Chapter 3

Sierra

“Listen to me. I don't give a fuck's ass about you being with anyone but don't you dare think of trying to defame me in front of everyone! Got it?” I couldn't believe my ears at what I was saying. Was he implying I was trying to make a pass at Joel?

“You've...got it all wrong...” I said in a whisper feeling so stupid to think for once that he could be a human for a brief moment. My reply ticked him off as his brows hitched higher showing his annoyance.

“Like I said! I couldn't care less if you open your damn legs for any man. I wouldn't be surprised if you have before getting married to me. But listen I would not let my family get even a wink about our marriage being a sham. I've reached this far and I will soon take my place in my father's mafia organization and you won't ruin this for me Sierra!” He threatened me and grabbed both my arms in a tight hold.

I hissed feeling the pain already before hearing subtle footsteps coming towards us. Mason immediately let go of me clearing his throat while I only gulped as his words were now registered in my brain. He saw me as a whore. He saw me as a woman with no shame. Who was he to judge me without even knowing me.

I could always tell he saw me as an eyesore and a stain he couldn't remove even though deep down he wanted to. I still wanted to believe there was a reason why he didn't want to divorce me because it was clear he didn't want me as his wife. I wasn't his choice but of his parents.

“Go to my room to straighten your hair before coming down to the party. Seriously Joel?! Who did I marry. Fuck...” I heard the last part to which he said in a whisper before he turned around heading back to the party but I felt the need to announce what I wanted to say.

“I am...not a w-whore.” I gulped hard seeing him halt the moment I spoke. I felt the urgency to spell this fact to him but seeing his hardened face spoke enough signs that I made a terrible mistake. He grabbed my chin hard sending cold chills down my body as he made sure my eyes faced his dark ones.

“Listen to me very carefully so you don't make this mistake ever again. Don't you ever talk back to me in your life! Only speak when asked to like a controlled talking doll. Nothing else should come out from that pretty mouth of yours. Don't test my patience because I can be lethal and deadly when am infuriated. Even am surprised by the lengths I could go if am angered especially when it's a woman. A lowly one at that.”

He rubbed my neck with his other hand quite roughly while still gripping me tightly by my chin with his other hand. Again that tattoo of his came into view and I was realized once again that I was married to a monster of a man. And that tattoo specifically told me many things about him.

My heart quickened as his hand kept roaming my neck in fear. His callous hands were terrifying and I stared in horror fearing he could snap my neck in a split second. His face was far from cooling off making all the hairs in my body erect.

“Do you understand my dear wife? It would be a shame to end you now when am close to what I want. I honestly don't want that so don't make me loose control.” He spoke deeply in a chilling whisper. With the fear taking over me, I immediately gave a nod. My eyes already stinged with tears.

“Mason? It's you.” We both heard a voice and Mason glared at me before letting go of me. I immediately wiped my tears and was grateful for the dim lighted hall that hid my swollen red eyes. The man was Mr Reek and I noticed him once at an event I attended two months back with Mason to a charity venue. He was a business partner to Mason.

Mr Reek looked at us slyly assuming we were making out shamelessly in the hall and Mason didn't bother to deny his thoughts. I smiled and excused myself leaving Mason and Reek.

I carried myself and did my best to walk at a fast pace and prayed not to bump into anyone. I got upstairs and knew none of the guests would be seen roaming at this part of the mansion which was a huge relief for me.

I was heading straight to Mason's room at the far end of the hallway I just walked into when I heard murmurs. I continued walking but kept my feet slow as I neared Mason's room. I found a room that was barely closed. It was Joel's room. I passed the room and heard the voices clearly. It was Mrs Liliana with two of her daughters Freya and Coletta.

I was almost passed the room's reach when I heard my name casually in their conversation and halted. I took three steps back and listened in.

“Am sure dad is going to announce it tonight. Damn it!” Freya said and seemed annoyed. “Of course he would. Mason and Belle must be over the moon because of this. This is all Joel's fault! He's a disgrace to us!” She added before wiping a glass perfume off the table sending it to shatter on the floor.

“It could be that maybe Amalie is not a turn on for Joel. This is a disaster!” Coletta said pacing about in the room while my eyes landed on Mrs Liliana. Even she seemed distraught about a news that Mr Cyrus was apparently going to announce at the party.

I didn't know why but hearing this news about Mr Cyrus making an announcement at the party was giving me goosebumps. It didn't mean something good in my opinion and stilled hearing my name being brought up in their discussion again.

“That dumb Sierra has no idea what she signed up for by agreeing to marry Mason. She believes he's a Prince Charming. What a clueless bitch. If only she knew why dad chose her to become Mason's wife. The horror!” Coletta said and I saw her eyes holding some sort of pity for me which didn't sit well in my stomach. Mrs Liliana laughed sheepishly and had a wicked smile on her face. She almost resembled a deranged woman and it creeped me out. “That poor girl has no idea what she's in for. Cyrus doesn't care for her. He only wants someone dumb to be his favorite son's lapdog wife. And her pathetic father didn't hesitate to sell his own daughter for millions of dollars. But if Cyrus makes that announcement, I would have to do something to get rid of that dumb Sierra! At all costs!”

I gasped in sheer fear and horror and had to cover my mouth in order not to be heard. I quickly took to my heels and dashed straight into Mason's room locking the door immediately. I was heaving heavily with my heart almost bustling out from my chest. My back rested against the door trying to catch my breath as I was finding it difficult to breathe at the moment.

I wanted to get out of here this instant. Hearing the horrible words from Mrs Liliana and her two daughters really sickened me to the core. And now they thought of wanting to get rid of me or something like that. My face went all pale. My shaky hands were looking around for my phone but I then recalled leaving my phone on the table back at the party. Now I was scared and wondered what the mystery was in this family and why Mr Cyrus wanted me as his son's wife.

I recalled Christian's family and even though they belonged to a Mafia family, I never felt so scared and out of place like I was here right now. Now seeing those trio again would definitely make me shrink in fear.

I was still trying to regain my breathing back to normal when I heard a knock on the door. I screamed out loud in fear before hearing one of the servants behind the door speaking. “It's me ma'am. Mr De Luan sent for you ma'am.”

“M-mr De Luan?” I asked before gulping relaxing a bit. “Your husband ma'am.” The man replied behind the door. I sighed heavily before informing the servant about coming down soon. I quickly fixed my hair and cleaned my face before applying a light makeup to cover my already pale face. I looked at the mirror one last time before trying to keep my already shaken body calm.

I walked out of the room with my heart up my throat. I let out a deep sigh of relief when I noticed Mrs Liliana and her daughters were no longer in the hall. I quickly rushed back to the party making a mental note not to return back here again. I didn't know if it was possible but I was sure going to do all I can to avoid meeting Mrs Liliana or her two daughters. Diana was different to her sisters and was quite close to me but right now I didn't want to be close to any family members.

I arrived to the party and out of instinct stood beside Mason. Ironic but right now I felt safer with Mason than any of his family members. I didn't even know who to trust whether Mr Cyrus or Mrs Belle. Everyone now seemed to have a motive that wasn't good at all. “What is wrong with you?” I flinched slightly when Mason's deep voice echoed in my ears.

I turned to meet his deep questioning gazes making my mouth dry. “Am...am fine.” I inhaled deeply before forcing a smile again on my face facing Mr Cyrus who was holding the mic now. He came to stand at the center of the entire backyard gathering everyone's attention on him. Seeing him smile now was like seeing him smirking an evil one.

I couldn't get over what Mrs Liliana said in Joel's room a while ago. Was Mr Cyrus only pretending and had some evil motive for choosing me as his son's wife? I had so many questions in my mind but didn't know what to believe. I had always saw Mr Cyrus as a loving father but after what I heard about him, I had doubts in my mind.

“Attention everyone. We all know why we are here together as one big family. To celebrate my son's completion of his first year wedding anniversary. It's really a blessing to see my son finally settling down and am extremely glad I chose the right girl.” I didn't know why but my stomach twisted in knots hearing those last words from his mouth.

“And now my entire family would like an heir from my son and his beautiful wife. I now believe it's the right time for that journey of theirs to begin.” Mr Cyrus added with a beamed smile. My eyes froze in place along with my body like a statue. A baby!