CHAPTER FOUR

His words hit me like hot liquid pouring into my ears, the rough edge to his tone making my already racing heart beat even faster. The look in his eyes left no doubt—he meant every word.

Wifely duties...

Wifely duties...

F***. Every wife knew what that meant, and there was no way I could pretend otherwise.

My throat felt dry as I tried to respond, but, honestly, I was grateful for the excuse. I had no idea what to say.

The close intimate position we were in made my legs wobbly and weak and the soft brushes of his clothed groin on my V area , left my breath hooking at the peak of it's relaxation, coming out in a disorderly fashion.

Pl… please…” my voice barely came out as a whisper, and I felt him rise slightly from my body.

“You’re my wife. You may be here by contract, but you belong to me. And understand this—I don’t share what’s mine. Don’t even think I’d take advantage of you. I’m not that cruel,” he said before finally standing up and leaving the room.

As soon as he was gone, I took a deep breath, exhaling as I relaxed on the bed.

What was that earlier? What did he mean by saying I belonged to him?

Why did he sound so… possessive?

Speaking of possessive, my mind drifted back to what he’d called me in his office two days ago.

“Mia.”

He’d called me Mia.

Was he falling for…?

No, no, no—I shouldn’t even finish that thought. I shouldn’t think that way. A devil can never fall in love. That’s what he is to me—a devil.

My phone chimed, signaling a message, and I got up from the bed to check it.

“Your application has been viewed by CY’S OPERATION, Kalmia, and your interview is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.”

It was a text from Jemima, and I gasped.

“Yes!” I whispered happily and quickly replied to her message.

“Thank you, Jemi. You’ve done so much for me.”

Her reply came almost instantly.

“It’s nothing. Soon you’ll be rocking Russia like you always did. You’ll be a star again.”

I smiled at her heartfelt words and sent her a sparkling heart emoji.

I set my phone down and went to the closet to get dressed. Ever since I returned to this country three days ago after six years away, I’ve been focused on getting a modeling job.

I was determined to rise to fame again, become powerful, and find my sister.

I returned to the bed, lying down and stretching after a long night.

My mind wandered to Arrow, wondering what he was doing now.

I sighed, remembering his words from earlier, but scoffed afterward.

“You don’t own me, Arrow,” I muttered.

Then my thoughts shifted to my little girl, and I sighed again.

I wished I could kiss her cheek as she slept right now, but here I was, confined to this house.

*******

Arrow sat in his study, typing on his laptop.

He’d been researching and digging for information on who was behind his fiancée’s attack. He had leads, and he’d wasted a few lives in his search for the bastard who tried to assassinate her on their wedding day six years ago.

She had been on her way to the church when it happened—a red-tipped bullet struck her in the chest.

She had barely survived, slipping into a coma.

That night, drowning in grief, he’d gone to a hotel to be alone with his thoughts, only for his door to burst open as Kalmia staggered in. She grabbed his vodka and drank it down, her presence both unexpected and comforting. One thing led to another that night, blurring the lines between pain and passion.

He clicked on the touchpad, placing a finger on his lips as he studied the information on the screen. His glasses rested on his nose, giving him an intense, handsome look.

He had traced the organization that created the red-tipped bullet and was now focused on tracking down its owner. The identity was hidden, but that wouldn’t stop him from reaching his goal.

If he wanted peace, he needed to find the person responsible for making that bullet.

Hacking into the organization’s systems wouldn’t be an issue. He just needed a little help from his friends.

He had two close friends, Ozzy and Eros.

Ozzy was the master of anything digital—a hacker who could crack into any system.

Arrow sighed, pulling off his glasses.

Tomorrow night, he’d be paying this organization a visit. And everyone knew that wherever he set foot… things never remained the same.

***********

Kalmia's Pov

My sleepy eyes fluttered open as the sun’s rays pierced through the window blinds, casting a warm glow over the room.

I yawned, stretching as I got out of bed and walked toward the bathroom to wash my face. I yawned again, grabbing the toothpaste and toothbrush, and began brushing my teeth.

After a quick shower, I stepped out of the bathroom, drying off as I thought about the day ahead. I needed to go to my previous home to take my daughter to school—and bring her here. The main reason I married that prick was because of her, to be with her, so I had to make this place feel like home for her.

Speaking of that sick jerk… where the hell was he?

He wasn’t here when I woke up, so he must have left without a word.

Wait, why would I even need him to notify me?

God, am I losing my mind?

I rolled my eyes, slipping into a black fitted gown that hugged my curves just right and paired it with a black jacket. I completed the look with a pair of black stilettos and picked up my handbag. After doing the essentials to my face and hair, I headed out.

Outside, I spotted a black Bentley waiting for me with the keys on the hood. At least he did something reasonable and had my car brought over.

I slicked my hair back and walked over to the car, picking up the keys before getting in.

I drove straight to my house, where my adorable little Dawn was waiting outside with Jemima.

She had an impatient look on her face, pouting her lips and tapping her foot. I couldn’t help but giggle as I stepped out of the car.

“Momma, you’re late! I’ve been waiting for ages,” she complained in her tiny five-year-old voice. I squatted down to her level, pulling her into a hug, which she gladly returned.

“I missed you, Momma. Why did you leave me here all alone? Don’t you want to be with me anymore? Don’t you want me to see my daddy? I want to be with Daddy,” she said with a sad pout. Her gray eyes looked just like her father’s—even the curve of her lips.

She blinked up at me, her face adorable, and I cupped her cheeks gently.

“Don’t think that, sweetheart. Of course, Momma wants you with her and with your daddy too. Just wait until this evening, and you’ll be with us, okay?” I said, smiling to reassure her. Her face lit up with that cute, gummy smile that could melt anyone’s heart.

“Really, Momma? Then can Dada come pick me up today?” she asked, and suddenly, I felt it.

The feeling of something precious slipping out of my grasp, and me being powerless to stop it.

How could she be so attached to her father when she hadn’t even met him yet? What would happen when she finally did?

My heart skipped a beat at the thought, and I swallowed hard.

“Why? Don’t you like Momma picking you up anymore?” I asked, watching her shake her head.

“It’s not that. I love it when you pick me up, but I want Dada to pick me up so my classmates won’t call me a fragile girl again,” she said, and I pulled her into a hug.

“It’s okay… I’ll let Dada know, alright? If that would make you happy,” I said, my heart clenching at my own words. Her joyous jump and smile nearly brought tears to my eyes.

If I had known seeing her father would make her this happy, I would have granted her wish a long time ago, even if it meant sacrificing my own happiness.

"I love you, Momma… come, let’s go to school," Dawn said, pulling me back toward the car with her tiny hands.

"I love you too, Dawn," I replied, settling into the driver’s seat while she climbed into the back. I glanced at her in the rearview mirror, smiling as I caught her cheerful expression.

Jemima sat beside me, and off we went.

We arrived at her school, and I watched as she got out and crossed through the gate, heading up the stairs. But a familiar figure caught my eye.