Even if it killed me

—SAMANTHA—

I clenched my fists under the blanket, my nails digging into my palm.

This man…

This man had crushed me, humiliated me, beaten me. And yet, he still dared to act like I wanted his attention. Like I wanted him.

I took a slow breath, forcing my voice to stay calm.

"Go to bed, Zeke. You're drunk."

His smile widened. "And what if I don't want to?"

I lifted my head, meeting his gaze directly. "Then find somewhere else to sleep. You’ve never needed this room before. Why now?"

His expression darkened. He hated when I challenged him.

But I was done playing the obedient wife.

Zeke smirked —a slow taunting smirk that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Quit playing games, Samantha," he muttered, his voice low and filled with warning.

What did he mean?

My stomach clenched as he took a slow step forward. I instinctively inched back, but my body stiffened when I realized I had nowhere to go.

His eyes flashed with something dark, something dangerous as he stormed forward, reaching for the king-size bed.

I moved quickly, trying to escape, but his reflexes were faster.

In an instant, his hands grabbed my wrists, pinning me down against the mattress ruthlessly.

Panic exploded in my chest.

"Zeke, stop!" I gasped, struggling against his grip.

He leaned in, his breath a mix of sandalwood and liquor hot against my skin.

"I'm a generous man," he slurred, irritation lacing his voice. "I’m rewarding you for being bold today."

My cheeks burned with humiliation. My heart pounded so hard it hurt.

"Let me go!" I hissed, thrashing wildly under him.

He smirked, clearly amused. "Or what? You’ll scream?"

I swallowed, glaring at him. "I will! I swear, I will!"

“Good.” His laughter was slow, cruel. "Go ahead," he whispered, his lips hovering close to my face. "You’re my wife, aren’t you?”

I froze.

That word—wife—coming from his mouth felt like an insult.

My stomach twisted painfully.

I hated him.

I hated him more than anything!

My throat tightened, but I forced myself to speak.

"Isn't Ophelia in the mansion? What if she hears? How do you explain to her?” I asked, my voice quiet.

And just like that, Zeke went still.

His grip on my wrists loosened. He quickly pulled away from me as if I had burned him.

Ha!

He truly values the other woman.

I stared at him, emotions swirling inside of me, my chest rising and falling rapidly.

Zeke’s jaw clenched as he shook his head vigorously as if trying to clear the alcohol from his system. Then, his expression twisted into disgust when he scowled at me.

"Bitch! Are you trying to seduce me?" he spat.

My eyes burned with tears.

He had the audacity to say that to me?

I grabbed the nearest pillow and hurled it at him. "You’re disgusting, Zeke! You’re a monster!"

For a moment, he flinched.

Just for a moment.

Then, he exhaled and straightened, his expression unreadable.

"Samantha," he said, his voice suddenly calm. "Let’s just get a divorce."

The words hit me harder than a slap.

I blinked, my throat tightening.

A divorce?

He ran a hand through his hair, sighing. "I’ll give you ten percent of my shares, ten million dollars, and a villa. Take it and leave."

It was a huge offer.

Most people would kill for a settlement like that.

But I wasn’t most people.

And that wasn’t enough to break the promise I made to Gina.

I lifted my chin, my voice cold. "I won’t divorce."

Zeke’s entire body tensed.

His eyes darkened, his fists clenching at his sides. "You’re testing my patience, Samantha! Remember you're a nobody, a dirt I picked from the slum! Don't push your luck! I will never love you!”

I said nothing.

His jaw ticked as he took a threatening step closer. "Fine," he seethed. "Then I swear with my life—I’ll make your life miserable! I’ll ensure every day is a living hell for you.”

He took a step closer, his presence looming. “You think a nobody like you can defy me and not face the consequences? Think again."

The bedroom felt colder as his words hung in the air, a chilling promise of the torment he intended to inflict.

My body shuddered, but I held my ground.

"You already have," I whispered.

His nostrils flared, eyes widening. Then his lips curled into a cruel smirk.

"You don’t get it, do you?" he said slowly. "Ophelia is the only woman who deserves to bear ‘Mrs. Frost’. She's smart, educated, and classic. You? You’re just a nobody like your stupid sister, a placeholder!”

My chest ached.

I clenched my fists, swallowing back the pain.

Zeke exhaled sharply, then turned on his heels and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

I sat there, staring at the closed door, my entire body trembling.

I had no tears left to cry.

Because the pain in my chest was beyond tears.

I wanted to divorce him. I wanted to walk away from Zeke and never look back. But I couldn’t.

Not because I loved him; I never did.

But because of Amore.

She needed a father. Even if he was cruel. Even if he barely acknowledged her. She still needed him.

If I left now, I would be breaking my promise to Gina. I swore to my sister that I would raise Amore with the family she was meant to have. That I would make sure she had a father figure in her life, no matter what.

If I walked away, Amore would be fatherless. People would talk. They would gossip about the scandal, about how she wasn’t truly a Frost. And Zeke… he would make sure the world believed it was my fault.

I couldn’t let that happen.

So, I would endure.

I would endure the humiliation, the pain, the betrayal.

For Amore.

Even if it killed me.