Chapter 3: Punishing Her

The beeping sound. The smell of antiseptics. Those were the first things Taylor heard and smelt when she opened her eyes. 

Why was she in the hospital? She clearly remembered jumping into the ocean. 

She tried to get up, but couldn't as a pang of pain waltzed through her, pushing her back to the bed. 

"Taylor! Taylor, you're awake! Thank goodness! I was so worried, baby!" Ava cried out, racing to her daughter's side. 

Taylor's eyes settled on her mother's face. The puffy eyes and black eye bags underneath Ava's eyes made her heart break. 

If she had died like she wanted to, she wouldn't be feeling this much pain. 

"Why would you try to kill yourself, Taylor? Do you have any idea how worried your father and I was when we heard the news?" Ava berated tearfully, caressing Taylor's hand. 

My father. Taylor glanced around the room in search of Dante. 

"He didn't come." Ava revealed and Taylor turned to her. The woman forced on a smile as she continued, "Your father's reputation has been ruined as everyone now knows you tried to kill yourself. The company's stock price plummeted and,.." 

At this point, Ava couldn't stop her tears from falling. 

"What happened, mother?" Taylor asked anxiously, trying to get up again. 

However, Ava pressed her back on the bed and caressed her face gently, "Whatever happened isn't your fault, baby. Your father was already deep in debt before this happened, okay?" 

As she spoke, the door flung open and a man in suit walked in. He wore spectacles and carried a briefcase. 

He glanced around the ward with a cold face, then proceeded to take out something from his briefcase. 

"I'm Attorney Christopher Robert, Mr. Radford's lawyer. Here is the marriage certificate Mr. Radford instructed me to give you." The man introduced himself, dropping the file he took out which he identified as the marriage certificate, on the table. 

"Marriage certificate?" Taylor tried to say, but her voice came out croaky and barely audible. She glanced at her mother who took her eyes away. 

"I don't want to get married to Andrew Radford!" Taylor said defiantly, tearing the certificate apart. 

Christopher clenched his jaw, but gave no other visible reaction. He reached into his briefcase again and took out another certificate. 

"It's a good thing Mr. Radford asked me to prepare more than one, Miss Fairchild." Christopher said, meeting her eyes. There was a warning in it and Taylor got the message. 

"Mother, why do I have to get married to him? Why can't I just work hard and pay every bit of money father owes back to him?" Taylor sniffled, turning to her mother. 

Ava turned to face Taylor again and held her hands. Then looking into her daughter's eyes, she admonished, "Listen to me, Taylor. Your father and I have lost most things to Andrew Radford. So if you don't want us to lose everything, you need to marry him." 

"But I don't want to…" Taylor whimpered. 

"I know. I know, baby." Ava consoled, pulling Taylor into her embrace. 

After much persuasion from Ava, Taylor took the pen Christopher offered and penned down her name on the certificate.

Christopher took it and left the ward without wasting any more time. 

That same day, news spread all over California that Andrew Radford had gotten married to Taylor Fairchild in secret. And Dante's companies were handed back to him. 

Three days later when Taylor felt stronger, she was discharged from the hospital and driven straight to Andrew's house. 

As the Lincoln carrying her drove into the vicinity, Taylor felt a chill run down her spine. Unlike the Fairchild's residence which was always bustling with activity and people, she hadn't seen any human ever since they drove in. 

The house was beyond beautiful but the colour it was in creeped out Taylor. Of course, only a psychopath would paint his entire house black. 

"Welcome, Mrs. Radford." The driver stated and Taylor flinched. 

Mrs. Radford? She felt her skin crawl at being called that. 

The door was opened from outside and she tentatively got down. Her eyes caught sight of the gun holstered behind the man who had opened the car door for her and she unconsciously swallowed a lump. 

Taylor was too scared to admire the beauty of the house when she stepped into the living room. At the same time, she finally saw a third person since she got to the residence. 

The maid had her head lowered as she said, "Please follow me, Mrs. Radford." 

Taylor followed her without question until they got to a room. The maid opened the door and motioned for her to go in. 

"Mr. Radford designated this room for you. You can use the intercom on your bedside table to summon me if you need anything." The maid disclosed, turned around and left. 

Just like the rest of the house, this room was painted in black. Taylor, who was a fan of bright colours like white, slid down the wall and wrapped her hands across her body. 

She didn't know how long she stayed in that position until a knock sounded on her door followed by a voice, "Mr. Radford is back and he orders that you eat dinner with him. You have five minutes to get ready." 

Five minutes? How could she get ready in five minutes? 

The tendency to be disobedient tugged at Taylor's heart but something in her reminded her she'd be in a big mess if she delayed one second. Hence, she quickly changed her clothes and followed the maid outside her door to the dining room. 

There were rumors Andrew was short and ugly as he hadn't shown himself to the public for years. So, Taylor expected to see such when she stepped into the dining room. However, she was literally blown away by the sight she saw. 

He sat alone eating with an aloof and distant demeanor. When he heard them walk in, he stopped eating and glanced up, his grey piercing eyes seemed to look right through Taylor.

He had a stoic expression that revealed no emotion. He lowered his eyes again seconds later and continued eating. His movements were controlled and deliberate. 

He had a strong jawline, sharp cheekbones, and a prominent nose. His hair was styled in a sleek and sophisticated manner, and his clothing was tailored and impeccably fitted. His posture was typically upright and confident.  

"I said to be here in five minutes." His voice was magnetic, but there was nothing soothing about his words. 

"I had to change my clothes and it took me a while to get here." Taylor responded, taking her eyes off him. 

She could feel the maids around take in a deep breath, but didn't bother with them. 

She heard him chuckle deeply. "You didn't read the marriage certificate, did you?" 

"I didn't." 

Andrew stopped eating. He dropped his cutleries and glanced up at her, his gaze icy, "Which is why I'm going to pardon you today. The next time you come later than I ask you too, I'll make your life very miserable." 

Taylor met his cold eyes. She was sure she hadn't met him before in her life. So why was he looking at her like they had met before and she had done something bad and unforgiving to him? 

"For coming late to dinner you're exempted from having dinner tonight." He concluded, got up and left.  

She thought he was bluffing, but when she turned to the dinner table, she discovered the maids around were taking the dishes away.

"What are you doing? I haven't had dinner yet and I haven't eaten the whole day!" She yelled anxiously, but none of them paid her any heed. 

"How can you be so cold and callous like the rumors say!" Taylor yelled angrily behind him. 

Andrew stopped walking. The man stood straight with his back to her. Tilting his head to the side, he repeated her words, "Cold and callous? Indeed, I am cold and callous." 

He snapped his fingers and someone came running into the room. "Boss." 

"Take her to the basement. Turn off the lights and turn off the heater." Andrew instructed. 

Turn off the lights? Taylor's eyes flashed with fear. She was claustrophobic! She would lose her mind without light even if she stayed for only a few minutes! 

"No, don't touch me! I can't be in the dark! I'll lose my mind!" Taylor yelled with all her might, struggling to run away. 

Unfortunately for her, Andrew's henchman was stronger. 

Despite her pleas, Andrew coldly watched as she was dragged away. 

Of course he knew she was claustrophobic. He had thoroughly done his research about her in preparation for this day. 

Taylor Fairchild. You're stuck with me for the rest of your life and you'll live each day wishing it was your last.