Chapter 005

I could see Gregory’s indifferent face as he told me I needed to give him a child. A smile played on my lips—why was I laughing? Out of desperation because of all the things Gregory had said to me in the short time we had been married, those words were the worst.

There was a brief and heavy silence between us. I felt a knot tightening in my throat as I considered the possibility of having a child with that man. I couldn’t bear for any man to touch me again. The images of Mason on top of me, forcing himself on me while I begged him to stop, came flooding back, nearly pushing me into a panic attack.

“Find another way to get your inheritance because I won’t have a child with you.”

My defiant words forced me to display determination, even as his sharp gaze bore into me and fear of what Gregory might do next gripped me.

“I’m not giving you an option, Emma; I’m telling you.” Gregory’s response was short and cold, and I felt there was nothing I could say to change his mind.

“Are you going to force me to lie with you?”

“Do you think I’d feel any pleasure lying with you?” He took a threatening step toward me. “Even with your consent?”

His reply came quick and twisted. I recoiled, terrified, and Gregory noticed because he swiftly stepped back.

“You’ll undergo artificial insemination,” he said, clearing his throat and immediately turning his back on me.

I could feel his fury radiating through his heavy breathing. This situation was unsettling for both of us, and it was clear neither of us wanted to live through this moment. I then thought of the awful days I had endured in this house and knew I couldn’t stay here much longer. I would rather not spend the rest of my life married to a man who didn’t love me, serving only as a means for him to achieve what he truly desired.

Not only that, but I needed to be smart and use this situation to my advantage.

I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and tried to calm my racing heart.

“We can make a deal,” I said, and he slowly turned his neck to look at me. “I’ll give you what you want, and you’ll set an expiration date on this marriage.”

The look Gregory gave me sent shivers down my spine, and I braced myself for another attack, but he didn’t move an inch toward me.

“Do you think this is a game, Emma?” I saw the exact moment he shut off his emotions. He clenched his teeth and bared them at me. “I’m not willing to play by your rules.”

“You’re only married to me to secure your inheritance, and I only want my freedom back,” I said, not even thinking about the consequences. “I just want an end to this marriage. I’m sure you can’t bear the thought of spending the rest of your life with me.”

My words seemed to have the desired effect. Gregory spent a long time mulling over what I had said. His face twisted, and his eyes grew colder than I ever imagined they could be.

“Five years,” he said. I frowned. Was he agreeing to my terms? “As long as you get pregnant within a year or less.”

“Three years,” I countered, and Gregory didn’t like it. “That’s enough time for you to get what you want.”

I watched as he moved, one step after another, until he stopped directly in front of me, mere inches away.

“If I give you three years, will you do everything I want?” I suddenly saw something strange in Gregory’s eyes. It wasn’t hatred or coldness, but pure malice.

My body trembled involuntarily. What was he planning? What were Gregory’s true intentions? I considered backing down, accepting the five years he had imposed, and forgetting this entire conversation. But five years felt like an eternity by his side.

“I’ll do everything you want,” I said, my eyes shut tight, as fear erupted like a storm within my chest.

I knew I would regret this—I was sure of it—but I was willing to pay any price for my freedom. When I finally opened my eyes, Gregory had stepped away, now standing with his back to me.

“I’ll call my lawyer to prepare our agreement.” His voice returned to its usual tone, but my heart continued racing uncontrollably. “Go to your room, Emma, and wait for me there.”

“What?” I stammered.

Just moments ago, he had claimed he had no desire to touch me, and now he was telling me to go to my room and wait for him. What kind of twisted game was this?

“You said you’d do everything I wanted.” he turned on his heels but didn’t look at me. “And I want to make this baby the traditional way.”

I held my breath, feeling as though I might die right then and there. I watched Gregory, dressed in his unbuttoned white shirt, his icy blue eyes, and the strands of hair that insistently fell over his face. He was undeniably handsome, but he was cruel for proposing such a condition.

He left, leaving me with more questions than answers. Fear consumed my thoughts. How could I have been so naive? I was doomed to remain with a man who had forced me into marriage and who had bought me for his benefit.

My heart raced with every step I took toward my impending fate. Every sexual encounter I had ever had was forced upon me by my mother’s husband. I felt nothing but disgust every time Mason touched me. I would take ten showers a day just to erase his scent from my skin. But this time, it was different—I had given Gregory permission to touch me. Even though fear gripped me, there was little I could do.

Minutes dragged on, and Gregory didn’t return. Perhaps he had reconsidered and abandoned the idea. But seconds later, the door opened, and he entered. I felt incapable of meeting his gaze and remained with my back to him, knowing the moment had come.

“Here’s your agreement, Emma.” I was forced to turn my head to look at him. “Sign it.”

Gregory stood just inches from me, holding out a document. It took me a while to take it—I could barely bring myself to read it. When I finally grabbed the pen, I signed it.

I was sealing my fate and the consequences it would bring.

“Excellent.” Gregory retrieved the document and placed it aside before looking at me.

“Do you want to do this?” His question caught me off guard. “Because I don’t force women to be with me.”

I had given him my word that I would do whatever he wanted. If I backed out, Gregory would tear up the agreement and force me to live by his side forever.

I nodded, signaling that I was willing.

Gregory stepped closer and took me in his arms. The night outside was cold, but inside the room, it became as scorching as a desert.