Married To A Stranger

Chapter 13

Shaina’s Point of View

My body ached as Cloud carried me back to the car. His grip was firm yet careful, as if afraid I would break. I rested my head against his chest, his warmth grounding me.

The moment we got inside, he pulled a blanket over me, his jaw tight with unspoken anger.

“Where does it hurt?” he asked, his voice dangerously calm.

“I’m fine,” I whispered, even though pain throbbed through my body.

Cloud exhaled sharply, his fingers brushing over my bruised wrist. His expression darkened. “Lying doesn’t suit you.”

I looked away. I didn’t want to feel weak.

But as the car moved, exhaustion pulled me under.

I woke up in my bedroom, the air thick with tension. My body was sore, but the real weight pressing on me wasn’t physical.

The door creaked open.

Cloud walked in, his shirt slightly undone, sleeves rolled up as if he had just come from handling something serious. His movements were controlled, but his stormy expression sent a shiver down my spine.

He carried a tray of food and set it beside me. “Eat.”

I hesitated. “Cloud—”

“Eat, Shaina,” he repeated, his voice softer but firm.

I obeyed, taking a small bite of the soup. The warmth spread through me, a stark contrast to the icy rage radiating from Cloud.

He sat at the edge of the bed, eyes locked onto mine.

“Why did you go alone?”

I swallowed hard. “I thought… I thought it was my mom.”

His jaw clenched. “Sofia tricked you.”

I looked down. “I should’ve known.”

Cloud let out a slow breath. “She won’t get away with this.”

There was something final in his voice, something unshakable.

Before I could say anything, the door suddenly burst open.

Cloud’s Point of View

Sofia stood in the doorway, a twisted smile on her lips.

“Oh, dear sister,” she cooed. “You look awful.”

I immediately stepped between her and Shaina. My patience was gone.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice as sharp as a blade.

Sofia sighed dramatically. “Relax. I just came to check on my beloved sister.”

Shaina tensed behind me, her grip tightening on the blanket.

I took a step forward, towering over Sofia. “You lost the right to call her family the moment you hired people to hurt her.”

Sofia let out a fake laugh. “Cloud, you make it sound like I personally laid a hand on her.”

My fists clenched. “You did.”

Her smirk wavered for a second before she regained her usual arrogance. “Alright, fine. Maybe things got… a little out of hand. But if you had just listened to me before, this wouldn’t have happened.”

Shaina’s weak but determined voice cut through the air. “You want me gone.”

Sofia’s smirk widened. “Finally, you’re catching on.”

I had enough.

I turned to the security standing by the door. “Escort her out.”

Sofia’s face fell. “Excuse me?”

I stepped even closer, my voice low and deadly. “Listen carefully. You are never setting foot in this house again.”

Sofia blinked in shock before she scoffed. “You can’t be serious.”

I arched a brow. “Try me.”

She looked at Shaina, then back at me. Realization dawned on her—she had finally pushed too far.

But I wasn’t finished.

As she turned to leave, I spoke again, my tone ice-cold.

“Oh, and one more thing.”

She stopped.

“You and your family’s company?” I said slowly. “Consider it ruined.”

Sofia whirled around, eyes widening in disbelief. “You wouldn’t dare.”

I smirked, the kind of smirk that sent shivers down people’s spines. “Watch me.”

Her face twisted with fury. “You can’t just destroy our business! That company is everything to us!”

I tilted my head. “And Shaina was nothing to you. You were ready to throw her away, so I’ll do the same to your precious empire.”

Before she could respond, her phone rang.

She hesitated, then answered. The moment she did, the color drained from her face.

I already knew who it was.

Her father.

“Dad—” she started, but an enraged voice cut through the speaker.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, SOFIA?!"

Sofia flinched. “I—I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Cloud Whitley just pulled out of every single deal with us! Our investors are panicking! The stocks are dropping! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU’VE DONE?!”

Sofia’s eyes darted to me, filled with panic. “Dad, I can fix this—”

“Fix it? FIX IT?! I TOLD YOU TO STAY OUT OF TROUBLE! YOU JUST RUINED US!”

The call cut off.

Sofia stood frozen, her face pale.

I took a slow step forward, enjoying the fear in her eyes. “You thought you could hurt my wife and walk away?” I whispered. “You thought there wouldn’t be consequences?”

Sofia swallowed hard. “Cloud… please…”

I leaned in, lowering my voice. “You made your choice. Now live with it.”

With that, I turned my back on her.

Security grabbed her arms and dragged her away as she screamed in frustration.

The moment she was gone, I let out a slow breath, trying to shake off the burning anger still coursing through me.

Then I turned back to Shaina.

She was staring at me, her expression unreadable.

“You… really did that?” she whispered.

I shrugged, sitting beside her. “I told you. No one hurts you and gets away with it.”

For a moment, there was silence. Then, to my surprise, Shaina let out a small, shaky laugh.

“What?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

She shook her head. “Nothing. Just… no one’s ever fought for me like this before.”

I smirked, leaning back. “Get used to it.”

She blushed, looking away.

And just like that, the tension in my chest loosened.

Sofia was out of our lives. Her father was dealing with the downfall of their company.

And Shaina?

She was finally, finally safe.

For now.