Chapter 5 

Maya's POV 

"Yes, my wife. Is there a problem with that, Mr. Thorne?" 

Alex's smile turned casual, almost playful, but his eyes remained sharp. "No problem at all. I just... might have thought differently." 

Daniel's jaw clenched, and I could feel the anger radiating off him. "If you'll excuse us," he said, his voice tight. "We're needed inside." 

As he began to steer me away, Alex spoke up again. "Before you go, I must say, Mr. Russo, you're a lucky man." His voice was warm, but his eyes never left mine. "Your wife is not only beautiful but incredibly knowledgeable. A rare combination." 

Daniel's laugh was just a touch too loud, too forced. "Oh, I know how fortunate I am," he said, pulling me closer. "Maya is... one of a kind." 

I could feel Daniel's fingers digging into my side, a silent warning. Play along, they seemed to say. 

"We're very much in love," I heard myself say, the words tasting like ash in my mouth. "Aren't we, darling?" 

Daniel's smile was all teeth. "Absolutely besotted," he agreed. 

As we turned to leave once more, Alex reached out, his hand gently grasping my wrist. Daniel's head snapped around, his eyes blazing with fury at the contact. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. 

Alex, seemingly oblivious to Daniel's death stare, chuckled playfully. "Before you go, Maya," he said, smoothly tucking a business card into my hand, "please, reach out anytime. I'd love to continue our conversation. Who knows? I might even have an offer for you." 

With that, Daniel was already pulling me away. I could feel Alex's eyes on us as we left, but I didn't dare look back. 

Daniel steered me through the crowded ballroom, his grip never loosening, until we reached a quiet corner. In an instant, his pretense crumbled. His eyes, moments ago filled with false adoration, now blazed with unbridled fury.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he hissed, his face inches from mine. 

Before I could respond, he snatched the business card from my hand. With deliberate slowness, he tore it into tiny pieces, letting them flutter to the floor like confetti. 

"Whoring yourself out to the first man who gives you a compliment?" Daniel sneered. "You're pathetic." 

I jerked my arm free, rubbing the spot where his fingers had dug in. "What are you talking about? I was just talking to him!" 

"Talking?" Daniel scoffed. "Is that what you call it? I saw the way you looked at him. You were practically begging him to fuck you." 

I felt something snap inside me. Years of pent-up anger and resentment came bubbling to the surface. "Oh, like you're one to talk," I spat. "How long have you been screwing Fiona behind my back, huh?" 

Daniel's face contorted with rage. "Don't you dare bring her into this. Fiona is twice the woman you'll ever be. She's talented, beautiful, charming—everything you're not."

Each word was a dagger to my heart, but I refused to let him see how much they hurt. Instead, I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze squarely. As I did, years of pain and disappointment flashed through my mind.

I thought of all the times I'd bitten my tongue, swallowed my pride, endured the comparisons and the put-downs. I'd done it all in the desperate hope that someday, somehow, I'd earn their love. My parents', Daniel's, even Fiona's. I'd believed that if I just tried hard enough, was good enough, they'd finally see me.

But all I'd gotten was more pain, more rejection. The realization hit me like a tidal wave: it would never be enough. I would never be enough for them.

And yet... there was one person who had always loved me unconditionally. My mother. The woman who had cared for me, comforted me, believed in me when no one else did. The thought of her, ill and in need, made my heart clench.

I knew that walking away meant potentially losing the financial support for her medical expenses. The thought terrified me. But staying... staying meant losing myself entirely.

In that moment, I made my choice. I couldn't set myself on fire to keep them warm anymore. Not even for her. We'd find another way. We had to.

"If that's how you feel," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside, "then let's end this charade. Let's get a divorce."For a moment, Daniel looked genuinely shocked. Then he laughed, a harsh, ugly sound. "A divorce? Is that supposed to be a joke?" 

"I'm not joking," I said, my voice steady despite the trembling in my hands. "You love Fiona so much? Fine. I'll give you what you want. Divorce me. All I ask is that you continue to pay for my adoptive mother's medical expenses. Do that, and I'll never bother you again." 

Daniel's laughter died abruptly. His eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint appearing in them. "You think it's that easy?" he growled. "You don't get to make that choice. You're my wife. Mine. I decide when this ends, not you." 

He grabbed my arm again, his fingers digging in painfully. "You need to be taught a lesson," he hissed. "When we get home, you're not leaving the house again. Not until you learn your place." 

Fear coursed through me, but I refused to show it. "You can't do that," I said, trying to keep my voice from shaking. "You can't just lock me up."

Daniel's smile was cold, cruel. "Watch me."

As he dragged me towards the exit, I caught a glimpse of Alex across the room. Our eyes met for a brief moment, and I saw concern flash across his face. But then Daniel pulled me around a corner, and Alex disappeared from view.

My mind raced as we left the party, Daniel's grip never loosening. What had I done? What was going to happen to me?

As we stepped into the cool night air, Daniel suddenly stopped. He turned to me, his eyes glinting with malice in the dim light.

"You know, Maya," he said, his voice deceptively soft, "I've been thinking. You seem to have forgotten something very important."

My blood ran cold. "What do you mean?"

His grip on my arm tightened painfully. "Everything you are, everything you have – it's because of me. Your job, your status, even your precious adoptive mother's care. I gave you all of that."

I tried to pull away, but his grip was like iron. "Daniel, you can't—"

"Can't what?" he sneered. "Can't remind you of your place? Face it, Maya. You're nothing without me. And don't forget, I have the power to take it all away."

He leaned in close, his breath hot on my ear. "So here's what's going to happen. You're going to go home, and you're going to remember exactly who's in charge here. This little rebellious phase of yours? It ends now."

With a rough shove, he pushed me towards the waiting car. As I stumbled inside, his final words followed me:

"Remember, Maya. You're mine. And you always will be."

***