NOELLE

Chapter 5

NOELLE

I always imagined what it would be like living with Malcolm.

Now, he was going to take me to his home, I wanted to be anywhere but there. I wanted to stay back here, where my parents could protect me from his cruelty.

But they didn't see any reason for me to be anxious. Especially since Malcolm wasn't raging anymore.

But I saw right through the act. It was just a front to keep my parents from realizing his true intentions.

He respected them so much since they practically raised him. He didn't want them to feel disappointed that he wasn't going to treat their daughter right.

My stomach twisted in a pit of dread as we arrived at his mansion. I could only imagine what awaited me behind those walls.

Once we got in, he didn't even bother to talk to me and headed upstairs. I remained downstairs, waiting for him to return and possibly show me to my room if I had one.

I didn't think he would want me sleeping in his room.

The mansion was incredibly big but there were no servants in sight. A part of me suspected he sent them away.

If he was going to punish me, he wouldn't want anyone witnessing it, right?

I remained on the couch until I eventually fell asleep. By the time I woke up, it was almost lunchtime.

My things were still in the living room.

I went into the kitchen with the intention of making lunch but I met him in the kitchen. I froze on the spot, unaware of the next step to take.

He must have sensed my presence because he turned immediately. His eyes hardened on seeing me, and I moved backward.

“What are you doing here?” He demanded. I gulped hard.

“You didn't show me my room,” I said slowly. My voice was barely audible, but he heard me.

“Take your things upstairs and pick any room of your choice. Just get out of my face,” he snapped.

I scurried out of the kitchen to the living room. I grabbed my bags and headed up the stairs. There was a long line of rooms in the hallway, so I picked one and moved in.

It was properly furnished and it made me smile a little. At least I was getting punished in a comfortable place.

As I began to arrange my things, my stomach grumbled. It was a really bad time but I had to eat. I barely had an appetite at breakfast.

I headed downstairs, hoping he was out of the kitchen already but I met him on the stairs. The hate in his eyes startled me.

He walked past me without a word and I went to the kitchen only to discover it was locked. I almost burst into tears.

There was no reason for him to treat me like this. I understand that he hated me but it shouldn't get to the point where he starves me.

I didn't even know how to locate his room. So I went around, searching all the rooms until I found him.

He was standing by the window, staring outside. He turned the minute I stepped into the room.

“What are you doing here?” He growled.

“Kitchen keys…” I stuttered.

“I don't want you in my kitchen,” he stated. I looked at him in disbelief.

“But I need to eat!”

“Go ahead and eat then. I have no business with your meals. I just don't want you in my kitchen,” he retorted.

“Why are you doing this to me?” My.voice cracked. “I already told you I had nothing to do with Emery's disappearance…”

“You took her from me!” He snapped. “You wanted to take her place so bad, didn't you? Well, just be prepared, because I am going to make your life miserable!”

There was nothing to say in my defense anymore. He wasn't going to listen to me or believe me.

“Have you ever stopped to wonder why I would hurt your mate?” I sniffled. “Everything I did was for you…”

I tried to step closer.

“Don't you dare! The only reason you are still breathing is because of the love and respect I have for your parents” he stated.

My body stiffened. Has it really gotten to that point? The Malcolm I used to love and adore was nowhere to be found.

The man before me wanted to see me in pain. He was going to use me as a tool to pour out all his frustration and heartache.

And I couldn't even hate him for it. Despite his cold attitude towards Me. I understood the pain he was feeling inside.

The pain of not being able to be with the one you loved. I had to live with that for years and even now, I was experiencing the pro version of it.

Tears poured down my cheeks. Malcolm had never been responsible for my tears before, but now, he was going to be the reason I cried every day.

I was no longer his Fleur. His flower. I was the woman who stole his fiancé.

Mon Fleur was a name he fondly called me. He said I was a delicate flower. One he would protect with his life.

But that wasn't going to be the case now.

If my first day was already like this, I could only imagine how the rest would be.

“Now listen carefully, there are going to be some ground rules in this marriage and I would appreciate it if you stick to them,” he started.

Rules?

“One, you stay out of my face. Your presence annoys me. I want you to act as though I don't exist. Two, never in your life touch me. The day you do, I promise you will not be able to use those hands again. Three, I need you to stay off everything that belongs to me.”

He took a step closer, “That isn't so hard, is it, Noelle?”

I fought back the tears burning in my eyes as I nodded. If he wanted me to avoid him, I would.

Being in his presence brought me nothing but pain anyway.

“Good, now leave!.”