The Billionaire's Captive Heart

GIANNA Time suspended, and I stood helplessly paralyzed, the bathroom’s sterile silence suffocating me. With trembling fingers, I clutched the pregnancy strip tightly. Hope flickered, maybe.... just maybe it was a mistake. I stared, half-expecting the lines to vanish, but it stared right back at me. I wished this was just a figment of my imagination, but it wasn’t. Right, there were two pink lines and I didn’t need a doctor to tell me it meant positive. My hands instinctively flew to my mouth, muffling the sob that threatened to escape. For years, this, was my nightmare and finally, it was here. “How long will it take you to get ready and come here, Gianna?!” Shane yelled from the bedroom and I hurriedly returned the strip to where I had found it, where it was ‘safely kept’. I tried to fake a smile as I wiped my tears and took a deep breath. I wished the strip was mine. I wished I could give Shane a child but how could i? How could I conceive when he hadn’t even touched me, not even for once ever since we got married? “Hey! What took you so long to come? Wouldn’t you love to make tonight, our wedding night, unforgettable?” He held me close to himself. The pungent stench of liquor kissed my nostrils the moment he opened his mouth to speak. Alcohol laced kisses trailed down my neck as his intoxicated hands nudged me to the bed, his body following. “It’s our wedding anniversary night and not our wedding night.” I corrected, my voice lifeless as I stared blankly into space. “Ahh, what difference does it make?” He argued, the disgusting stench from his mouth kissing my nose made me nauseous yet I had to lay there, beneath him This had been my dream.... for years. For years, I had longed for his tender gazes, his passionate embraces.... I had longed for his touch and his eyes burning for desire for me. I had dreamt of him making love to me even if he had to be drunk. After four years, that dream finally came true but.... i didn’t want it anymore. “I am sorry....” I pushed him off and sat up, adjusting my night wear and taking a deep breath. Perhaps, this was the only time I had ever stood up for myself in this shackle of a marriage but I was willing to stand my ground this time. “I am not ready.” I insisted. “Stop pretending, darling.” He slurred, his voice laced with condescension. “I know you have always wanted me. you have always wanted me to make love to you. Come on, Sarah.... Vivian. Uhm... Gianna. I know you want this. I know you want it.” He tried to pushed me back to the bed but I resisted. Vivian? Sarah? I scoffed and shook my head. Perhaps, those were the girls he made out with before I returned. Shane stumbled forward, his hands grasping for me, trying to pull me onto the bed again. “I am your husband, Gianna!” He growled. “You should be ready for me anytime and any day.” His face twisted in a drunken sneer. “No.” I pushed his hands off me, prepared for whatever it was. I couldn’t imagine offering myself to such type of man after he had practically humiliated me by rubbing his infidelity in my face. Surprisingly, he scoffed, muttered some words and laid gently on his own side of the bed, sleeping peacefully like nothing had happened. Taking a deep breath, I walked over to the window. My gaze diverted to Shane who seemed to be having a very peaceful sleep. No, he didn’t deserve that! How could he sleep so comfortably after all he had done? I travelled a month back to beg a potential client to work with him and now, I finally return to meet what? A pregnancy strip confirming another woman’s pregnancy for my husband? I was about to leave when I saw Lilian’s hair bonnet behind the drawer. Scorn danced on my lips. Who knew what she was up to this time? Perhaps, pitching another bride for her brother? She never seemed to be able to live for a second without Shane, her brother. It was however quite surprising how they were able to live apart for the whole of their childhood. Needless to say, she was a thorn in my flesh. I took a stride downstairs and walked into the visitor’s room instead. I would rather sleep there than sleep with Shane on the same bed. I couldn’t trust him that much to spend another night on the same bed with him. I couldn’t let him take advantage of me. ** I hurriedly set the table as I heard the sound of water running in the bathroom. As Shane descended the stairs, his confident strides commanding attention, I felt a familiar flutter in my chest. For a moment, I forgot. I forgot the pain, the lies and the betrayal. His chiseled features, the sharp jawline and piercing eyes...... I had been captivated by that very same charm, that handsome face that made me blind to all he had subjected me to. “Your breakfast is ready.” I cleared my throat. Shane simply ignored as his brows carved into a frown. Without uttering a word to me, he proceeded to get his car keys. I followed him like a puppet, unsure of how to say the words until his phone rang. “Hey......” He started and I watched his eyes sparkle. “I will see you soon. Do take care of yourself.” He muttered before ending the call and turning to me. “I won’t be coming home tonight. Take care of my house.” He commanded with arrogance. “I.... I need to speak to you.” I cleared my throat, summoning up courage once again. He strode towards the door, his confidence bordering on arrogance. “Take one of my credit cards and get whatever it is we need.” He said over his shoulder, not bothering to face me. Did he really think a simple swipe of his credit card could erase everything? “It’s not that.” I said, my voice firm. “We need to talk.” Shane paused, his hand on the doorknob and he turned to me with an air of annoyance. He scoffed, his expression dismissive. “Whatever you have to say can wait. You have to wait till I return. You cannot keep me waiting for my....” Something inside me snapped. Maybe it was the condescension or the cumulative weight of his indifference and lack of respect to me which became pretty obvious ever since I saw that strip last night. “I want a divorce.” I said, the words tumbling out of my mouth before I could change my mind. His eyes narrowed, his grin twisting into a sneer. “What?” “I. Want. A. Divorce.” I repeated, ensuring to make each word deliberate. I had been a fool for love but not anymore.