The Vow we break

Chapter four

Crossing Lines

Maya’s POV

Adrian's hand grabbed the steering wheel firmly and knuckled white as soon as the door closed. He said nothing, but I could see his resentment boiling just below the surface.

"What do you think you are doing?" He insisted, his voice hardly under control. " Running around the city with other men?"

I looked at him, defiance growing in me. "Luca is a buddy from long ago. Someone who really does worry about me.

His voice dropped to a menacing whisper as his hands tightened even further and he lunged forward. "You are part of me, Maya. You cannot simply go off and act innocent with another person.

"Belong to you?," I scoffed furiously. "You hardly ever glance at me. You seldom ever talk to me. What should I be thinking about? You left me alone after marrying me.

Something dark, something unreadable flashed in his eyes. "Remember Maya, you selected this if you are looking for a husband. Act not shocked when I confirm you will keep your part of the bargain.

The automobile slid to stop in front of our building, but I was unable to move; his comments seemed like a physical blow. Keep my end of the deal? I repeated, sensing the last bits of my will breaking. "What do you mean by that?”

He did not reply. Rather, he opened his door with deliberate, under control motions. " Get out of the car."

So definite, the directive left little room for debate and I followed him inside, feeling the walls closing in on me once again. But I saw this was more than control as we entered the elevator—the quiet buzzing between us. This proved to be a trap.

One I might never be free from.

Every inch of this apartment seemed meant to keep me in order, a sparkling cage covered with silk bedding and valuable paintings. Every stride I made reverberated through the hollow halls, reminding me of how alone I was in this unusual new life. My fists tightened as I approached the bend toward the office, where Adrian had walled himself away for hours without saying. My tolerance was running thin, if I had any at all.

I stayed silent. I forced myself to stand upright as Adrian peered up from behind his immaculate desk, one eyebrow lifted, by pushing the door open. "Is this an emergency?” His voice was soft yet frigid.

Not ready to let him scare me, I crossed my arms. Is a discussion too much to demand? You cannot simply bury me here and expect me to be... to be—“

"Grateful?" he said, his eyes focusing narrowly.

Yes, precisely! I seized. "I am not your prisoner; I am not sure what kind of arrangement you believe this is."

Leaning back in his chair, he studied me with an enigmatic look. "You arrived into this marriage Maya, with eyes open. Nobody urged you.

"No one made me do it?" Though it came out broken and sour, I chuckled. Do you even find yourself hearing yourself? My family's downfall or this marriage was the option I had to choose from. That is not a decision Adrian.

Rising gently, he moved across the desk until he was only inches from me. The fire emanating from him, the silent strength he wore like second skin, felt like "Tell me, then," he asked gently. "What do you wish for??"

I gulped; his attention made looking away difficult. "I seek... I murmured, my voice no more than a whisper: I want my freedom.

Though he grinned, it was not fun. "Freedom?" His eyes were sharp, almost contemptuous. And how would you use it?

"Everything," I said back. "Everything but this. I would much prefer to be destitute and free than caught in a marriage where I am just a handy tool.

Adrian stepped forward, his jaw clenched and his gaze darkened. "Convenient asset," he said, his voice perilously low. Allow me to be clear, Maya. You are not here for convenience. I picked you hence you are here. I could have dropped your family off with nothing. But I neglected it. You were handed this existence and this future.

I said, "This life isn't mine," feeling his words weigh down on me. "You created and gold painted a cage."

He stayed silent. Rather, he moved another step toward me, his fingers stretching to raise my chin till I was compelled to stare into his eyes. " careful, Maya. You are not positioned to demand anything.

My heart thumping, I shot back, trying to keep my voice calm. Perhaps not. Still, I will not be quiet. I will not be the person you expect of me.

He stopped momentarily, his thumb only caressing gently along my jaw. The air between us seemed electrified, electrifying, and something in his countenance softened just momentarily. But just as rapidly, his eyes turned harsh once again and he released me.

Quietly moving back, he whispered, "I'm giving you everything." "Don't cause me to regret it.

He turned, discounting me as though our argument had only shook the basis of my existence. I inhaled shakily, attempting to cool the whirl of feelings inside me. This man would hurt with his warped sense of control and his capacity for accurate knowledge declaration. I didn't know I wanted to or comprehend him.

I cannot, however, deny the reality. Though I hated him, like a moth to a flame there was a part of me pulled to him.

I said nothing more in the office, but his remarks stuck with me long after I closed the door behind me. With each step I took echoing along the silent hallways, my heart felt as weighty as the quiet of the penthouse. I could depart; could not I? If I had the guts, I could just go out and—

A sound halted me squarely in my tracks. From the hall close to the elevator, a low, steady beep. As I got closer, my heart accelerated and I looked down at a little gadget wedged beneath the baseboard.

a cell phone. Affordable, almost invisible... but by what means had it arrived?

I grabbed it and glanced over my shoulder to see Adrian nowhere close by. The phone screen came up and had a single message glowing on it.

You truly are someone else. If you want answers, see me tomorrow at midnight.

I stopped to catch my breath.