Page 31

Valeria

A nger always was a powerful fuel for me. It pushed me over the edge or toward my goal with crushing force. It made decision-making much easier—impulsive but easier.

Of course, many times, I regretted what I'd done while being pissed like hell, but in the end, it was liberating. Being diplomatic was my first choice, but when decency failed, I loved that little nudge off the devil on my shoulder, whispering to me to send nasty assholes where they belonged.

It was the same with Chester and his outrageous attempt to blackmail me into living with him again.

At first, I was terrified for Zara's safety.

Yet, when I counted two plus two and gathered my thoughts, I assumed he wouldn't hurt her.

He wasn't the father of the year, and he would surely use her to force me into something, but he wouldn't ill-treat his own child.

However, this discovery didn't defuse my anger. Quite the opposite; it empowered it more. I had enough of being constantly ordered around by him, telling me what I could and could not do.

Chester always found a strange pleasure in picking my clothes, deciding my accessories, or showing me off like I was a pretty doll. But I was a living, breathing person with my opinions, thoughts, and preferences. He couldn't dictate to me anything, not anymore .

I stuck my key into the lock, turning it to open the door to Chester's apartment. Thankfully, Zyon hadn’t heard what we’d argued about and allowed me to leave early with the excuse that my daughter had a fever.

Everything in the hall was precisely as I left it. The place was clean and tidy as if no one had entered it since I abandoned it. My stomach clenched with shaking anxiety when I realized how much I loathed this flat.

It felt like a cage, like the walls were shrinking around me, attempting to crush me. My heart rate increased, and my breathing quickened. It was an extreme reaction to a place I once called home.

"Welcome back, baby doll."

Chester's voice prevented my panic attack because only one look into his disgusting face and all the hateful feelings returned with full force.

"I won't stay long," I hissed, lowering my voice so Zara didn't hear us. "I only came to pick up my daughter."

"She's not going anywhere," he stated simply, adjusting his arm in the bandage. His smug expression raised my blood pressure dangerously high.

"She's leaving with me," I ground out, fisting my hands. My long nails dug into my palms, but I welcomed the pain. The light sensation helped me to stay sane.

"Only over my dead body," he said firmly, holding my glare. My anger didn't bother him because he considered me a harmless, stupid doll.

"Don't tempt me," I snarled, entering the living room.

"You’ve become bold now you work for gangsters," he mocked, following me into the kitchen. "Would you do it as easily as you talk about it?"

"Do you want to find out?" I challenged, taking the huge stainless-steel knife from the holder. I was never a violent type, but I could understand why Zyon and his brothers solved their problems with violence. Some people just didn't know where the line was.

Chester narrowed his eyes at me. His demeanor was scary in the dim glow of the kitchen's lights. Maybe I should've been afraid of him, but I was too infuriated and irritated by his behavior. What he dared to do to Zara and me was utterly ridiculous. He couldn't bully us to be with him.

"When I met you for the first time, I was enchanted by your beauty," Chester said, approaching me. I pointed the knife at him, ready to use it if necessary. "With your intelligence, it wasn't so perfect."

Roughly, he snatched my wrist and seized it, making me whimper. Another twist, and I let go of the knife, and it fell on the floor with a clink .

Forcefully, he grasped the back of my head, almost tearing my hair out while I tried to free myself. But I couldn't. Even with one hand injured, he pushed me around like a rag doll. He pressed me against the counter, his face merely an inch from mine.

"You stupid bitch," he hissed through gritted teeth.

I smelled his cologne, which made me nauseous.

My nails clawed at his face and neck, but he didn't care about the marks I made on his skin.

I tore open the bandage holding his arm, though.

It still didn't stop him, but at least he let go of my head. "You're really asking for this."

"Let me go," I seethed, blindly tapping my hand on the counter to find something I could use.

"First, I'll take what is mine," he said in a devious whisper, making my blood freeze in shock and fright. Abruptly, he spun me around, pressing his firm body against me.

"Stop," I whined, panic overcoming my thoughts when I felt his hard erection through his pants. But, instead of listening to me, Chester took a fistful of my hair and yanked my head back, making me almost yelp in pain.

"I need to remind you who this body belongs to," he growled in my ear, chuckling at my pointless fight. I tried to stomp on his foot and nudge him with my elbows, yet his hold on me only tightened, and the pain increased. At this point, he was tearing my hair out.

"Please, stop," I cried out when his free hand cupped my pussy, and he kicked my legs open. The thin dress didn't provide a barrier between his forceful touches and my skin. "Chester, no, stop. Please, stop."

But he was deaf to my pleading voice. I felt as he rolled up my skirt, aiming for my panties, but I managed to slow his effort with my fighting. I wouldn't give up easily, even when I knew he could do whatever he wanted to me .

The holder with knives was within my reach. The sink was empty; only one glass was placed nearby. My fingertips brushed the surface, but Chester yanked me back when he noticed my intentions. His demonic laugh pierced my ears, killing the last of my courage to stand up to him.

"Mommy?"

A silent cry broke free from my throat, and Chester instantly let go of me when Zara entered the kitchen. Her hair was messy, and her sleepy expression suggested she hadn’t noticed anything.

"What’s going on, sweetie?" Chester asked, squatting before her. Zara squinted her eyes at him, then looked at me, confused.

"I heard Mommy crying," she replied, rubbing her eyes. I used that moment to wipe my cheeks and plaster a smile on my face.

"We were just talking," I soothed her, approaching them. Chester cast me a warning look, but it wasn't necessary. The last thing I wanted was for my daughter to see how twisted her parents' relationship was.

"Can I sleep with you?" Her pleading voice instantly melted my heart, and I took her hand.

"Of course," I agreed, ignoring Chester's obvious disapproval. "But we'll stay in your room, okay?"

After what just happened, I wouldn't share a bed with my husband, no matter what. My knees trembled, and my stomach was nauseous, but for Zara's sake, I had to overcome it and play a happy mother.

"Our bed is bigger," Chester stated, embracing Zara and lifting her. "You'll be more comfortable there."

My throat tightened, but I hoped he wouldn't try anything with our baby girl between us. In the hall, I walked past him and pulled the sheets on our king-sized bed to the side, and he gently put her down. She was almost asleep when he placed her on the mattress, and I covered her with a blanket.

Not paying attention to him, I moved to climb the bed and lay beside Zara, but Chester stopped me.

He roughly grasped my arm, squeezing it with a bruising force.

I tried to yank it from his hold, but he didn't let me.

Instead, he pulled me closer, his lips next to my ear when he started whispering, "I have a meeting to attend. When I return, if you and my daughter aren’t in this apartment, run and hide the best you can.

Because when I find you, it'll be your end. "

He pushed me out of his way and exited the room, leaving me shuddering. I never imagined he was capable of any of those things. He was temperamental, and we often argued, but not like this. The grim sign of domestic abuse appeared before my eyes, and I inhaled a shaky breath.

Chester's threats derailed me. I didn't know if he was able to live up to them. His words tied my hands and locked the front door. I was trapped, and the only thing missing was a chain around my ankle.

As I looked at my sleeping daughter, my phone disturbed me from my depressing thoughts. The screen enlightened with an incoming text message. My heart skipped a beat when I saw who it was from.

Unknown Number : Why, mon c?ur? Why did you return to him?

The rope around my chest squeezed me, and I felt like I couldn't take another breath.

With the disaster that my life had just become, I totally forgot about him.

If Chester found out about me having an affair with a masked stalker, he would burst through the roof.

Not because he loved me. I stopped dreaming about my husband having any feelings for me.

But because it would be extremely humiliating.

For the sake and safety of us all, I had to push Zefarin away.

Valeria : Chester is my husband and the father of my child. He deserves a second chance.

My fingers trembled when I typed the message and hesitated to send it.

Eventually, I pressed the button and closed my eyes, suppressing sobs.

The helplessness attacked me in full force, almost knocking me off my feet.

I didn't know what to do, how to lose the baggage that my marriage become, or how to free myself and Zara from Chester's sharp talons.

Unknown Number : And what about you, mon c?ur? What do you deserve ?

A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I moved toward the bedroom window.

My stalker knew exactly what to ask to call me out on my lies.

He sensed something shady behind the change of my decision.

I had to cut him off before he discovered too much.

I couldn't risk Chester finding out about us. It was too risky.

Valeria : A happy family. Me, Zara, and my husband. Please, don't stand between us. Leave me alone.

My heart constricted painfully when my eyes lifted from the screen, and I looked outside at the street. He stood under the lamp on the sidewalk. The phone in his right hand glowed, and it took only a few seconds for his reply to come.

Unknown Number : Never, Valeria! You're my heart, the reason I breathe. Don't ever ask me for this.

Valeria : Would you destroy a family because of your selfishness?

Unknown Number : I will destroy the world if it means having you, mon c?ur. And I'm about to prove it.

The breath stuck in my throat when I looked at him, standing right under my window. Mindlessly, I pressed my open palm on the glass, gulping past the lump in my throat.

I felt so desperate, so weak to dream about something that didn't exist. The relationship or anything more than wild sex with Zefarin was unfeasible. My common sense screamed at me it was just an adventure, something that couldn't last. I had to be realistic. He couldn't help me.

Valeria : I don't need proof of anything. I need you to leave me alone. Get out of here, or I'll call the police.

Unknown Number : Will you? That way, you'll have to admit to your husband that you cheated on him.

Valeria : Yes, but I'll be free of you .

My heart ached when I stared at the letters that formed the awful sentence. I didn't want to be free of him—quite the opposite—I wanted him in my life. However, if I had to choose between my and my daughter's happiness and safety, I would always select hers.

Unknown Number : If you aimed for my heart, you missed, mon c?ur. Your words can't hurt me when I remember your soul singing my name and your body dancing to that melody. You're mine, whether you like it or not.

It was highly inappropriate, but a wide smile crossed my face, and my heart thundered with happiness.

I never thought I would become a woman who enjoyed this type of almost toxic affection from a man who hid his identity from me.

My reaction was utterly absurd, but he gave me hope for a better tomorrow.

Yet the moment was interrupted by noises from the hall. Chester hadn’t left. He probably took a shower and would come to the bedroom to dress. I had to get Zefarin away before Chester noticed him.

Valeria : I don't like your possessive thinking. You don't own me. I can make my own decisions, and right now, I'm staying with my husband. Get lost before he finds you lurking under our balcony.

I pressed the phone against my chest, hoping it would be enough for him to understand and leave. But it was only my deepest wish.

Unknown Number : Send him out, and we'll see who will return to you.

It was pointless. I had to end this conversation.

Valeria : I already have my champion. Goodbye.

I hid the phone under the cushion and lay beside Zara at the exact moment the door into the room opened and Chester walked in. I closed my eyes and focused on breathing, pretending to be dead asleep. He picked out clothes from the closet and stopped beside the bed.

His touch was surprisingly tender when he brushed the hair away from my face. Goosebumps arose on my skin, my stomach cramping. Pure disgust thrived in my chest when his fingertips grazed my skin. I couldn't wait for the moment he stopped touching me and left.

Thankfully, no incoming text disturbed the silence in the room. However, the last time Zefarin didn't reply to my message, he appeared at my doorstep. And I didn't know if I was scared or excited about the prospect.