Bonus chapter. :)
Emmeline's brows shot upward in surprise but quickly complied. She plunged her hand into the heavy wool to found something long and slender nestled in the depths. Her eyes were flaming with sheer shock as she gripped it tightly and pulled it free."You...you brought a carrot?" she gasped. "I can't believe you actually thought to bring a carrot, like you knew I'd want to build a snowman!"Zavian's lips curved ever so slightly. "It's quite simple to anticipate your behavior, little one. Especially when it comes to such childishly whimsical pursuits."Emmeline ducked her head to hide her cheeks flushing a brilliant red. "I suppose I should feel bad for being so predictable," she murmured. "But I'm mostly just relieved you care enough to indulge me like this."Zavian's hand was on her cheek before she could respond, sending a lovely thrill of feeling down her spine with the coldness of his fingers.Emmeline instinctively leaned into his touch, her lashes sweeping down to veil her eyes."I
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
The staggering height difference between his muscular 6'2" frame and my petite 5'3" made me feel even more powerless and insignificant in his presence. I could smell his cologne, the same scent that used to make me weak in the knees but now just made me nauseous."I am a man, whether you like it or not," he growled, his hot breath reeking of stale coffee and cigarettes fanning across my face.I tried not to gag."A real man, not some weak little pussy-whipped bitch like you want to turn me into." He added through gritted teeth, turning off the burner on the stove before I could with his other hand.The pan's contents was now a blackened, smoky, inedible mess. Just like our relationship.I stared at the ruined food, which was a perfect metaphor for my life."You're the one who's unfit - unfit for this house, unfit for my bed, unfit for my seed." His cruel words stabbed at my femininity and my sense of self-worth like a rusty knife.I thought of the pregnancy test I'd taken in secret la
At 10 am sharp, the moving crew of four large, burly men arrived to empty our modest city apartment of all our belongings.I trailed behind the massive truck carrying our furniture and possessions in a taxi, giving them directions to the new, high-end neighborhood.My stomach churned with anxiety as we approached our new home, knowing that this move would only serve to further isolate me from my support system and give Richard more control over my life.Achrafieh Hill contained only three luxurious mansions spaced extremely far apart - each one trying to outdo the other in grandeur and excess.One particular property occupied a massive, sprawling area surrounded by towering iron gates and a security checkpoint. It was not our new place, of course—Richard didn't make that much, at least not yet.But I had no doubt he aspired to own such a fortress one day, further cutting me off from the outside world.I paid the taxi driver and headed over to the four brawny workers, addressing them a
"Looks like you need some help there."The painting obscured my view, so I didn't realize it was a man until his rich, husky voice flowed into my ears from behind me.I tilted my head to the right and my gaze landed on the sculpted, exquisite features of a very handsome stranger.He was easily over 6 feet tall, with sharp, masculine features - eyes that crinkled becomingly at the corners and a head of perfectly tousled black hair.An air of quiet confidence and self-assuredness radiated from him in waves that were utterly breathtaking.For a moment, I forgot how to breathe."Leave it, I'll carry it for you," he stated firmly in a way that was authoritative and wouldn't take no for an answer.There was something about his demeanor that both irritated and intrigued me.And because I've always detested being ordered around or having my capabilities underestimated, I immediately objected with a shake of my head.The sweaty strands of hair that had escaped my bun tickled my cheek. "It's ok
For the next few hours, I threw myself into the task of cleaning and organizing.I carefully hung up my and Richard's clothes in the spacious walk-in closet, trying not to dwell on how my modest wardrobe barely filled a quarter of the available space.My husband's designer suits and expensive shoes, on the other hand, seemed right at home in such luxurious surroundings.Evening approached.I decided to take a break from unpacking and do some baking instead.Cooking had always been a source of comfort for me, a way to center myself when life felt chaotic or overwhelming.I spent the next hour or so in the gleaming gourmet kitchen, losing myself in the familiar rhythms of measuring, mixing, and folding.The result of my efforts was two batches of my signature cakes – one a rich chocolate fudge, the other a delicate lemon poppyseed.As they cooled on the marble countertop, filling the air with their tempting aromas, I carefully packed them into decorative boxes I had bought specifically
Minnie returned rather quickly. She set a plate of cookies on the coffee table between us, smothered her short white sundress, and plopped down next to me in a casual, friendly manner."I was planning to visit your house a little later after the twins came back from daycare to officially welcome you to the neighborhood," she said with a friendly laugh. "But you beat me to it! I'm so glad you did, though."My eyes widened in astonishment at her words. "Twins? You're...you're a mother?" I sputtered out, feeling a bit foolish for my surprise.I tried to reconcile the image of this youthful, vibrant woman before me with that of a mother of two.Minnie giggled audibly. "Why do you look so shocked? Do you think motherhood isn't suitable for a woman like me?" She arched one finely sculpted eyebrow teasingly, but there was no malice in her tone.I waved my hand in denial, flustered and trying to backpedal. "No, no, that's not what I meant at all! I just... you look so young and..." I trailed
I could sense a hint of... envy or resentment in Minnie's tone.She hugged her arms dramatically, unable to contain a slightly exaggerated shiver. "Even their way of dealing with people and socializing is completely different from normal folks. The Blackthorn couple were called the Ice Duo by society's elite circles. Can you believe that? Who would want such a chilly nickname?"She looked at the small cake she had placed on the table earlier with clear pity in her gaze as if even the dessert might wilt under the Blackthorns' frosty demeanor."You'll have to go over there and officially greet them after leaving my house," Minnie said with a warning edge that made me sit up straighter. "It's expected in our little community. But don't feel too afraid of my words about them. It's not like they'll actually devour you or anything!"She attempted a small laugh that sounded forced and did little to ease the sudden knot of anxiety in my stomach.I swallowed nervously, and my mouth suddenly dr
Emmeline's brows shot upward in surprise but quickly complied. She plunged her hand into the heavy wool to found something long and slender nestled in the depths. Her eyes were flaming with sheer shock as she gripped it tightly and pulled it free."You...you brought a carrot?" she gasped. "I can't believe you actually thought to bring a carrot, like you knew I'd want to build a snowman!"Zavian's lips curved ever so slightly. "It's quite simple to anticipate your behavior, little one. Especially when it comes to such childishly whimsical pursuits."Emmeline ducked her head to hide her cheeks flushing a brilliant red. "I suppose I should feel bad for being so predictable," she murmured. "But I'm mostly just relieved you care enough to indulge me like this."Zavian's hand was on her cheek before she could respond, sending a lovely thrill of feeling down her spine with the coldness of his fingers.Emmeline instinctively leaned into his touch, her lashes sweeping down to veil her eyes."I
They wandered for several minutes until they reached a secluded alcove tucked away from prying eyes, the pristine snowbanks blanketing the area completely undisturbed.No sooner had Zavian released her hand than Emmeline whirled around, bending to scoop up a handful of fresh snow. She molded it into a tightly compacted sphere before whipping around and pelting him squarely in the chest.Her laughter rang out in bright, crystalline peals. "You want to declare war on me again, old man?" she taunted, taking a few steps back as she cupped her hands behind her back in a mockery of innocence.Zavian's expression remained impassive, but the glint of challenge sparking to life in his eyes gave away his amusement at her playful antics. "I'll have you know, I may be way older than you in age only - I'm still serious as a heart attack when it comes to defending my honor."He bent at the waist and scooped up a thick mass of snow, using quick, economical movements to compress and shape it into a c
Emmeline's eyes flew wide at Zavian's bold suggestion. "Have you lost your mind, sir?" she gasped, whipping her head toward the panoramic window to gaze out at the clouds drifting lazily by.She turned back to pin him with a furrowed, incredulous stare. "You can't seriously expect me to...to ride you and rock your manhood while we're hanging suspended in midair!"She made a move as if to pull away, only to be thwarted by the iron band of the fingers still wrapped possessively around her throat. "The gondola is dangling from a cable in the sky, for heaven's sake!"Zavian's lips twitched with wry amusement, his thumb skimming the thundering pulse at the base of her neck. "It was merely a spontaneous suggestion, little one. The decision is entirely yours."He relaxed his hold when noticed her brief panic had subsided, letting his palm trace a winding route over the thin column of her throat. "You're the sole culprit responsible for my current...condition. You know my penchant for indulgi
The descent to the ground floor was a tense affair, every shadow seeming to harbor potential witnesses to her clandestine rendezvous. But the corridors remained blissfully deserted, allowing her to reach the cable car station without incident.Zavian stood alone amid the milling crowds, his dashing physique encased in a long black coat that he'd left casually unbuttoned.Emmeline's breath hitched at the sight of him."Mr. Blackthorn!" she called out to announce her presence.Zavian’s ruggedly handsome features softened into an achingly tender smile. "Little girl.”They closed the distance between them in a few strides. His arms band around her slender frame, crushing her against the solid wall of his chest in a fierce, yearning embrace."You don't know how I've been dying to hold you again," he said, nuzzling the crown of her head through the soft fabric of her hat. "It feels like an eternity since yesterday."Emmeline stiffened at first with lingering trepidation over their risky try
Emmeline was only vaguely aware of the sounds of Richard's return much later that night, feigning sleep until his presence faded from her consciousness entirely.What felt like mere moments later, she was jolted back into wakefulness by the harsh grip of his hands clamped around her shoulders, shaking her roughly."Wake up, Emmeline!" Richard's gruff voice barked in her ear. "It's already past ten - we have an appointment to keep with the others at the sauna in half an hour!"Groaning softly, Emmeline allowed her eyes to flutter open as she shrugged his hands away with a mumbled protest. "I'm awake already, Richard. There's no need to jostle me like I'm in a coma."She thought he'd heeded her words when his hands fell away from her shoulders, but the resounding crack of his palm against her backside made her bolt upright with a strangled yelp of shock and pain."I said wake up!" He snarled with a dangerous combination of impatience and displeasure. "Not lounge about like a lazy trollo
"They all witnessed us exchange that overblown French kiss this evening. If Taehyung does decide to share what he thinks he saw, they'll be more inclined to believe his version of events after that little display,” Emmeline murmured absently.Her eyes shone with the depths of her lingering fear and uncertainty as she turned to face him fully. "I'm still not convinced we can simply trust that Taehyung will remain silent, despite your attempts to reassure me. I don't like the idea of our fate being in someone else's hands like this."Zavian shifted until they were toe-to-toe, his palms cradling her face as he stared down at her with an intensity that made her feel cherished and protected despite the circumstances."I understand your trepidation, little girl. If I were in your position, I'd be feeling just as apprehensive and afraid. Your relationship with Taehyung is still relatively new and superficial - you haven't had the chance to truly get to know him or what kind of man he is."Em
Taehyung’s gaze darted between Emmeline and Zavian, his brows knitting together in shock and something darker—suspicion, maybe even accusation.Emmeline’s stomach plummeted. Fear coiled around her chest like a steel vice, tightening with every passing second of silence. Her palms grew clammy as her heart pounded erratically in her chest. One of their acquaintances had caught them red-handed emerging from a decidedly compromising situation.She wanted to speak, to offer some excuse or explanation, but her throat refused to cooperate. Instead, she turned desperately to Zavian, silently pleading for him to meet her gaze and offer some reassurance, but his attention remained fixated on Taehyung with an eerie calmness that did little to soothe her fraying nerves.The tense silence stretched unbearably until Zavian finally broke it with a confident, measured tone.“Emmeline wasn’t feeling well. I found her in the hallway looking faint, so I accompanied her to the ladies’ room to make sure s
Emmeline’s brows knitted with tortured pleasure as she ground her cheek against the wall with a muffled groan. "I need you, Zavian..." she begged sultrily.His wicked tongue swirled along the delicate whorls of her ear, driving her insane with unfulfilled lust. "What exactly do you need, little girl? Use your words."Releasing the scrap of lace, Zavian spread his palm over the firm curve of her ass.His very presence there made Emmeline’s aching pussy grow even wetter as she squeezed her eyes shut. "Your fingers...I need you to fuck me with your fingers, please."Zavian grinned wickedly. He sucked the sensitive point of her ear into his mouth, sighing against the heated flesh in a deliberately seductive tone. "Say it again… the magic word!" He urged, trailing just the tip of his finger along her clothed, swollen folds and smirked at the unconscious whimper that spilled from her parted lips."Please!" Emmeline echoed with desperation.“Good girl!” Zavian praised.With that, he pushed t
Zavian seized Emmeline’s chin firmly and tipped it back up with a commanding air when she lowered her heavy-lidded eyes to concentrate on licking every inch of his pulsing, hot girth. "Eyes on me while you pleasure me, little one! I want to see the sin in those eyes as you worship me."Emmeline blinked at him lazily while maintaining his heated, lust-darkened gaze, her eyes blazing with desire just as brightly as his. "I won't miss a single moment of watching your face as I use your thick manhood as a leash to drag you into the depths of hell with me.""That's my good girl. Now put it in that sensual mouth and make me feel it." He commanded.Emmeline stretched her lips wide and sucked the bulbous head past her teeth with a muffled moan, taking him inch by delicious inch until her jaw strained and ached to accommodate his remarkable girth."Fuck, I miss the snug grip of your narrow walls squeezing my dick, almost tearing those tiny lips as I force my way into your depths."Emmeline hel