Bound To Alpha Costello

Natasha POV “You need to pay attention to what I have to say. Mira will be staying with us,” he yelled. “Also, she’s knows well about her food, so I’d like you to get used to preparing the dishes she loves. Did you hear that?” I stood there, staring at my husband and listening to everything he had to say, since I didn’t have the courage to oppose him. “And again, she’s not used to sleeping alone, so I’d like you to pack your things and leave our room. There are other rooms, you can sleep in any of them,” he added. Without bothering to respond, I picked up my suitcase that I had already prepared and walked toward the door. “Ma’am, you don’t…” our butler tried to stop me, but Lorenzo was loud, his mocking laugh stopping her. “Let her go, stopping her makes her feels too important. But I am very sure she wouldn’t last some hours out there before she comes back crawling to apologize,” he said. Suddenly, everyone burst into laughter. Tears stung my eyes as I struggled to understand how my own husband could humiliate me like this. Before I could reach the door, they placed a two-million bet—wagering that I wouldn’t last a day without coming to beg Lorenzo. The truth was, they were unaware that this time, my mind was made up. They were too caught up in the idea that I had no one to turn to, but this time, I was ready to prove them all wrong. I was leaving, never to come back again. Just as I opened the door, he called out to me. “Natasha!” Then I turned to face him. “What if you leave the amulet?” he asked. “Why should I give you my amulet? It belongs to me” I looked down at my wrist holding onto it. “Mira needs that more than you do. She’s been having terrible dreams, and it’s bad for her condition.” He said. The amulet was the only thing my mother had left for me, and I was surprised Lorenzo would even demand that I give it back, knowing how much I loved and cherished it. My eyes were red, filled with unspoken feelings. Did he really expect me to hand it over? I shook my head as I took some steps backward. “If you can’t give it out freely, name your price, I’ll pay for it,” he said. It was saddening that he thought he could buy out all my years in this marriage. Literally, I couldn’t put a price on the emptiness and pain of wandering through a loveless marriage. I recalled when Mira demanded for a dress I was putting on, Lorenzo had demanded I take off the dress and give it to her. Before I could even say no, he strip off the dress that I was wearing and I was naked. Knowing what would happen if I refused, I reluctantly took off the amulet and handed it over to him. “I wish the child in your womb is fine. I pray he or she is safe and sound.” I told her. Though it hurts me a lot that he’s treating me this way but I tried not to let it show. To ease himself of his guilt, he offered me what he termed a “prime opportunity.” “If you act well, the child can also be yours,” he said. I swallowed hard, and then he took the amulet. Immediately, the one on Mira’s waist fell to the ground and broke into pieces. A shard cut her leg, causing her to bleed so much. With a look of sheer panic on his face, Lorenzo swept Mira into his arms, cradling her as if she might shatter at any moment. “Come on! Call the doctor!” he screamed at the butler to call the family doctor. Everyone turned to me and gave me a mocking look. It isn’t their fault, because I also found myself laughable. I remembered last night when I got a stomach attack—Lorenzo didn’t bother about me. He simply commanded the butler to sanitize the entire building so that I wouldn’t affect Mira and her baby. I took the suitcase and was about leaving when he furiously held my hands and commanded. “Who told you that you can go? Apologize to her right away.” This look really awkward, I should apologize to her for what? Suddenly, he punched me in the face and kicked my legs, causing me to fall to my knees. He accused me of being responsible for what just happened and without arguing, I apologized to her. I grinned knowingly. ‘Sorry’ has become my default phrase since marrying Lorenzo. Whether Mira misses her doctor’s appointment or Lorenzo oversleeps for a meeting, I’m the one apologizing. It's like I'm responsible for everyone else’s actions. Even if Mira vomits after eating a meal she’s prepared herself, I still say sorry. Lorenzo woke up late and missed his business meeting—I say sorry. It’s no longer a new thing to me. I’d gotten used to it. Taking a deep breath, I went on my knees as if I were greeting an empress. “I’m so sorry. I never mean to hurt you, ma’am.” I turned around to face Lorenzo. “Are you okay with this?” I asked him. His gaze fixed in on my knees pressed against the broken amulet. “To hell with this pretense… no one’s going to sympathize with you!” Before I could even say a word, the family doctor walked in, pushing me out of the way and rushing to where Mira is. It's clear now. I was no longer a priority to Lorenzo.