through a gap in the blackout curtains, hitting her eyes with a painfu

of nausea through her. That's when she realized she w

rain. The sterile bathroom. The cold marble tub. His strong arms lifting

chin, her face burning with a shame so intense it felt like

clean lines, dark wood, and cold glass. Her torn dress was neatly folded on a

room doo

t, his dark hair still damp from a shower. He stood in front of a full-length m

f emotion. He looked like a predator assessing his territory after

against his cold gaze. "You..." Her voice trembled, thick w

his polished Italian shoes silent on the thick rug. He picked

were the one who grabbed my wrist," he stated coldly, his voice

and stinging. Her pride, what little she had left, was shattered. He

rising, cracking with emotion. "I refuse to be

yes. He leaned over the bed, his large frame trapping her,

low and final. "You will fulfill your duties as my w

your precious Serena? Does she know you're forcing

drop ten degrees. The mention of that name was like flipping a

re rigid. He walked toward the bed

hed into his suit pocket and tosse

ce and landed

label was stark and cli

uelty of it, hit her like a physical blow. He didn't just see her as a contractual obligation. He

t and cold. "An unplanned pregnancy

shame and the tears. Her hands shook. She felt utterly degrade

tless bastard!" she screamed, her voice raw.

broad shoulder with a pathetic

't even

your child!" she shrieked, the

e discarded box on the floor. His eyes were complet

tment," he said, his voice once again a monotone. "You have twent

avy door shut. The sound echoed in the large,

sob tearing from her throat. The reality of her situation

h the back of her hand. She threw the covers off, her nudity no longer a source of sh

epped into the stinging spray, scrubbing at her skin, desperate to wash his scent, his touch, his very presence, o