Chapter 002

Suddenly, I found myself alone in that room with more questions than answers. I let a tear run down my eye and soon found myself desperate to get away. 

How could I be married to a man I didn’t know? I would never accept such a situation in my life. I decided that I couldn’t allow the consummation to happen; after all, I was unable to bear any man touching me again.  

I wiped my face and, when I stood up, I realized I was wearing new, clean clothes. The mirror’s reflection startled me. My nose was red and all the swelling was even in one of my eyes. I barely remembered what had happened, but Mason had hit me so hard that I had fainted. 

Carefully, I walked to the door, hoping it wasn’t locked. The night breeze caressed my face as I opened it. I quietly left the room, slipping down the wide, dimly lit corridor. I had no idea where I was going; the place was simply enormous.  

I spotted a giant staircase, and my light steps took me there, making sure that no one would see me slip away. My restless mind was searching for solutions. What would I do once I got out of that house? Where would I go? How would I survive in that cruel world, completely alone? I had no family, no one I could go back to. My mother was dead. But I knew that wasn’t the fate I wanted for myself.  

I was determined to escape from a husband I didn’t know and avoid a fate that awaited me, one that could be worse than living next door to Mason.  

I descended the last step and was ready to escape. 

“Are you going somewhere?” Gregory’s voice suddenly came out, making me freeze in time as a shiver ran down my spine. 

I turned to look at him and saw him standing in the middle of the large room, his arms wrapped around his body and his gaze sharp, as if he had been waiting for this moment. 

“You took longer than I expected to try to escape,” I sensed sarcasm in his voice. 

“How did you know I would escape?” 

“Mason warned me,” he shrugged.  He was right when he said you were weak and cowardly.” 

My fingers tightened on the sweater I was wearing as I stared at Gregory’s cold, indifferent face that filled my mind. I hardly knew the man, but I hated him with all my might. 

“What kind of man are you, capable of buying a woman to make your wife?” Feeling as if lightning had struck me, I boldly asked him, “Do you think I’m a commodity?” 

“Is that what fucking Mason said to you? That you’re a commodity?” 

His gaze remained cold and full of loathing, only this time a discreet smile appeared on his lips. Which, in a way stunned me. 

“Mason owed my company a lot of money. He needed to pay it back.” I stared at him in surprise. ”I needed a young, beautiful wife. This was more than a sale, but an exchange of favors.” 

Gregory’s icy words echoed in my mind. 

“Then it’s worse than I imagined,” as he finished speaking, I raised my eyes and watched him approach. “Know that I don’t accept these conditions and that I won’t stay married to you.” 

Gregory grabbed my wrists so hard that I groaned in pain. He pulled me closer and squeezed my bruised and sore face with his other hand. 

“I’m not negotiating with you, Emma. I’m informing you. If you don’t agree, I can guarantee you won’t see the light of day again.” 

I knew at that moment that Gregory wasn’t joking, when he pushed me, making me lose my balance and fall to my knees on the cold, dark floor of the house.  

“You’re not here to question my motives,” he continued with his vile and merciless speech,  “you’re here to be my wife and do whatever I tell you. You should be a little grateful and realize that you’re now free of your cruel stepfather.” 

I couldn’t lift my face to look at him. His words would hurt me far more than any bruise left on my fragile body.  Gregory seemed to know a lot about me, while I had no idea who he was. The only certainty I had was that I had left one prison and entered another; once, that was enough for my broken heart.  

For the third time, Gregory’s voice echoed through the enormous house, this time ordering Samantha to take me back to my room. She helped me to my feet as I felt my legs trembling. I took a deep breath, hiding all my frustration, and swallowed my tears. I wouldn’t give that man the pleasure of seeing me suffer. 

When I finally raised my face to look at him, he was no longer there. Samantha dragged me into the bedroom because I didn’t have the strength to move. I felt comfortable crying in front of her and she, after finally putting me to bed, began to console me.

“Don’t despair, miss,” she put the blanket over me,” Mr. Gregory will be a good husband. As long as you’re in this house, you’ll be safe.” 

I stood up suddenly, as if I’d just had a great idea. With my eyes wide open, I grabbed Samantha’s hand before she could get away and questioned her. 

“You work for him,” Samantha said, startled and trying to escape, but I didn’t let her get away. “Tell me who he is and why he chose me as his wife.”

She stood petrified in front of me, as if she didn’t know what to say, but I wouldn’t let her get away before she answered all my questions. 

“I don't understand why he chose you as his wife,” her voice came out shaky and slurred, “but Mr. Gregory is the heir to a multi-billion dollar empire. He needs a wife to take over the family business.” 

“Billionaire?” I whispered, and it was as if my strength went out like a balloon. ”I married a billionaire?” 

“You’ll know everything soon enough,” Samantha smiled as if to reassure me,” you need to heal those wounds. Gregory’s grandparents will be here to meet you.” 

Another shudder ran through my body. Things were worse than I had imagined.