Chapter 001

Savannah:

'Seven by JK of BTS' played in the background as I prepared a little too extravagant meal for Dane. I was humming and dancing to the music when Charlotte, the housekeeper, walked in.

"Miss Savvy, would you like some help? You shouldn't be doing this" Charlotte said with a worried look on her face but I shook my head, dancing and hitting Charlotte gently with my shoulders.

"Dance with me, then?" I pouted then laughed when Charlotte gave me a dramatic look.

"It's my third wedding anniversary today, Charlotte. I can't have you preparing my husband's food on a special day like this. It should be more like an appreciation for his love and care. Besides, I have good news for him today. You'll be happy to find out too" I told her as I made fillings for the snacks.

"If you put it that way, then" Charlotte replied and swirled her hips to the rhythm of the song.

"Go Charlotte!" I teased and we bursted out laughing, dancing and preparing for Dane's arrival.

It was already three hours past the time Dane would normally return home but he was nowhere in sight. I was about to give up when I heard him come in.

"Welcome home, Dane" I greeted, going to take off his coat.

"Uhm... You came late?" I said, more in a questionable tone.

"Is there a problem with that?" His answer was rough and curt, almost mocking.

"No... It's just, you never came late before, I was wondering..."

"You don't need to wonder about anything, Savannah. I'm not a child that should have curfews, I can come in and stay out anytime I see fit, so Just be a good girl and let me breathe, okay?" He cut me off and I swallowed the hurt that rise in my lungs, nodding in understanding.

He had a lingering female scent on him and I wanted to ask if he went out on a team's dinner or something. I was really curious but I knew it was a bad idea to ask and I didn't want to trigger his anger. Not today at least.

The smile returned to my face as I took his bag and turned to go upstairs but he suddenly held my hand and turned me to face him with a force that had me bumping hard into his chest.

His bag fell to the ground with a loud thud and I suppressed a wince as I stared up into his eyes, my heart thumping hard against my ribcage.

"Dane... I, I prepared dinner..."

"I don't want it. I ate before coming" his voice interjected and I blinked back my tears. I had no idea if it was how hard his hand was gripping mine or the fact that he didn't appreciate my effort to prepare his meals as his wife that brought tears to my eyes.

"I have something to tell you" I said, my voice barely over a whisper as his hand left mine, slowly, only to wrap around my waist, moving me closer to him.

Hell, I already knew what was coming but I didn't dare to refuse him bluntly.

He bent to my neck and nibbled on it roughly and I felt his fangs graze my skin harshly. I tried to pull away but he didn't budge. It was like trying to push off a stack of iron.

"Dane... I,"

"Just zip it, Savannah. You can talk after this. I want this, right now. You know what happens if I don't get what I want right?" He murmured dangerously against my ears and I shivered visibly knowing what was coming next. I swallowed my protests as his hands roamed my body harshly.

He gripped my wrist hard and pulled me with him as he made his way upstairs. I was practically running to catch up with his long strides as he took the stairs two and three at a time.

It took all my willpower to stop myself from yanking my hands off his and yell into his face that I am not ready for this. That I am tired of his countless bullies, physically, emotionally and sexually and that I had a different plan today, but I couldn't.

That would be equivalent to defying him. Things would only get rougher and he'd be mad at me. I didn't want that.

He probably doesn't even remember what day it was while I worked my ass off trying to get everything prepared, only for him to ruin it like this.

Every single time when he does this... takes me roughly, it hurts. I had convinced myself it would get better but it didn't. Yet, I was willing to bend to his commands as long as it made him happy .

Although it's been three years since our marriage, I make myself happy by believing that one day he'll realize my efforts and acknowledge my affection towards him, but I was starting to lose all hopes on that.

My heart thumped hard against my ribcage as he got to my room and pushed me down to the bed.

"Dane... I, just hear me out first okay? It's something you'll like to know" I stammered, scared and looking for something... A distraction to make him not do this today. I wasn't feeling too well and I didn't think I was strong enough to handle his roughness but he wasn't even listening.

I watch him take off his shirt briskly then his belt, and his pants. He climbed into the bed and I instinctively shifted back but I realized it was a wrong move when his hand gripped my ankles hard, pulling me towards him while he towered over me with a dangerous look in his eyes. He was pissed, I could tell that much.

"Don't you dare try to run from me, Savannah. Isn't this what you wanted when you pulled that trick to get me to marry you? I am your husband and you're my chosen mate. You shouldn't resist me now that you've gotten the fame you wanted" he whispered into my ears, making my face drip with tears.

His words were like a dagger through my heart, each word piercing deep and hurting what was left of my self respect. At this rate, I couldn't help but wonder if I was really guilty of what happened that night. That one incident that made me the wife of the very guy I'd loved for several years secretly. The night he was drugged and ended up sleeping with a drunk me.

After that night, he was forced to marry me to prevent a scandal from causing damage to his family's company. I'd loved him before then, so I didn't regret that night, nor did I regret being forced to marry him but he hated everything about me, stemming from the fact that he thinks I drugged him that night.

Every single day, he never fails to remind me that I am nothing but a whore. I would never mean something more in his eyes and I will have to put up with all these torments every single day of my life until I realize my mistake. A mistake I never made.

He had me trapped beneath him and before I could process what was happening, he tore off my dress and pants, leaving me naked and vulnerable. I saw the satisfaction in his eyes to see me shivering in fear.

"Please..." I trailed off, my eyes glassy, pleading for him to stop, but it was pointless. He pinned both my hands above my head and thrust hard into me, making me arch my back as I let out a painful scream.

Every intimate moment I had with Dane always makes me question what girls seem to enjoy in sex. Right from my first time until now, everything I ever felt having sex was pain and tonight was no different.

Dane kept thrusting into me roughly, his pace increasing with each thrust and I couldn't stop my tears as I begged him to stop.

He wasn't listening. His brutality continued for several minutes until he found his release and pulled out of me. He got dressed and without saying another word, he walked out on me, leaving me sour, in pain and in shame.

I felt like some property meant to bring him pleasure every single time while I struggled to bear my own cross.

Like every other night, I cried myself to sleep.