CH.126

In the short time she had been immersed in this strange new world as Knox's wife, she had quickly learned that he was not a man to be trifled with, especially when it came to matters concerning her.

His possessiveness and claims of ownership over her were utterly unshakable. Any perceived slight or threat to his prized possession would be met with swift, brutal punishment.

Yes, Killian had an infamous knack for always getting on everyone's last nerve with his crude jokes and lecherous comments.

His sharp tongue and complete lack of filter had landed him in hot water more times than anyone could count. But beneath that abrasive exterior, he also possessed an undeniably likable charm and warmth that could lighten up even the darkest of moods with his bright smile and boisterous laugh.

For all his obnoxious flaws, it was hard not to be fond of the loud-mouthed jackass.

His vibrant personality simply drew people in, like a human embodiment of sunshine cutting through the gloom.

It was a pity that Knox wasn't one to be joked about, as she had quickly learned.

She didn't need anyone spelling it out - she knew this nightmare was entirely her fault, that Killian must have crossed some line in his typical inappropriate teasing about her and Knox's relationship.

Serena had no idea what exactly had set her husband off in such an apocalyptic rage. But she knew she was the catalyst, and letting this go any further would be unforgivable.

"Knox, please..." Serena called out in a trembling voice as she begged him to stop. However, the man simply moved with an eerie grace and nonchalance, as if Killian's life meant little to him.

He strode over to the head of the long table and sat there. Then, an invisible force suddenly pulled Serena until she was deposited in the chair at his right hand.

Serena could only sit there, utterly stupefied and at an utter loss for what to do.

She had known her new husband was powerful, knew he was dangerous...but she had never truly grasped the full, terrifying extent of it until now.

As Killian's struggles finally began to weaken, it was clear Knox would let this reach the bitter end unless she found a way to intervene.

‘How can I possibly stop someone with such inhuman abilities? What words can I possibly say to pierce through the veil of cold fury that had descended over him?’

Serena knew that her next actions could very well determine whether he lived or died.

The pressure was immense, crushing down on her as she frantically searched for some way to defuse the situation before it was too late. But with every labored wheeze from Killian's throat, every twitch of his weakening limbs, she felt the window of opportunity slipping further and further away...

Serena lifted one shaky hand, half-expecting Knox to simply bat it away or worse - to lash out at her with that same dark power he was using to torture Killian.

Her heart pounded with fear and desperate hope coursing through her veins. To her surprise, Knox didn't retreat or react violently when her hand came to rest on the back of his.

His skin felt unnaturally cold beneath her touch, like marble left out in winter air.

She gave his hand a gentle squeeze as she tried once more to plead with him.

"Knox, please... I'm begging you. I'll never be able to forgive myself if something happens to Killian because of me. If he dies over this, it'll haunt me forever." She paused, swallowing hard before continuing, "I know he can be an obnoxious jerk who runs his mouth too much, but he doesn't deserve to die like this... Not over some stupid comments or jokes."

Knox's steely gaze, which had been fixed unblinkingly on Killian's struggling form, slowly turned to meet Serena's.

He arched one eyebrow quizzically as he regarded her with an unsettlingly calm demeanor that seemed crueler than if he had simply raged at her.

There was an eerie stillness about him, like the merciless eye of a hurricane promising devastation to come.

"What makes you think this has anything to do with you?" his voice was laced with an icy chill that sent a tremor through Serena. Each word was carefully enunciated, dripping with barely concealed fury.

Serena swallowed hard, trying to gather her courage under his penetrating stare. Those eyes seemed to bore into her very soul, stripping away any pretense or bravado she might have mustered.

"I just... I know, okay?" She replied, pressing on despite Knox's intimidating presence. "I don't need anyone to spell it out. Killian must have said something stupid about us like he always does with his crude jokes and innuendos. Or done something. But I'm telling you right now, I'll never let it happen again. I'll make sure I don't overstep any boundaries with your... subordinates."

Knox gritted his teeth.

For a moment, Serena was certain he would lash out at her, that she had pushed him too far. But then he let out a slow, seething breath through flared nostrils like a bull preparing to charge.

"This isn't about some comments. This is about respect, loyalty, and knowing one's place."

Knox had known for a while now that Killian had taken Serena out the night he'd awoken from his slumber.

He'd gone through the news reports and gossip rags a while ago, only to see the photos of Serena out on the town with a mysterious man he knew was Killian.

Each image had stoked the fires of his rage, building to an inferno of jealousy and possessiveness.

There had also been messages from an unknown number in his inbox for some days, which he hadn’t cared to view until earlier while Serena was getting ready.

He found out about Serena's activities - like how she'd discovered Mia was his mistress at the spa that day.

Knox knew without a doubt that these were Mia's doing. She was trying to drive a wedge between him and Serena out of spite for being cast aside, but that didn't excuse Killian's role in fanning the flames.

The final straw had been the video from the nightclub Knox had received, showing Serena dancing so sensually. She practically put herself on display for every man there to ogle and undress with their hungry eyes.

The raw, primal jealousy and possessiveness that erupted in Knox at those images had been overwhelming.

His anger had reached a boiling point, and the poor, unfortunate Killian just happened to push him over the edge with another lewd comment.

Just as Knox felt his fury taking an even darker, more uncontrollable turn, the doors to the dining hall swung open and Enzo's hulking figure strode in.