high time you started acting like it.”

She exhaled softly, her breath brushing against my face. Her eyes opened, and I saw the fear within; she looked at me like I was some kind of beast with a fierce, primal intensity.

“In case you've forgotten….” I leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “You're mine now, Lorena…. I own you.”

My aggressive gesture somehow crushed her will to argue. Her face softened and tears streamed down her cheeks as her lips twitched at the corners, her body trembling.

Someone conspicuously cleared their throat, indicating their presence. “Sir, stressing her out can affect the baby's health.” Alexandra's gentle voice cut through the silence.

As angry as I was, I knew that she was right. I was done here, anyway. Lorena had received the warning loud and clear.

I let go of her jaw and stepped away, watching her hands fly to rub the affected spot in a massaging motion.

Without a word, I ascended the staircase, leaving two women below. Alexandra would help her calm down and perhaps speak some sense into her.

But for now, I was glad that she was okay.