Mariana's PovTwo months later.“I Mariana Denaro take you Alexandr Radimr Vastlav to be my lawful wedded husband.”My back is slammed against the wall with a great force and I groan through my chuckle, immediately moaning at the feel of my husband’s tongue exploring my neck.“To have and to hold.”With a grunt, my husband rips my dress off by the hem, his large palm kneading my breast whilst the other free hand works fast at ripping off my white lacy bra and thong.Throwing my head back, an ecstatic moan slips my lips as I inhale and exhale ragged breaths through my mouth, my heart beating uncontrollably fast and hard against my ribcage.“For better or for worse.”Alex grunts against me as his lips enclose around my nipple, a pained cry immediately escaping the back of my throat when his teeth sinks into my sensitive nipple.“In sickness and in health.”He flips me around, pressing my front against the cold wall as his wet lips begin trailing kisses across my back, his teeth very oft
Mariana's PovThree months later.Psychology.The biological science which studies the phenomena of conscious life, behavior, origin, developments and manifestations of human behavior.I’ve had three months to study and observe my husband’s random changes in behavior and I’ve come to a conclusion that Alexandr Radimr Vastlav suffers from dissociative personality disorder.In simple terms, my husband suffers from multiple personality disorder. Many of which I know and have come face to face with and many of which I have no idea of.At first, I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t come to terms with the fact that my husband is a man with many different personalities. But after a series of observations and series of events that has occurred since my marriage to Alexandr, I can no longer live in denial.It is important to embrace the problem before seeking out the solution.Slipping out of my robe, my fingers lazily trail across my skin, across every mark and every dent, across every bite mark
Alejandro's PovHuman want.The strong desire to own or possess something or someone that is either unavailable, absent or inaccessible. The most interesting thing about selfish desires is the vicious manner at which it digs its claws beneath your skin, leaving you in complete pain and agony until you’re fully surrendered to the carelessness and recklessness of those desires.Growing up in a family like mine, I’ve never truly wanted anything. Not freedom, not happiness, and definitely not a sense of belonging. I lived the way I was conditioned to. But today, for the first time in my life, I want something and I’ll not rest until I have it.Funny.It really is laughable how for the first time in my life, I’m fighting an inner battle with my selfish desires all because I set my eyes upon a certain beautiful woman who happens to be my brother’s wife.I’ve never had the opportunity to be in the presence of a woman who’s as elegant and exquisite as my brother’s wife. Her soft vanilla fragr
Mariana's PovIt’s dinner time and Radimr is back. We’re seated silently at the table, waiting for the chef to bring out our dinner. And as we wait, my body tightens with nervousness by the second.The tension radiating in the room is palpable, unnerving. Radimr’s eyes are lingering on me longer than I’d like them to, as though he searches for something, an answer, a truth.Did Alejandro tell him yet?Why’s he so silent?Why’s he staring at me like this?It’s bad enough that I had to deal with one crazy man. Now, I have two of them on my tail. Worst of all, they’re brothers.How do I get out of this mess?How in the hell did Alejandro discover so much about me under a few hours?Who’s he?What power does he hold?When he said he hates his brother, why did he mean?Is he someone I can trust to help me accomplish my goals in this house?My mind reels with questions, questions that demand immediate answers.“You’re sweating,” I hear a thick and heavily accented voice. It’s my husband. I
Mariana's PovHello, this is Mariana Vastlav, Don Radimr’s new bride.Hello, this is Mariana Vastlav, Don Radimr’s new bride.Hello, this is Mariana Vastlav, Don Radimr’s new bride.That’s all I’ve heard since stepping out of Alejandro’s car. Oh, let me not forget to add the same robotic smiles and echoes of, “she’s a sight to behold,” I’ve heard from every single person Alejandro has introduced me to.Their business partners.I’ve been in this business long enough to know when I come across men and women of substance and power who are in one way another involved in this business.And now, I’m wondering which of them is powerful enough and resentful towards the Vastlavs. I’m desperately searching for a candidate who’ll help me achieve.Maybe I shouldn’t stray too far with my search. Perhaps I should look inwardly. Perhaps Alejandro has both the power and the resentment. But things might get too messy with him.I loathe the way my heart and body reacts to him.What if he changes his mi
Mariana's PovThe car is silent, the ride smooth, too silent and too smooth.We feel it, both of us, that undiluted tension, that desire. Alejandro’s eyes have refused to leave mine, he’s been holding my gaze through the rear view mirror as he drives us back home.And frankly, I’m unable to look away.It’s not until I feel my cheek getting wet when a rope of tears drags down that I realize I am lost in my brother in-law’s eyes.Laughter ripples out of me. I let myself go, laughing hard, my hand on my chest, tears pooling out of my eyes.“What’s wrong, Maria?” Alejandro asks, his brows pulled into a deep furrow. He knows, he’s a stranger, yet he knows me well enough to know there’s nothing humorous about my laughter. I’m simply expressing my pain and confusion through it.I giggle, breathing out a sigh. “My life’s fucked.”He casts me a single glance before refocusing on the road. “And you know this how?”I shrug my shoulders and bite down on my bottom lip, urging my voice to steady.
Mariana's Pov I call out. “Wait!”Alejandro stops but doesn’t turn to look at me. “What is it, Mariana?” He asks his tone leaning into the harsher side.“I. . .I. . .” I stumble upon my words.“You have to say it, Maria,” he implores, his tone impatient. “I’ll assume nothing until you’re clear with your words.”Words?I don’t do words, I do action. And for that reason, I walk past him, heading straight for the library. As I walk, the space behind me remains silent. I stop and turn around to face him. “Are you coming or what?”I don’t wait to gauge his reaction or hear his response when I leisurely stroll into the library, head for the shelf where the door to his secret room is hidden, input the code and walk into the room.Alejandro enters right after me, his intense gaze holding my stare. I wait for him to look away but he doesn’t.My heart thunders violently. Why does he like staring into my eyes so much? What is it about him that seems to overwhelm my senses whenever he’s near?He
Mariana's Pov“Why the fuck do you look so flustered, Mariana?”Radimr’s sudden question almost startles a gasp out of me, but I don’t let it, I don’t let myself show him the secrets I might be hiding.Clearing my throat, I answer on a hushed tone, “it’s nothing. I. . .I was—”“Let the lady breathe, brother, she just ran down a flight of stairs.” Alejandro interrupts, his eyes creased at the corners as though he’s smiling. Is this funny to him?Crazy motherfucker.Radimr scratches the back of his head, a hum vibrating in his throat, his head bobbing in a nod.I move forward to greet my father in-law, but he seems to be in a bad mood. His eyes are tight as he slowly drags the spiteful orbs along my form. “She lost weight, Radimr,” he says, his tone nonchalant.My husband’s tone falters when he answers, “I try