CHAPTER SEVEN
1173 Words
I had never felt this cornered in my entire life.
My back was pressed against the wall, and he stood over me—close, too close—his arms caging me in like I had nowhere else to go. My skin prickled, heat rising uncontrollably as my thoughts scattered.
“I—I wasn’t planning to seduce you,” I stammered.
My eyes refused to stay in one place. Anywhere but his chest. Anywhere but him. But it was impossible not to notice—his bare skin, the sharp lines of his body, the quiet confidence in the way he stood like he already owned the air I was breathing.
“Liar.”
His voice dropped—low, dark, certain.
Before I could react, his fingers slid under my chin, lifting my face. My breath caught.
This wasn’t how this was supposed to go.
“No, please—you misunderstood—”
“Shh.” His grip tightened slightly. “Be still… kitten.”
The word didn’t sound like affection. It sounded like a warning.
My heart pounded so loudly I was sure he could hear it.
“Look at my lips,” he said.
I frowned, confused—and then winced when his fingers pressed a little firmer, forcing my focus exactly where he wanted it.
“I… I’m looking.”
“Good.” His voice softened—but it wasn’t kindness. It was something more dangerous. Controlled. Testing.
“Do you think they’re sexy?”
My breath hitched.
The question caught me completely off guard. And for a second—just one—I forgot everything else.
His lips were close. Too close.
And before I could stop myself, I noticed them. Smooth. Defined. Distracting.
My own lips parted slightly.
I shouldn’t be thinking this.
I shouldn’t be reacting like this.
But my body betrayed me anyway.
“I knew it.”
His voice snapped cold.
Just like that, he stepped back, creating distance between us as if I had done something wrong.
Reality crashed back in.
“What do you want from me?” he asked, his tone sharp now, almost angry.
I blinked, disoriented. “I—I’m sorry, I’ll just—”
A loud bang echoed.
I flinched as his fist hit the wall beside me.
Fear rushed through me instantly.
“I didn’t— I didn’t mean to—”
“You will sign that contract.”
Before I could react, he grabbed my wrist and dragged me into my room. I stumbled, barely keeping my balance as the door slammed open.
My heart raced.
This wasn’t the calm, distant man from before.
This was someone else entirely.
I hurried to my phone with trembling hands, opening the email. The contract stared back at me—cold, impersonal, final.
I hesitated.
Just for a second.
But I could feel him behind me. Watching. Waiting.
Pressuring.
My fingers moved before my courage could catch up.
I signed it.
“I—I’ve signed it,” I whispered, holding the phone up like proof.
“Good.”
He didn’t even look satisfied. Just… done.
Like I had fulfilled a requirement.
I felt him step away, the weight of his presence lifting slightly—until his voice stopped me again.
“The phone isn’t free. You’ll pay for it before this contract ends.”
Cold. Detached. Final.
Then he left.
Just like that.
The door clicked shut, and the silence that followed felt heavier than everything he had said.
My knees gave out.
I sank to the floor beside the bed, the tears coming before I could stop them.
Why was my life like this?
I thought this marriage would be an escape.
I knew he wouldn’t love me—I wasn’t foolish enough to expect that—but… was it too much to hope for basic kindness?
Respect?
Anything?
I replayed everything in my head, searching for something—anything—I had done wrong.
But there was nothing.
Nothing that explained the way he looked at me.
Like I was beneath him.
Like I was something he had been forced to tolerate.
That night, I cried myself to sleep on the floor.
⸻
I woke up gasping.
My chest heaved as I sat upright, my hand flying to my face.
No blood.
No pain.
Just a dream.
But it had felt so real.
The crash. The cold ground. The figure standing over me…
Familiar.
Too familiar.
I frowned, trying to piece it together—but it slipped away before I could hold onto it.
Shaking it off, I stood up.
It was still early.
Of course it was.
My body didn’t know how to rest anymore. Years of waking before sunrise had trained me too well.
I got ready quietly, dressing in a simple outfit. When I looked at myself in the mirror, I paused.
“You can do this,” I whispered.
Today would be different.
It had to be.
I stepped out into the hallway—and my eyes immediately drifted to his door.
I looked away.
No.
Not today.
I walked downstairs instead.
The house was just as overwhelming as before. Everything spotless. Perfect. Untouchable.
Just like him.
I made my way into the kitchen and stopped.
It was… huge.
Too clean.
Too expensive.
I suddenly felt out of place again.
What if I broke something?
That thought alone made me step back.
The phone.
I still had to pay for it.
I let out a small sigh and sat down.
“Ms. Rory?”
I jumped slightly, turning to see Kevin standing behind me.
“Good morning,” I said quickly, standing up.
He glanced at his watch, clearly surprised. “It’s 4 a.m.”
“Oh… I just wanted to make breakfast,” I said. “For—”
I paused.
“…Mr. Stark.”
He frowned slightly.
“Your husband,” he corrected gently.
The word felt unfamiliar.
Heavy.
“I’m sorry,” I said quietly.
“And… he won’t be needing breakfast,” Kevin added after a pause. “He left last night. For Paris. Urgent business.”
Something in my chest stilled.
“Oh.”
That was all I could say.
Of course he did.
Of course he left without a word.
Why would he tell me?
I forced a small smile. “I see.”
Kevin watched me for a moment, like he wanted to say something else—but didn’t.
“My number is on your phone,” he said instead. “Call me if you need anything.”
“Thank you.”
He left shortly after.
And just like that, I was alone again.
In a house that didn’t feel like mine.
In a marriage that didn’t feel real.
I looked around the massive space and let out a quiet, almost bitter laugh.
What was I expecting?
That he would stay?
That he would act like a husband?
I shook my head.
Once again, he had reminded me—without even being here—
I meant nothing.
- Writer
