Chapter 4

Ariana stood transfixed, staring at Nathaniel who now wore an expression full of contempt. His words just now were still echoing in her head. A tramp? How inferior was she in the eyes of the man she had married five years ago?

"I'd rather be homeless than live in this hell!" Ariana exclaimed, her voice filled with years of pent-up hurt.

Nathaniel looked at her with a mocking grin. "Don't be ridiculous, Ariana. You have no one. You have no money. Without me, you're nothing."

Ariana felt her heart sink. She knew Nathaniel had said that to break her confidence, to keep her under his control.

But this time, she would not submit again.

With trembling hands, Ariana took a deep breath. "I'd rather leave with some pride left than remain here as an unconsidered wife."

Nathaniel approached, his tall body towering over Ariana. His eyes flashed sharply, full of dominance. "You want to leave? Try it, Ariana. See how far you can go without me."

Ariana's throat went dry, but she would not show weakness. She had to leave. Tonight.

With quick steps, she turned and headed for her room. Her hands shook as she reached for the suitcase under the bed. She didn't need much, just some clothes and important documents.

However, just as she pulled the suitcase out, heavy footsteps sounded behind her.

"Are you really leaving?" Nathaniel's voice was so close, and when Ariana turned her head, she found him standing in the doorway with a dark expression.

Ariana gulped, her heart skipping a beat. "Yes," she replied softly but firmly.

Nathaniel grinned sarcastically. "You think this is a joke? I'm not letting you go that easily."

Ariana steeled her heart, grabbed her suitcase and walked past Nathaniel. However, before she could go any further, the man's strong hand grabbed her arm roughly.

"I told you not to leave," Nathaniel whispered, his voice cold as ice.

Ariana held her breath. The cold in the room was now suffocating, but she couldn't give in. She looked directly into the man's eyes.

"You can't keep me forever, Nathaniel."

For a moment, the man was silent, but then, his grip tightened. "I can. And I will."

Fear began to creep into Ariana's chest. However, she couldn't show her weakness now. She had to think fast.

With all her might, she withdrew her arm, then took a step back. "If you really loved me, you wouldn't treat me like this."

Nathaniel gave her a long look before chuckling. "Love you? Ariana, I never even considered you existed."

That statement was a dagger straight to Ariana's heart.

She didn't. She couldn't stay here.

Without thinking, she turned and ran for the front door. However, after only a few steps, Nathaniel was already standing there, blocking her way.

"I told you, you're not leaving."

Ariana looked at Nathaniel with teary eyes. "Do you want me to die in this house, Nathaniel? Is that what you want?"

Nathaniel didn't answer. He just stared at her silently, as if weighing something.

Ariana gritted her teeth. If she couldn't leave on good terms, then she would find another way.

With all her might, she grabbed the vase on the table and raised it high.

"If you don't let me go, I'll destroy everything in this house!" she shouted with determined eyes.

Nathaniel looked surprised, but then he just snorted. "Crazy woman."

Ariana didn't care. She took a step, preparing to throw the vase to the floor-

"Stop!" Nathaniel's voice echoed through the room.

Ariana gasped, her hands still raised, but she didn't move. She stared at the man with bated breath.

They stared at each other in tense silence.

"I won't let you go," Nathaniel said again, his voice lower this time, deeper.

But this time, Ariana didn't care.

With eyes full of determination, she said, "I will go. Whether you allow it or not."

"You want money, right? Fine, I'll give you the money for your facial surgery, but on one condition?"