[WARNING: HEAVY MATURE CONTENT!] ---- Emmeline thinks her life is finally falling into place the day she marries Richard, a wealthy man admired in high society. But behind the charming facade he shows the world lies a volatile, controlling monster who takes twisted pleasure in demeaning her. The emotional abuse starts with cutting remarks and cruel insults but quickly escalates into something far more damaging. Richard grows physically abusive whenever Emmeline dares to defy him or fails to meet his impossibly high standards. She knows she deserves better, but his manipulation and threats keep her trapped. Determined to conceal his violent behavior, Richard moves them to an upscale neighborhood far from their old neighbors who have already seen too much. There, Emmeline crosses paths with the most dangerous and feared man in the country—a meeting that changes her life forever.
Lihat lebih banyakEmmeline attempted to pull away, to escape his hold, but he tightened his grip slightly, keeping her firmly against the car.She stared into his blazing eyes with defiance and hurt warring within her own."What could you possibly have to say?" she challenged. Her voice was hoarse from crying. "More excuses? More empty promises I'm supposed to believe?"Zavian's control finally shattered. "Did it ever occur to you I might be thinking of your best interests?" he demanded, anger flashing in his eyes like lightning in a midnight sky.Emmeline flinched at his raised voice, her eyes widening in shock. Throughout their relationship, he had never raised his voice to her. He had always maintained control that was as much a part of him as breathing.The fresh tears in her eyes trembled precariously, threatening to spill over at any moment."What did you expect from me when you told me they were sending you to France?" he continued, vibrating with emotion. "That I'd suggest we run away together t
Emmeline pulled back from his chest, certain she had misheard… certain Zavian, of all people, would never suggest such a thing.A desperate smile formed on her lips and denial was written across her features like text on a page."Tell me you're not serious," she pleaded, searching his face for any sign this was some cruel joke or test. Anything but the truth she feared.Her smile faded rapidly when she took in his expression. It was solemn, resolved, and tinged with a resignation that mirrored her own sorrow.The realization that he meant what he said crashed over Emmeline, driving the air from her lungs and leaving her gasping."You won't let them send me to France!" Her voice rose with panic.Her hands trembled as they gripped the lapels of his coat with the force of her desperation.Zavian's face remained impassive, though the muscle ticking in his jaw betrayed his inner turmoil. His usually warm gaze when they looked at her had grown distant as if he were already preparing himself
Zavian's arms tenderly enveloped Emmeline, one hand cradling the back of her head while the other pressed firmly against her spine.The steady beat of his heart against her ear provided a rhythm to focus on—something solid and real amid the chaotic storm of her thoughts.She surrendered to his embrace, drawing strength from his unwavering presence as she had done countless times before, though never with such desperation clinging to her every breath."Please help me," Emmeline whispered. "I don't want to leave."Her arms tightened around his waist with such intensity that her knuckles blanched white.The warmth of his body contrasted with the cool evening air, grounding her in the moment even as her thoughts threatened to spiral into an abyss of panic and loss."My worst nightmare is about to come true, and I have no choice but to submit.” The words tumbled out, each syllable laced with raw fear. "You're the only one who can prevent this from happening."Zavian's hands moved to her sho
They drove in silence for the remainder of the journey, the familiar streets of Riverwalk passing by in a blur outside the window.Emmeline found comfort in the quiet, grateful that at least her brother would keep her secret from their parents.After fifteen minutes that felt much longer, they pulled into the driveway of the family home.The building loomed before them. To outsiders, it represented success and harmony. To Emmeline, it had become another kind of prison, different from her marital home but confining nonetheless.They entered quietly, only to find their parents standing in the living room, their postures tense with anticipation.Eleanor rushed toward them. "You’re so late! My heart almost stopped from the stress of waiting," she exclaimed, directing her words to Emile despite Emmeline being the one whose fate had been decided today. "What happened in court? Did Emmeline lose the lawsuit?"Emile forced a smile. "What's all this pessimism, Mom?"Charles approached them as w
Emmeline remained rooted to the spot until Zavian reluctantly removed his hands from her shoulders.His jaw clenched in frustration, and he muttered something that sounded like "stubborn" under his breath.Only then did Emmeline allow her brother to lead her away."Thank you all," Emile threw over his shoulders in genuine gratitude despite his obvious desire to leave.Minnie looked annoyed at Emile's behavior. She waved enthusiastically to Emmeline nonetheless."You’ve won the case now and there's no longer any need to hide. I expect you to come visit me soon!"She raised her voice deliberately to ensure Emile would catch her next words. "No more locking you up at home, do you hear me?"Emile rolled his eyes disapprovingly at the comment.On the other hand, Emmeline kept her gaze fixed on Zavian as long as possible, drinking in the sight of him until they turned the corner at the end of the hallway and he disappeared from view."You're really something, Emmeline," Emile muttered once t
The effect proved instantaneous. Richard's face drained of color until it resembled chalk as his earlier bravado evaporated like morning mist before a scorching sun.A visible tremor ran through his body, starting at his hands and traveling upward until his entire frame shook uncontrollably.His mouth worked silently, opening and closing without producing sound, resembling a fish thrown onto dry land. Sweat beaded on his forehead despite the unnatural cold, trickling down his temples.The moment stretched unnaturally into what felt like hours.Zavian straightened his rumpled shirt with slow, almost ceremonial motions. His eyes never left Richard's face, pinning him in place like a butterfly to a collection board. "Emmeline can sue you for domestic violence," he stated coolly. "Ask your lawyer about the consequences."The last remnants of Richard's confidence crumbled visibly. His shoulders sagged as though under an unbearable weight. His desperate, searching eyes turned to Yuna, silent
Zavian's fingers closed around Richard's throat and delivered a single, calculated punch to Richard's midsection without a flicker of emotion crossing his marble-carved features.The sound of impact echoed sickeningly in the hushed corridor.Richard doubled over with a strangled wheeze escaping his lips as the air violently fled his lungs. His knees buckled that only Zavian's iron grip on his throat kept him from collapsing entirely.The sudden violence caused ripple through the courthouse corridor. Several onlookers gasped and stepped back, creating a widening circle around the confrontation.The temperature plummeted so drastically that everyone visibly shivered. Zavian's eyes darkened to an obsidian void that reflected nothing. They were the eyes of something merciless that had merely been wearing a man's skin."Don't. You. Dare. Insult. Her!" Each word fell from Zavian's lips like an icicle shattering on stone—a voice that scraped along the primal fear centers of everyone who heard
Zavian's eyes burned with violence waiting to unleash. The intensity of his gaze made Richard unconsciously take another step back, some primitive part of his brain recognizing the presence of a superior predator."You won't get those hands back if you try it again!" Zavian threatened, straightening his collar with deliberate calm that contrasted sharply with the storm that still raged within him."I'm not one of your subordinates or your wife. I won't tolerate your tantrums or your hands on my person. Test me again, and you'll know exactly how unwise that would be!"The double meaning in his words sent a shiver down Emmeline's spine. To everyone else, it was a threat of legal consequences, perhaps physical retaliation but those familiar with him understood the true nature of the warning. If Richard pushed Zavian too far, the entities might break free, and there would be nothing left of Richard to prosecute or punish.Emmeline quickly placed her hand on Zavian's back. The contact see
Yuna's gaze flickered briefly to Emmeline, assessing her like a predator, before returning to Zavian. Her perfectly painted lips curved into the ghost of a smile that never reached her eyes—a smile that spoke of leverage yet to be deployed."Aren't you his attorney?" Zavian asked his wife pointedly… in a tone suggesting she should know better than allow her clients make such reckless accusations. "Perhaps you should advise your clients on the legal implications of their statements before her mouth writes checks her family can't afford to cash."Yuna's expression didn't change. However, one could notice a muscle jumping beneath the smooth skin of her jaw—the only indication that Zavian's words had hit their mark.Her eyes burned with an intensity that made Emmeline shiver despite the warmth of Zavian's embrace.Brody, who had been standing with Taehyung and Minnie behind them, stepped forward with a serious expression. His intervention was perfectly timed, adding legal weight to Zavian'
Maybe he's just stressed at work.Seduce him, entertain him. That's what people usually tell a married woman when she complains about being subjected to violence and abuse by her husband. My own family and friends said the same ignorant, victim-blaming bullshit.Their words echo in my head like a constant reminder of how alone I truly am in this nightmare.The brutal truth? I was repeatedly raped and assaulted under my own roof by my husband Richard. And the most ridiculous, infuriating thing I heard when I finally gathered the courage to turn to my family for help and support? "He'll change when he gets older! Boys will be boys!"Their dismissive, enabling attitudes made me feel even more isolated and trapped. It was as if they were complicit in my abuse, choosing to protect a monster rather than their own daughter and sister.Like, what about my wasted life? What about the trauma and suffering I've endured? The sleepless nights, the constant fear, the way my body tenses at the sligh...
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