Wrapping my arms warmly around Ava and inhaling her sweet homely scent made tears prick my eyes and a flood of relief and achievement wash over my senses.

There was no way I'd ever leave without getting this strengthening farewell.

"I thought you'd left already," she choked, wrapping her arms around me a little bit tighter. "It hurt so much."

I could feel the pain edged with relief in her voice. This was what I'd fought to avoid and now that I was here talking to her, I felt like I hadn't failed her.

I slipped my hands off her back as she did the same and I crouched right in front of her, holding her soft hands.

"I'd never do that to you, Ava," I promised, smiling through the few tears I shed. "I'd rather die than leave without talking to you first."

"Is he nice to you? Does he speak to you? Why are you dressed in black when a bride is supposed to be in white?" she asked me in panic, concern lacing her voice.

She cared for me as much as I cared for her. That care swimming in her eyes made it all feel worth it. I'd do it all over just to see that sweet smile on her face shine brighter than ever.

"Hey," I cooed, cupping her face with my hand. "I don't want you to worry about me okay? I'll be fine. You just focus on getting better and Mom, Natalie and I will handle the rest."

Ava shook her head, more tears pouring from her eyes. "He's being cold to you, isn't he? That's why you won't talk about him."

She was wrong. If anything, Dominic hadn't been as cold and heartless as people described him judging from our interaction nearly half an hour ago.

If he were truly a heartless man, he wouldn't have been considerate enough to bring me home, carry me in his arms when he realised my toes were sore and given me a couple of minutes to talk to Ava like I was now.

Deep down, I felt like he was a misunderstood man who could be really warm if he wanted to unless he was just putting up an act.

"Dominic isn't as cold as they said he'd be," I assured Ava. "I think he's just not a social butterfly and honestly neither am I. I think we'll get along just fine."

The last part wasn't sincere. I wasn't sure of what his perspective of me was. He'd literally seen me bawl like a baby and hiccup a few minutes later.

I felt so embarrassed of myself recalling those memories. He probably thought I was a child, an immature woman with no sense of a grip over her emotions.

I simply got emotional because I hadn't imagined the separation would be that abrupt with no farewell. If only he knew how much my family meant to me, he'd probably understand why I got emotional over leaving without saying goodbye.

Ava's lips widened into a small smile. "I'll take your word for that," she said, using her free hand to wipe away my tears. "Mom thought you'd be in a hurry if you dropped by, so we packed you a few things you might need. She said you'd go shopping once you landed on the island so there was no need to overdo it."

I looked at the suitcase by the door with a grateful smile. I trusted whatever they had packed would be efficient for at least the first couple of days.

My fashion sense was good according to most people I knew. I just wasn't sure my outfits would fit the class of a billionaire's wife.

"Where's Mom?" I asked, recalling I hadn't seen her downstairs either when I entered the house. "She wasn't at the wedding either."

"She left something like twenty minutes before you got here with your father-in-law. He came in with my new caretaker."

I'd seen the young caretaker downstairs, making dinner for Ava. She seemed nice and friendly, but I knew Ava had a hard time getting comfortable with new people. That was why I preferred being with her most of the time for her comfort. Now I couldn't do that.

"Do you like her?" I asked her with a smile. "She seems nice."

Ava nodded. "I think she's okay, but just a little too chatty and nosy."

I chuckled lightly, stroking her hair. She'd figure things out.

"What about Nat? Did she ever come back home since I left yesterday?"

She'd been angry when she left and called Mom a couple of times wasted. Her behaviour was worrisome at times and her rebellious tendencies sickening.

"Yeah, but she left like an hour later after Lucas called. She said she'd call you and she went through your closet for an outfit for her date as usual."

We both chuckled softly. At times, it felt like she preferred my clothes more than hers and yes, the mess she left in my closet was infuriating, but sometimes I didn't mind. I barely had anywhere to wear half of the nicest clothes I owned. Someone had to show them off.

"I'm gonna freshen up a little," I informed Ava, letting go of her hand and standing up straight. "I'll be with you shortly, okay?"

She nodded in agreement. "Sure."

I went straight to Natalie's bedroom, already slipping off the wig I wore. She had better cosmetic products to help easily remove the layers of makeup on my face and quickly redo something lighter and more me.

It took me close to five minutes straight to remove all the pins in my hair, detangle it with a brush and style it into a simple but elegant sweep down my shoulders.

I changed into much more comfortable matching semi-casual grey drawstring pocket pants, a black letter-embroidered cropped pullover with grey Air Jordan sneakers to complete the look.

When I went back to Ava's room, she was on her desk, writing something passionately.

"What're you writing?" I asked her, looking at my reflection in the mirror on her dresser and brushing my hair with my fingers lightly to straighten it.

"Something sweet for when you feel low," she told me with a soft giggle, "though I'll be blowing up your DMs 24/7 until you come back from your honeymoon."

I walked towards Ava and crossed my arms over her chest, planting a sweet kiss on her cheek. "You know I'll be looking forward to that, right?" I said, taking a peek at the words she wrote in her letter.

She quickly folded the paper before I could read anything meaningful with a soft chuckle. "Of course, you will."

I watched her as she grabbed a bunch of other letters she'd written and tied them together with a ribbon together with a few novels. She knew I was a bookworm and found comfort in reading.

At least I had something to distract myself with over those two weeks on my honeymoon.

Ava couldn't walk me downstairs since it would be a hustle getting her up and down the stairs so we bid each other farewell in her bedroom.

It was something really emotional to both of us, but it had to be done. We both had to be strong for each other to survive.

I trudged down the stairs with my suitcase and small duffel bag, blinking away the few tears threatening to spill out.

I had newly found strength within me to face whatever lay out there, waiting to be discovered by me. I could face it.

I walked through the open double doors at the entrance, struggling with my bags, but before I could take more than three steps forward, a man in a black suit came to my rescue, grabbing the bags and proceeding towards the limousine.

I absentmindedly proceeded down the stairs at the entrance, taking a deep breath and thinking of how I'd survive two weeks alone with Dominic.

Did he even like me as a person in general or was he annoyed by me already? I was heavily worried about his opinion.

I slowly lifted my eyes from the ground when I felt like I was being watched.

Dominic and I made instant direct eye contact that made me feel extra self-conscious and erupted something fuzzy at the pit of my stomach, inexplicable heat crawling up my neck and stinging my cheeks brutally.

He was leaning against the car by the door, the sleeves of his black tailored shirt rolled up to his elbows.

My eyes shamelessly gawked at how veiny his hands and arms were, muscles bulging and relaxing visibly through his shirt as he drank from his hip flask.

His eyes demanded I maintained eye contact as I walked towards him, but the tiny creatures crawling everywhere on my sensual skin made it impossible to keep looking into the eyes that made me feel like I was burning.

I averted my eyes from Dominic's, my hands suddenly feeling sweaty as I rubbed my palms lightly with my fingertips.

Calm down, it's just a man.

Not just any man, obviously. My scalding hot husband straight from my private Pinterest board of aesthetically pleasing men I could stare at all night.

Dominic stood up straight, raking his free hand through the soft curls of his luxuriant black hair and I felt like melting at an action so simple yet fiercely sexy.

He was undoubtedly one fine specimen and I wasn't sure he was completely aware of the way he presented himself so effortlessly and smoothly.

Dominic kept his eyes on me as he opened the door and held it for me to enter the car first.

I reluctantly walked towards the opened door, blood roaring in my ears. He was still looking at me. I could feel it and for someone who wasn't used to getting such mysterious stares, I was doing extremely well.

Reaching the door and lifting one foot into the car, my eyes couldn't help but wander to his. I was right. He'd been staring and even now, he still was.

His face was so close to mine I could almost feel his hot breath fan my skin, our breaths mingling. His breath was minty with a pint of rich vintage wine, probably the one in his hand.

I suddenly had the urge to taste it, not from the hip flask in his hand, but from his mouth and such urges terrified me.

I couldn't look away as his free hand slowly reached for my face before he lightly tucked a few strands of hair behind my ear, his fingertips slowly dragging across my skin and leaving a trail of goosebumps.

What was he doing? What was he thinking?

He definitely swallowed as I saw from my peripheral vision his Adam's apple bob up and down slowly. I couldn't breathe. I had no idea what it was his hypnotic stare was doing to me, but I wasn't sure what the tingles I felt in the most sacred parts of my body meant.

I never felt so confused, so frightened and mostly, so hungry for something I didn't know. I craved it desperately right now, something I secretly enjoyed reading on pages in the comfort of my bed with my legs pinned together.

Fuck.

Dominic wanted to say something. I could almost see his lips moving, but they twitched slightly instead and then it all disappeared suddenly.

The coldness reclaimed his eyes, the warmth I'd felt disappearing as he suddenly stood up straight, his eyes cast away from me. Had I imagined it all?

I cautiously entered the limousine, muttering a polite thank you before taking a seat close to the far end.

Dominic joined me shortly after, sitting opposite me but closer to the door. The car started moving and I just sat there, thinking of what had happened and how my body had reacted to it. I still needed to thank him for allowing me back home nonetheless.

How could I when he seemed so restless now and didn't even look at me even by accident?

He grabbed his tablet from the table at the centre before he began focusing on something on it. Just like that, I became invisible to him.

I didn't want to be the one shamelessly looking at him and craving a reaction so I focused on my phone instead, scrolling through my settings absentmindedly. Anything to seem occupied and unbothered by his sudden coldness.

Maybe he hadn't been staring at me per se after all, just surprised by the change in hair colour and outlook.

I felt like explaining how I'd been wearing a wig all along and how this was my natural hair, but that sounded too stupid in my head.

He'd obviously figured that out already.

My eyes glazed over the words on my phone, my mind somewhere else. The silence was too uncomfortable and the temperature was too high. I felt like I was sweating already before even getting to the airport.

How was I going to survive a seventeen-hour flight in such extreme conditions?

•SOFIA•

We arrived at the exotic island I figured was in Teodoro Bernadi's name at dusk around five after a gruesomely long flight.

I felt heavily jetlagged, exhausted and partly hungry since I'd barely been able to properly eat the food on the plane with Dominic sitting right in front of me and periodically stealing lingering glances at me.

He was hands down a workaholic as he'd been working on his laptop and tablet most of the time and I just sat there, eating, napping, reading magazines and repeating the cycle.

Dark clouds pregnant with rain hung scattered across the sky and I could almost feel raindrops pelting my skin as we were escorted to the modern luxurious villa we'd be staying in.

I'd never felt so small and insignificant, flanked by burly bodyguards in black suits, my own husband towering over me a step ahead as his stride was way bigger than mine no matter how much I tried to keep up.

He was on his phone, a business call I presumed from the conversation going on. Was he ever not working?

We made it to the entrance of the villa, walking down a wide artistically designed passage before proceeding to the main lounge.

Half of the bodyguards stayed by the door while some proceeded in with the luggage. I watched as they went up to the first floor and Dominic plopped onto the couch exhaustedly, carrying on with his phone call.

I wasn't sure who to follow, standing there awkwardly, my eyes glazing slowly from upstairs to Dominic.

I ended up deciding to sit on the couch and wait for him when standing before him felt awkward and uncomfortable.

I sat on a couch across from his, fidgeting with my fingers and looking everywhere else but at him.

The décor of the villa was top-notch and undoubtedly packed with all the facilities to make the stay luxuriously worthwhile.

From where I sat, I could see the infinity pool outside with glimmering turquoise water that reminded me of how exhausted I felt. If only I could dive in there for a swim and soothe my aching muscles.

The scenery was beautiful and the place altogether heavenly, but I couldn't help but feel uneasy. Teodoro owned the place and his actions with me when we met had been hideous and alarming.

What if he had a scheme up his sleeves to frighten me or some diabolical plan to show he was the alpha and my family had stupidly fallen into his trap? What if his plan for revenge was already in motion and my entire family and I were already unconsciously participating in executing it?

An unsettling f

eeling sunk my heart into the pit of my fuzzy stomach, my eyes landing on Dominic.

What if he was part of executing the revenge and I already felt safe enough around him to have some level of trust in him?

He'd married me, a stranger, after all with barely any benefits on his part. Why had he agreed to it? Had he also been forced to do it or he'd willingly hopped onto the train to aid in bringing the people I loved and I down?

I swallowed hard, fighting to flush all the feelings of security out of my system and try to perceive him as a cold and heartless man, hell-bent on ruining my life, but I just couldn't.

It felt like my heart had already decided the warmth flickering on and off in his seemingly cold eyes was genuine and he wasn't a monster. I dangerously placed all my trust in my instincts.

"Sofia," his deep voice drew me out of my thoughts, making me realise he was looking directly at me with a bit of concern on his face. "I've been calling you for some time. Is everything okay?"

Shit.

I'd zoned out again, overthinking and painting him a monster yet he spoke to me so softly with genuine concern in his voice.

"I'm fine," I breathed, with a small dismissive smile. "I'm sorry, I got lost in my thoughts. Did you say something?"

Dominic looked at me with a cocked brow, highly unconvinced by my words before the doubt melted away and he sighed, standing up and walking towards me.

My heart thumped hard in my chest. Why was he walking towards me so determinedly with his gaze fixated on me?

I took a shallow controlled breath as he plopped onto the couch next to me and I instinctively angled my body in such a way I faced him directly.

"Look, Sofia," he started, as he leaned forward to get a better view of my face. "I know everything might be overwhelming and our wedding was out of the blue, but that doesn't mean you're a prisoner of any sort."

He paused, looking at me for a reaction. I nodded attentively, his words sinking in.

"If anything is making you uncomfortable or insecure, you can always talk to me about it and I will make necessary adjustments for your comfort, okay?"

His words didn't sound like the words a monster would say. They felt sincere and seemed to tone down my nerves an inch.

I simply nodded slowly again as a sign I understood what he said, but the way he carefully looked at me reported he wasn't satisfied.

I gazed into his eyes the same way he gazed into mine, my lips slightly parted. What was I supposed to say?

"Words, Sofia," he said firmly, his eyes fixed on mine. "Use your words and tell me you understand you have nothing to be afraid of when I'm around," he emphasised authoritatively.

I swallowed hard, nodding again but this time with words accompanying the action. "Of course, I understand."

Dominic's hand slowly trailed across the couch on the small gap between us before settling lightly on my knee. "What do you understand, Sofia?"

The way he said my name so slowly, chiselling every syllable luxuriantly made my stomach cartwheel, goosebumps peppering the spot on my knee his hand covered.

Above all, his eyes weren't moving an inch from mine, demanding I maintained the intensity, looking into his eyes as they bore into my soul.

"That I have nothing to be afraid of when you're around," I repeated his words softly but with a firm tenor, "and you're not going to hurt me under any circumstances," I added my own deep desire.

Dominic's grasp on my knee grew firm and he slowly leaned into me. "Good girl," he whispered softly close to my ear against my skin.

My breath hitched in my throat, wild butterflies swarming my stomach at the speed of lightning. I felt weird heat on my face, blood roaring in my ears and inexplicable aching tightening between my legs.

It was so oddly mysterious and frightening how two simple words could command my feral hormones to flare wildly to life and demand release, something I couldn't afford, something I'd never received but knew I desperately ached for.

What was he doing to me?

"Come," he breathed so innocently yet so erotically in my mind. "I'll show you to your bedroom."

Dominic slowly withdrew his face from mine, his eyes briefly straying to my lips before he stood up. I reluctantly got up as well, embarrassed by how weak my knees felt.

We walked silently towards the staircase like nothing had happened seconds ago and I felt his hand lightly on the small of my back, guiding me forward.

I trudged up the stairs in front of Dominic, different thoughts swirling through my mind. Was he doing this on purpose or he was merely being himself and I just wasn't used to it?

I stopped walking when he reached the main hallway and spotted suitcases placed by two different doors.

Dominic walked in front of me, leaning casually against the door frame of the first bedroom. "This is my bedroom and yours is right next to mine," he informed me. "I thought you might feel uncomfortable sharing and need your personal space."

Part of me was disappointed, but the rational part of me felt okay with the setup. I'd never slept in a bed with anyone except Ava, Natalie or Mom and the whole idea of sharing a bedroom with someone already causing hormonal havoc in my body did sound adventurous but uncomfortable to some extent.

I could manage on my own and use my personal space at my disposal.

"We have enough security I guess and a chef for all meals. You'll familiarise yourself with the rest soon."

I nodded. "Sure."

When he said nothing further, I took it as my cue to leave to freshen up. I awkwardly turned away without saying a word, cursing at my terrible socialising skills.

"Sofia," he called me before I could take three away from him.

"Yes?" I replied, looking back at him.

"I'm going out for important business but should be back in time for dinner. Don't wait up if I'm not back by eight," he informed me.

I nodded again, speaking convincingly. "Okay."

I turned back around and began walking forward towards my bedroom with an inaudible sigh.

His words reminded me this was nothing but a business arrangement, a contract unifying us in uncomfortable circumstances.

I wasn't supposed to have expectations of him or dream of having an actual honeymoon and acting like newlyweds.

He definitely had a life before this marriage, a girlfriend as well obviously or many. He was a smoke show and definitely had women falling at his feet.

Our marriage wouldn't hold him back from hooking up with them. If he'd been a fuckboy, he'd probably just continue and I didn't have any right to feel disrespected as long as it wasn't in my face.

I just had to remember constantly that this wasn't a love marriage. There were no feelings attached and to protect my heart, I had to keep it that way.

I pushed the door open, taking the suitcases in with me before closing the door. Once I was inside, I walked towards the large queen-sized bed at the centre of the room and collapsed onto it with a heavy sigh.

The bed felt so comfortable I could fall asleep right there, but I needed to take a shower first.

I got up from it after minutes of procrastinating, sighing again when I hear a door open and close. He'd left and I didn't know how to feel about it. Deep down, it sucked though.

I dragged one big suitcase I didn't remember taking with me from home and hauled it onto the bed. I curiously opened it, my eyes widening when I scanned through its contents.

There was mostly underwear, the sluttiest type I'd ever seen that'd barely cover anything. There was also nightwear, but the type one would wear to seduce a man and get railed mercilessly. The rest of the clothes were just the same, slinky and too revealing for my style and comfort.

I'd have been doomed if Mom and Ava hadn't packed extra outfits I was familiar with for me.

I closed the suitcase and walked towards the open window to close it when the violent wind began blowing in. It'd started showering and it was growing darker outside.

It'd probably rain heavily tonight and I wasn't complaining. I could use it for a good night's sleep.

I closed the window and walked back to my suitcase, taking out my shampoo and a couple other things I wanted to use for my bath.

My battery had died so I put my phone on the charger first before proceeding into the bathroom.

The bathroom was big and elegant enough for a dreamy bath, but there was no key on the door. That made me feel a tad bit uncomfortable, but I could manage for just tonight's bath and see if it could be fixed the next morning.

I stripped out of my clothes and proceeded into the shower cubicle. There was both a fixed and detachable showerhead for my convenience.

I opened the tap and shivered a little, flinching away when the water came out cold at first before eventually heating up.

It felt really good and refreshing, feeling the warm water against my skin, washing away the sweat, dirt and stress even.

Soon enough, the glass walls were covered by steam and I was taking a mildly thorough shower, my thoughts further away in a much more peaceful place.

I squeezed some shampoo into my hands, rubbing it into my hair and scalp and washing it off. I loved the soothing scent it gave off of combined fragrances, mostly lavender. It helped me relax.

I thought I heard a door open and close, followed by hushed talking, but I pushed it to the back of my head. Maybe Dominic was back already and conversing with the staff.

I continued showering freely until I heard the creaking of a door too close for me to stay unbothered. It sounded like someone opened the door to my bedroom.

I stopped moving much, washing the soap off my face and paying closer attention to what was happening. I closed the tap to hear clearer sounds and my heart froze for a split-second.

Someone was in my bedroom and they were whistling, walking closer and closer to the bathroom.

I felt my heart beat wildly in my chest, adrenaline pumping into my veins. I tried calming down, taking a deep breath and trying to convince myself it was only Dominic and he wouldn't hurt me, but I couldn't.

I didn't feel safe all of a sudden.

Maybe I could go out and check and get rid of my fear altogether despite how risky it was. Literally, anyone could be in there with different intentions. I had to be careful.

I slowly walked towards the sliding door of the cubicle, sliding it slightly open and peeking my head out.

The door handle was twisted down before the door was slowly pushed open.

"Dominic, I'm bathing," I called out in terror, my stomach rumbling. It had to be him.

Please, be him.

The whistling stopped and a devilish chuckle followed before two burly stark naked men I'd never seen before in my entire live walked in.

Shit.

I slammed the door closed so hard I feared it would break, my heart throwing itself against my ribcage like a trapped bird trying to escape.

My hands were trembling, trying to hold the door as hot tears stung my eyes, ugly memories of an evil attempt of this nature years ago flooding my mind.

No. Please, no.

•DOMINIC•

Despite Teodoro and I owning and running separate businesses although I was to be his heir, he still somehow always found a way to drag me into his.

Looking at the Russian con man disguised as a businessman interested in dealing with Teodoro had me wondering why my father would want to deal with such a sick joke of a man, cracking dry jokes one after the other.

I'd gotten flat-out irritated by him in the first line of our conversation. He'd shoot him dead on the spot with no hesitation.

"Mr. Petrov," I cleared my throat, interrupting his hundredth meaningless gibber, leaning forward with my jaw clenched. "Do I need to remind you of who am I and what I'm capable of doing for every second of my time you've wasted going around in circles?"

The skinny Russian man flashed me a nervous toothy grin, adjusting the watch on his wrist impatiently before lifting his eyes back to me. "Patience, Mr. Bernardi," he beseeched, "just have a little bit more patience while the paperwork is getting finalised."

I was beginning to doubt there was any paperwork or business deal, to begin with. His actions were too suspicious and the way he was beginning to chew on his words and spit them out nervously told me there was more to this fiasco than he was letting on.

"In a fucking club?" I asked, gritting my teeth as I felt every shred of patience within me snap.

The location of the deal itself was odd, but then this was Teodoro's business. Anything was possible and if his deal needed to be closed, it had to be done his style. I just didn't have the patience to keep up with the circus show and he'd have to deal with it himself.

"Where entertainment and refreshments are plenty," the Russian man chortled desperately, clapping his hands enthusiastically as an invitatory gesture to someone downstairs.

With a heavy sigh of irritation, I collapsed back into the couch, leaning my back into it and running my hand through my hair.

I could be doing so many productive things right now mostly to do with this stimulating addition to my daily life.

I had a wife and she was fucking gorgeous, young and innocent. I had no fucking idea how she managed to do it in less than twenty-four hours, but I already felt certain palpable urges pushing my sanity to a dangerously pitched edge.

Fuck.

Just thinking about her reminded me of how every second of my fingertips on her skin had felt, cupping her face, tucking her hair behind her ear, inhaling her sweet feminine scent and breathing onto her skin.

The expansion and constriction in my chest was unfamiliar, blood and adrenaline pumping madly hot into my veins, especially those connected to the hardest parts to tame.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuckery.

I grabbed my glass of wine, gulping the rest of the white scorching liquid down my throat with my eyes shut. Even that was a fucking terrible idea because all I could see were those innocent striking green eyes meeting mine every time I stole a glance at her.

I was fucked deeply and the worst part was I was allowing it to happen despite the commendable restraint I'd practised and mastered over the years.

The music downstairs on the dancefloor seemed to grow louder, the cheering wilder. I peeled my eyes open, placing the wine glass back onto the table at the centre.

I could see people begin to climb upstairs to the private floor's main lounging area where we sat, some holding trays of assorted food and some wine. They were all notably women, semi-naked women with an almost obvious intent.

I watched with slightly knitted brows as the wine and food trays were placed down on the table by two women in slinky mini dresses before each plopped onto the couch on either side of the Russian dealer.

He looked at me with a suggestive grin before sitting back in his couch. I watched with a fully cocked brow as the redhead to his right put her hand over the zipper of his pants, rubbing her hand up and down while making eye contact with him.

The other woman to his left with dark hair acted next, cupping his face and beginning a full-fledged make-out session with him as he alternated between the two women.

The disrespect was shocking and utterly grovelling for my negative attention.

I sprung onto my feet, hot anger boiling deep inside me as lurched at him, grabbing him by his collar and lifting him gruffly onto his feet.

"You're so deeply fucked I feel bad for you," I grunted through gritted teeth in his face before pushing him back onto the couch between the two panicking women.

I angrily grabbed my jacket, storming away from the lounging area with my fist tightly clenched. The number of productive things I could have used that precious half an hour for were too painful to even think of.

I could see a woman wearing a slinky black mini dress with a zipper running from her extreme cleavage to where her dress ended way above her knees and strappy high heels waiting for me by the staircase with her hair held up into a high ponytail.

She kept her eyes on me, pulling the zipper all the way down, exposing the three-piece lacy lingerie she wore beneath her outfit.

Seductive as her intentions were, I didn't feel stimulated or triggered sexually in any way. The only trigger she stimulated in me was that of extra fury and major disrespect for having my dignity trampled on so ruthlessly.

"Babe, you-"

"I'm fucking married!" I growled, lurching her hand off my chest and cautiously pushing her out of my way.

I descended the stairs swiftly, my mind far away from this place. I was a married man now and I had a wife waiting for me at home.

Even if we weren't in love with each other and barely knew each other beyond our names and family scores, there was still some level of respect she deserved from me as I expected of her.

What the fuck was I even doing in this place?

I weaved my way past sweaty grinding bodies, the loud music blasting in my ears irritably. This wasn't my type of crowd.

I made it to the exit with a few minor accidents of women throwing themselves at me and earning my aggressive attitude.

Walking past the doors, an umbrella was held above my head by my personal bodyguard, Liam, who I travelled with most of the time, as I made my way straight into the car and the chauffeur drove off.

By then, it was raining torrentially and the chauffeur had to be extra cautious driving, delaying the trip back to the villa even more.

I adjusted the Rolex watch on my wrist impatiently, checking the time. It was just a few minutes past seven and I could still make it on time for dinner.

I prayed Sofia was okay and hadn't fallen asleep. I wanted to talk to her and hear more of her voice. I couldn't quite place what it was about her, but there was just something extremely serene about her presence. I needed that serenity around me, triggering as it was.

It took roughly ten minutes to get to the villa and I exited the car, striding towards the main entrance. Two bodyguards stood there in black suits, my presence seemingly inducing panic and confusion in their eyes.

"What the fuck are you doing standing there?" I barked, looking from one to the other, surprised by how they stood still, blocking my way. "Fucking move before I lose my shit."

They remained standing like statues, before simultaneously tilting their heads to look at each other as if they didn't understand what I'd just said.

Liam took a step forward to intervene but stopped dead in his tracks when someone inside the villa belted a bloodcurdling scream that made my heart stop beating for a second before adrenaline flooded my bloodstream at full pelt.

Sofia.

Fuck me.

I gruffly pulled the bodyguards apart roughly, each falling on either of my sides before I stormed into the building, shouting her name.

"Sofia!" I shouted, following the sound of her screams, pain, helplessness and fear evident.

I'd never felt so much panic and urgency, running up the stairs with my heart beating like a drum in my chest, threatening to leap out any second.

There was so much struggling, breakage of things and her screams grew muffled.

Shit.

I'd fucking murder someone.

I burst into her bedroom, glazing my eyes across the room hurriedly before following Sofia's pained screams into the en suite bathroom.

Kicking the door open with my foot, I stormed inside. "Sofia!"

My blood instantly ran cold.

The shower cubicle was glass was steamy, water splashing and spilling onto the floor. I could see three figures inside, Sofia undoubtedly the one in the corner, swinging a broken showerhead back and forth between the two men pinning her against the wall as she kicked her feet powerfully.

Who the fuck were they and how had they gotten past security?

I ran towards the cubicle, flinching away when a glass fell over, one of the two naked bastards falling through on his side with a loud groan.

Sofia's screaming continued as she slumped onto the floor, grabbing a bottle of shampoo and squeezing the scented liquid in the face of the other man trying to grab her, blinding him as he began furiously cursing at her.

I jumped in through the shattered glass, grabbing the unfamiliar man by the back of his head and colliding his face roughly with the wall. I couldn't even properly see with all the steam clouding the room and hot water splashing everywhere from the broken faucet

Sofia disappeared out of the cubicle, sobbing miserably as she grabbed a towel from the towel rack, loosely wrapping it around her body and escaping from the room.

I wanted to follow after her so badly, hold her and calm her down, but with two menaces thinking they could gang up against me and win after assaulting my wife and nearly committing a grave atrocity against her that'd instantly turn me into a murderer, I couldn't

I felt extra strength seep into my bones as the man who'd fallen stood up, grabbing me by my arm with his other fist clenched.

It didn't take seconds to drag his bloody ass inside the slippery cubicle, colliding his face roughly with his colleagues before grabbing them both by their collars.

I was completely drenched in seconds, stepping on a bloody floor from their nose bleeds

"Your father-"

Fuck.

I'd never punched anyone so hard in my entire life, my knuckles stabbing with counteractive pain. I didn't know my blow was that strong until the guy I'd hit slumped against the wall onto the floor, falling unconscious instantly with water washing down the blood on his face and on my knuckle.

I looked over at the other guy as he slowly backed away. Pussy.

I wrapped my hand around his neck, looking into his horror-filled eyes. Sofia looked ten times horrified. How dare he?

"I was just doing m-my job," he stuttered.

"Assaulting someone's daughter, sister and my wife?" I fumed before punching him straight into unconsciousness.

I needed them both alive for befitting punishment hence the lenience.

I walked out of the broken cubicle, water dripping from my clothes.

"Sir-" Liam faltered, following me out the door as I lifted my hand.

"You know what to do with that disgusting mess," I said to him. "You're in charge of security tonight and tomorrow morning, we leave this fucking hell hole. Make arrangements."

"Right away, Sir," Liam responded.

I made my way out of the room, clenching my fist hard and trying to calm myself.

It all made sense now, Teodoro's insistence on our honeymoon location and personally handling everything including security. He fucking planned it. This was the first night gift he so pompously spoke of and I stupidly fell for it.

Fuck.

Being cold to Sofia was one thing, but expecting me to fucking sit still and watch paid assholes defile her was an obnoxious expectation.

Screw him and his plan. He was an evil man with wicked double standards. He'd slaughtered people alive when something similar happened to his daughter. How could he do that to someone else's?

What would I even say to her? How would I comfort her when I was the son of the man who'd ordered the attack on her? Why the fuck did my life have to be so difficult every fucking time?

I followed Sofia's muffled sobs down the hallway, searching for her. I needed to be there for her, to fucking do something to take away her pain. Anything

I reached the door at the far end of the hallway, the sobs tearing through her chest becoming louder and deeply agony-filled. "Sofia," I called out, putting my hand on the doorknob. "I'm coming in."

"No!" she screamed hysterically. "Stay away from me!"

Something shattered loudly and her crying grew louder. I could hear her gnash her teeth and I could feel the pain and fear in her voice. She was shivering and breaking things. She fucking needed someone to be there for her.

"Sofia!" I shouted, twisting the doorknob and banging my fist against the door when I realised it was locked. "Please, let me! Don't fucking hurt yourself!"

She wasn't listening. I only grew impatient, deeply desiring to be there for her. I fucking cared and wished I could show her. I fucking wanted to be there for her.

"Sofia, open the goddamn door!" I banged loudly, concern lacing my voice. "I need to hold you. Please."

Fuck.

I threw myself against the door, trying to break it down.

"Don't come in!" she cried over the loud thunder roaring. "Please, please," she begged, her voice becoming feeble, "don't come in."

The desperation in her cracking voice broke my heart. She was scared-of me.

Of course, she was fucking scared. I was a man she barely knew with the potential of hurting her. She was bound to shield and protect herself from me with everything she had to keep her sanity.

I moved away from the door, kicking the wall furiously and hammering it with my clenched fist.

I didn't know what to do. I wanted to be in there with her, but at the same time, I didn't want to make things worse. I didn't want to hurt her more with my presence.

I turned back to the door, my clenched fist trembling as I pressed my forehead into the door. "Sofia," I whispered, my insides shattering. "You're in pain and I'm so sorry. I want to be there for you, but I don't know how to and hope you know I fucking care about you and your safety. It's okay if you don't want to see me. Do what you need to do but please, just-just don't hurt yourself, I'm begging you."

I paused, taking a deep breath and thinking of the right words to say at this moment. I'd never done it before. I was afraid I'd say the wrong thing and make things worse, but something told me I had to keep going. She wasn't breaking things anymore and had grown quiet.

"When I said I'd never hurt you, I meant it. You're my wife, Sofia, and I'm not going to hurt or leave you. I'll be standing right here, waiting for you. You can come out whenever you're ready and I promise we'll fix this. Just tell me what you need me to do."

Sofia didn't say anything, but I could hear her slowly move closer to the door, her breathing calming. I waited patiently for her to say or do something, giving her the space and time she needed.

I wished I was better at showing emotions and being compassionate. Maybe that way she'd understand my words were sincere.

"I'm scared," she finally spoke so close to the door I could almost feel her presence without the door standing as a barrier between us. "I'm so scared I think I'm gonna lose my mind."

"I know, but you don't have to be," I breathed, putting my palm flat against the door as though I could hold her hand. "I'm right here. I won't let anyone hurt you."

"I can't let you in," she cried softly. "I'm sorry," her voice cracked.

"Sofia," I called her name softly. "I understand. Whenever you're ready, come out and we'll figure things out, okay?"

"Don't leave me alone," she begged, her voice trembling. "Please."

"I'm right here," I assured her sincerely, "and I'm not leaving you. I promise."

I meant every word henceforth.